USE OF HYPNOSIS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS - A PILOT PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 44613
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 399-406
• Author(s): J G STRATTON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA PROGRAM INVOLVING HYPNOSIS AS AN INVESTIGATIVE AID IN ELICITING INFORMATION FROM WILLING VICTIMS OR WITNESSES OF SERIOUS CRIMES IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF HYPNOSIS, ITS HISTORY, AND ITS USE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT IS PRESENTED, FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION OF THE LOS ANGELES PROGRAM. VOLUNTEER DOCTORS FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS ASSIST IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIONS. THE TRANSCRIPT OF A TAPE USED TO ALLAY VICTIM/WITNESS FEARS ABOUT HYPNOSIS IS REPRODUCED, AND PROCEDURES FOLLOWED IN A TYPICAL SESSION ARE DISCUSSED. RESPONSE FROM BOTH INVESTIGATORS AND DOCTORS HAS BEEN FAVORABLE: OF OVER 50 HYPNOTIC INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM, 90 PERCENT OF THE SESSIONS RESULTED IN INFORMATION HELPFUL TO THE INVESTIGATIONS. CAUTIONARY CONSIDERATIONS RELATIVE TO THE UNCERTAINTIES OF HYPNOSIS AS A SCIENCE ARE MENTIONED. THE IMPORTANCE OF USING PROPERLY TRAINED DOCTORS IN SUCH A PROGRAM IS STRESSED, AS WELL AS THE VALUE OF GUIDELINES.