NCJ Number
177429
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 23 Issue: 6 Dated: June 1999 Pages: 42-45
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines Nevada's use of hypnosis as an investigative tool.
Abstract
Since October 1, 1997, Nevada has allowed "hypnotically refreshed" testimony to be admissible in both civil and criminal cases. Testimony of a witness who has undergone hypnosis to recall events that are the subject matter of the testimony is admissible if the witness, or parent or guardian if the witness is a minor, gave informed consent to the hypnosis; [and] the person who induced the hypnosis is a health care provider, a clinical social worker licensed by the state or "an officer or employee or former officer or employee of a law enforcement agency who is trained in forensic hypnosis and who is not otherwise currently involved in the investigation of a case or action in which the witness is a victim, witness or defendant..." The article reviews the use of hypnosis in medical, dental and psychological professions as well as in criminal investigations. Guidelines for hypno-investigators include: (1) They should not be involved in the direct investigation of the case; (2) They should include written, videotape and audiotape records of the hypnosis; and (3) The session should be conducted in a comfortable, soundproof atmosphere free of distractions.