NCJ Number
82669
Date Published
1982
Length
111 pages
Annotation
This manual provides guidance for using psychics in criminal investigations.
Abstract
The material presented is based on the authors' own experience and on first-person accounts. Following a short history of psychic criminology and review of the theories and evidence for paranormal phenomena, the identification, recruitment, testing, and use of psychics is discussed. Particular attention is given to the methods and procedures for investigative work with psychics. Caution is urged for the investigator not to interpret a psychic's information according to the investigator's mind set and preconceptions. It is important for the investigator to record the psychic information exactly as it is given by the psychic and to act upon that information. Investigators are advised to accept that psychic information is usually incomplete, sporadic, sometimes symbolic, and often seemingly irrelevant. It is important to view psychic information as one form of input into a case, respecting it for its unique value, but without expecting it to provide all the answers. In working with a group of psychics, the investigator will usually receive a great deal of information on each case, such that the leads selected must be on the basis of the degree of correlation between the different psychics' information, their degree of confidence, relevance, and likely importance of each piece of information. Psychics should be used as an ongoing investigative aid and not merely as a last resort on major cases. If brought into cases early they can provide information to help steer the investigation. Summaries of cases involving psychics are used to illustrate the topics discussed. Appended are sample forms useful in psychic criminology, a glossary of parapsychological terms, and a bibliography of 43 listings.