U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

HYPNOSIS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

NCJ Number
1779
Author(s)
H ARONS
Date Published
1967
Length
211 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF PROGRESSIVE RELAXATION TO AID THE SUBJECT'S RECALL AND FOR TRUTH VERIFICATION IN CRIMINAL MATTERS.
Abstract
HYPNOSIS IS REGARDED AS A SUGGESTIBLE STATE OF HUMAN BEINGS AS NORMAL AS THE INCIDENT OF HYPNOTIC EFFECT ON THE SALIVARY GLANDS WHEN ONE OBSERVES ANOTHER CUT AND SUCK THE JUICE OF A LEMON. HYPNOTIC EXAMINATIONS ENABLE THE ATTORNEY TO LEARN FACTS WHICH THE ACCUSED IS UNABLE TO REMEMBER DUE TO SHOCK, AMNESIA, INTOXICATION, ETC. IN AIDING THE RECALL OF PAST EVENTS THREE HYPNOTIC PHENOMENA ARE USED. THEY ARE ALL PHASES OF HYPEMNESIA WHICH MEANS ACCENTUATED RECALL. HYPNOTISTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE AMA SINCE 1958, AND ARE LICENSED TO PRACTICE IN SOME STATES. HYPNOTISTS HAVE BEEN USED AS EXPERT WITNESSES IN COURT. A VARIETY OF CASE-STUDIES ARE INCLUDED, AS WELL AS INDUCTION TECHNIQUES AND PRECAUTIONS. 54 REFERENCES.