Pros and Cons of Investigative Hypnosis (From Law Enforcement Bible, Number 2, P 152-161, 1982, Robert A Scanlon, ed. - See NCJ-95077)

• NCJ Number: 95093
• Author(s): G L Griffiths
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Stoeger Publishing Co
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Potentials and limitations of hypnosis as an aid to investigation are examined.

Abstract

While hypnosis may improve memory only slightly, its utility lies in removing the trauma and confusion associated with a criminal incident or in recovering routine memories which seemed of no significance at the time of the incident. Problems with hypnosis include the possibility of introducing artifacts during the session, the often jumbled nature of what is recalled, and the possibility that the conscious mind will override the the unconscious mind even under hypnosis. Although courts have almost unanimously ruled that exculpatory statements made by accused persons under hypnosis are inadmissible, they consistently have allowed witnesses to testify to facts remembered after investigatory hypnosis used for memory enhancement. If present trends continue, this newest of forensic sciences may prove as vital to law enforcement as the discovery of positive identification by fingerprinting. Figures and photographs are included.