Hypnotically Induced Testimony (From Eyewitness Testimony Psychological Perspective, P 171-213, 1984, G L Wells and E F Loftus, eds.)

• NCJ Number: 102970
• Author(s): M T Orne; D A Soskis; D F Dinges; E C Orne
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 43 pages
• Grant Number(s): 82-IJ-CX-0007
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study reviews empirical evidence regarding the reliability of hypnotically induced testimony, suggests guidelines for increasing the likelihood that recall under hypnosis will be undistorted, and recommends that uncorroborated hypnotically induced testimony not be admissible in court.

Abstract

Empirical data indicate that hypnosis creates memory changes and the confidence placed in memory by the subject. These changes are not desirable, however, because hypnosis often increases inaccurate as well as accurate memories, and the changes are not easily undone once hypnosis has been used. Well-trained hypnotist-interviewers using proper techniques and procedural guidelines can make hypnosis a helpful tool in criminal investigations, however. Guidelines to ensure the value of the hypnotic interview include the videotaping of all hypnosis sessions, limitations on those present during the interview, prehypnosis evaluation, posthypnosis discussion, and clinical followup. No guidelines can produce reliable factfinding under hypnosis, however, so it should be used only as an investigative tool to lead to the discovery of reliable evidence that may corroborate the recall. 17 notes.