Forensic hypnosis1
- 1. FORENSIC HYPNOSIS Presentation by: Shincy Nair M.Phil. Forensic Psychology GFSU, Gandhinagar
- 2. Contents ■ Introduction to hypnosis ■ Forensic hypnosis ■ Use and Aim of Forensic hypnosis ■ Methods and Procedures ■ Safeguards of Forensic hypnosis ■ Indian context
- 3. Hypnosis ■ James Braid, English physician coined the term ‘Hypnosis’ and tried to give scientific explanation for more acceptance of this tool. ■ It is an altered state of consciousness characterized by relaxation, a heightened responsiveness to suggestion and increase in concentration i.e focused.(Goldenson, 1984) ■ Heightened state of consciousness is related to the subconscious mind. ■ In Hypnosis brain switches to Alpha level (EEG), which is a focused attention and aware of his surroundings. ■ Ultimately all hypnosis is a self hypnosis, subject’s cooperation, imagination, and preconceived notions about the hypnosis plays important role.
- 4. Forensic Hypnosis An investigative memory retrieval technique used to enhance recall in legally relevant situations like civil and criminal cases. It can be applied to victim, witness and accused in the process of criminal justice system. Accurate recall of memory depends upon time taken by IO, fear, shock, PTS after rape, child abuse or violent attack resulting in dissociative amnesia. Subconscious mind is much more able to store information and recall than conscious mind. Subject’s concentration is heightened to point where they recall minute details of crime that seem to elude them in conscious state.
- 5. Use and Aim ■ It is the power of hypnosis to produce hypermnesia is the highlight of forensic hypnosis. ■ It aids the IO with further investigation after getting leads or evidences by hypnosis. ■ Consistent with legal system/state law and used for major crime where other options are exhausted. ■ Help subject to de-link the associated emotional trauma attached to the event and help in retrieval of most accurate information with minimal errors e.g. vehicle number, phone number, known/unknown faces, smell, voices etc. ■ Subject is not a child under the age of 5 and not a person having cognitive difficulties.
- 6. Method Induction technique: Hypnotic trance is induced. JPMR technique can be used to relax the subject Helps in encouraging cooperation and deep trance helps in relaxing psychological defenses. Rapport established with Unconscious mind. Imagination is neutralized and reasoning faculty is suspended temporarily. Helps to speak freely and retrieve suppressed material that provoke anxiety and apprehension. Resolve conflict to reduce or resolve anxiety Ego building during slow awakening after the recall of memories, Gives forensic hypnosis a rehabilitative essence also.
- 7. Procedure/ Session Pre Induction preparation • Pretest interview and personal history taking • Narration of the incident before hypnosis • Explanation of forensic hypnosis • Written consent obtained. Induction • Relaxation of the subject • Slow process of inducing trance begins and proceeds towards deepening of induction. • Installation of movement responses are checked • Begin audio/video taping of session when the subject enters the room
- 8. Contd.. Rapport with unconscious mind. • Exploring the unconscious mind • Memory of incident under hypnosis • Clarification of details and specifics. • Instructions in trance. Post hypnotic suggestions, suggestions for automatic writing. • Prior to re-alerting, suggestions given so that unconscious mind keep searching through the memory. End of hypnosis session. Resolution, Awakening and Debriefing.
- 9. Safeguards ■ Whole session must be video taped. ■ The subject must give his informed consent to undergo hypnosis. ■ Hypnotic session must be conducted by a well qualified, licensed and independent medical doctor/psychologist. ■ Hypnotist must avoid leading questions and take special precaution not to add any false memories on the mind of subject. ■ Don’t touch the subject, always have a witness in the room of same gender as the subject but not the police. ■ Be explicit while explaining the subject that it is not a truth detection technique, it is just a tool to aid collection of evidences or details from memory.
- 10. Indian Context ■ British Medical Association approved in 1955 ■ American Medical Association approved in 1958 ■ In India, Forensic hypnosis has not been used in police investigation. ■ Indian Medical Association has not yet recognized it inspite been used by doctors, hypnotists and psychologists. Abbe De Faria (1756-1819) An Indian from Goa, a Catholic Priest and studied theology in Paris. He developed a theory to explain the phenomenon and methodically created a series of actions to induce hypnosis.
Editor's Notes
- #4: Existed since several ancient civilizations. Sleep temples of asclepius( asklepeous), son of Apollo . Raja Bhoj King of Malwa. Reign, c. 1010–1055 CE underwent surgery using ‘sammohini” method mentioned in ‘Bhoj Prabandh (600BC), also it is mentioned in Sushruta Samhita 527 AD . Mesmerism, Lucid sleep, Somnabulism, autosuggestion names given Alpha 8-13 hz USED in pain relief, stress management, removing phobia, self improvement, hypnotherapy.
- #5: Forensic hypnosis means to investigate with hypnosis as the main tool. After 3rd point : person experiences the crime, and surroundings again and all sensory organs are involved in this process of observation.
- #6: In hypnotic state, the path between concious(authoritative suggesstions ) and subconscious mind opens and memories become easily accessible. This power of producing hypermnesia is used in forensic hypnosis