NCJ Number
246143
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2013 Pages: 932-940
Date Published
July 2013
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Alcohol-related amnesiaalcohol blackoutis a common claim of criminal defendants.
Abstract
Alcohol-related amnesiaalcohol blackoutis a common claim of criminal defendants. The generally held belief is that during an alcohol blackout, other cognitive functioning is severely impaired or absent. The presentation of alcohol blackout as scientific evidence in court requires that the science meets legal reliability standards Frye, FRE702/Daubert. To determine whether alcohol blackout meets these standards, an evidence-based analysis of published scientific studies was conducted. A total of 26 empirical studies were identified including nine in which an alcohol blackout was induced and directly observed. No objective or scientific method to verify the presence of an alcoholic blackout while it is occurring or to confirm its presence retrospectively was identified. Only short-term memory is impaired and other cognitive functionsplanning, attention, and social skillsare not impaired. Alcoholic blackouts would not appear to meet standards for scientific evidence and should not be admissible. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.