NCJ Number
56868
Journal
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 81-91
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
FOURTEEN CASES OF INTERROGATION UNDER HYPNOSIS OF WITNESSES AND VICTIMS OF CRIME, DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH DIFFERENT CALIFORNIA POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND ATTORNEYS, ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
HYPNOSIS IN THE HANDS OF PROFESSIONALS CAN BE OF VALUABLE SERVICE TO THE COURT. IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, SOME OF THE INFORMATION OBTAINED IN HYPNOSIS HAS BEEN ACCEPTED AS EVIDENCE IN LAW COURTS, IN SPITE OF THE LEGAL STATUS OF HYPNOSIS IN THE UNITED STATES. EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF CRIMES ARE OFTEN CLOUDED BY THE ANXIETY EXPERIENCED AT THE TIME; THE USE OF HYPNOSIS OFTEN HELPS AN EYEWITNESS MORE ACCURATELY RECALL THE INCIDENT, INCLUDING MANY IMPORTANT DETAILS OTHERWISE NOT REMEMBERED. IT IS STATED THAT SO-CALLED HALLUCINATION RECALL WILL GIVE MORE DETAILS THAN ANY OTHER MEMORY RECALL NOW KNOWN. ALL BUT THE FIRST OF THE HYPNOSIS SESSIONS WITH THE WITNESSES IN THESE 14 CASES WERE RECORDED ON VIDEOTAPE NOW ON FILE. THIS WAS DONE TO HAVE THE RECORDS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED BY THE COURTS, FOR USE IN TEACHING, AND TO ALLOW FURTHER ANALYSIS OF THE FINDINGS REPORTED. FOURTEEN CASES ARE OUTLINED TO ILLUSTRATE THE APPROACH AND RATIONALE OF THE HYPNOTISTS. THE ARTICLE STRESSES THAT INTERROGATION OF INDICATED PEOPLE SHOULD BE DONE ONLY AS AN EXCEPTION. FURTHERMORE, THE IDEAL CASE FOR HYPNOSIS INTERROGATION IS WITH A WITNESS OR VICTIM WHERE INFORMATION IS OBTAINED LEADING TO EVIDENCE WHICH WILL STAND UP IN COURT WITHOUT THE NEED TO PRESENT HYPNOSIS INTERROGATION. GUIDELINES FOR SUCH INTERROGATION ARE PRESENTED. OF THE 13 CASES WHERE HYPNOSIS WAS ACTUALLY UTILIZED, 10 WERE ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN MATERIALLY HELPED BY THE INFORMATION GATHERED UNDER HYPNOSIS. THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF THE MATERIAL PRESENTED ABOUT EACH CASE IS INTENDED TO ALLOW READERS TO FORM THEIR OWN OPINIONS OF WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED. (MJW)