NCJ Number
56968
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1979) Pages: 53-55
Date Published
1979
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THE USE OF BREVITAL SODIUM FOR PLACING SUBJECTS IN A STATE OF HYPNOTIC SEDATION DURING POLICE INTERROGATION. PROCEDURES FOR THE DRUG'S ADMINISTRATION ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNIQUES OF HYPNOSIS AND CERTAIN DRUGS ARE EFFECTIVE IN POLICE INTERROGATIONS WHEN WITNESSES AND SUSPECTS ARE HINDERED BY THE LOSS OF MEMORY OF TRAUMATIC REACTIONS. ALTHOUGH MANY DRUGS SUCH AS SCOPALAMINE AND AMYTAL SODIUM HAVE BEEN USED SINCE THE 1930'S, THESE MEDICATIONS HAVE UNDESIRABLE SIDE EFFECTS. RELIEF FROM PANIC AND HYSTERICAL AMNESIA, WITHOUT SEDATIVE HANGOVER, IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE USE OF BREVITAL SODIUM. NO HYPERSENSITIVE REACTIONS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED IN ASSOCIATION WITH BREVITAL AND NO INCIDENTS OF DRUG-INDUCED PSYCHOSIS. THE SEDATED SUBJECT CANNOT SELECT RESPONSES AND WILL ANSWER SPONTANEOUSLY. BREVITAL HAS PROVEN MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE LIE DETECTOR OR HYPNOSIS IN QUESTIONING AND OBTAINING TRUTHFUL INFORMATION FROM SUSPECTS. TRIAL COURTS HAVE ACCEPTED BREVITAL INTERVIEW MATERIAL INTO EVIDENCE WHEN THE DRUG HAS BEEN GIVEN BY A PHYSICIAN OR PSYCHOLOGIST. THE RIGHT OF THE SUBJECT TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY PRESENT AT THE INTERVIEW SHOULD BE SAFEGUARDED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)