Forensic Hypnosis Research Articles

Ethical issues in forensic hypnosis

The conduct and/or evaluation of forensic hypnosis sessions raises several sensitive ethical issues. We aim to provide a schematic framework in which to consider some of the major issues. The three major issues discussed in detail concern the position adopted about forensic hypnosis, the consequences of involving oneself in forensic hypnosis, and the nature of one's involvement in the legal system. We argue that professionals need to have a clear understanding of these issues before they agree to either conduct or evaluate a forensic hypnosis session.

Hypnotic Hypermnesia and Forensic Hypnosis: A Cross-Examination

Abstract Early enthusiasm for the hypnotic enhancement of memories of witnesses has faded since publication of a number of experimental studies which cast doubt on its efficacy and reported also that pseudo-memories could be confabulated under hypnosis. This has caused some investigators to assert that hypnosis should never be used to enhance the memories of eyewitnesses testifying in court. Many of these studies are themselves subject to errors in sampling, biases, and ignoring of the “hypnotic relationship” effect. It is premature to recommend complete elimination of hypnotic hypermnesia in court situations, and several recent Supreme Court decisions seem to agree. Results of some previously unpublished studies are reported, plus suggestions for improving research approaches to studies of hypnotic memory enhancement.

Reports of forensic hypnosis: A critical analysis

Because public opinion is substantially influenced by the media, a content analysis was conducted of newspaper reports of the use of hypnosis in criminal investigation. Analysis focused on the quantitative and qualitative information in reports about particular cases in terms of the location of the crime, year of the crime, type of crime, status of the subject, status of the hypnotist, and the value of hypnosis; analysis also focused on the information in commentary reports in terms of the professional, investigative, legal, and scientific issues that were discussed. Overall, the newspaper reports conveyed a relatively enthusiastic endorsement of the use of hypnosis in criminal investigation, and did not sufficiently recognise the potential difficulties involved. The research is discussed in terms of the bidirectional influence of media reports and public opinion, and in terms of the role that the media could play in helping to address substantive issues surrounding forensic hypnosis.

Television Reports of Forensic Hypnosis: What's on the News?

This paper presents a content analysis of television news and current affairs reports of forensic hypnosis focusing on the information conveyed about the nature of hypnosis, the introduction of hypnosis to criminal investigation, the impact of hypnosis on memory, the usefulness of hypnosis in criminal investigation, and the recognition of potential problems associated with forensic hypnosis. Findings indicate that the reports conveyed simplistic notions about hypnosis and memory, and were encouraging and uncritical in their presentation of forensic hypnosis. The research is discussed in terms of the possible influence of the reports on public opinion.

Memory and hypnosis: Implications for the use of forensic hypnosis.

Memory and hypnosis: Implications for the use of forensic hypnosis.

Memory and hypnosis: Implications for the use of forensic hypnosis.

Memory and hypnosis: Implications for the use of forensic hypnosis.

Forensic hypnosis: Current legislation and its relevance to practice

This article reviews current Acts concerning the practice of hypnosis, and reports findings from a survey of Boards' views concerning the use of hypnosis to refresh the memory of witnesses or victims of crime. There is variation in the way that hypnosis is defined and regulated, and in the degree to which the Acts are applicable to the use of hypnosis in the forensic setting. A central issue in understanding the relevance of current legislation to forensic hypnotic practice is the nature of the training and qualifications considered to be appropriate for the use of hypnosis with witnesses or victims of crime. The article reviews the positions with respect to this issue, and highlights potential difficulties for current legislation. Most obviously, current Acts need to clarify their position on the association between the forensic use of hypnosis and the application of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes.

Forensic hypnosis to lift amnesia: The jury is still out

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the use of forensic hypnosis to lift amnesia in victims and witnesses who may have repressed or otherwise forgotten evidentiary details. This paper addresses the reliability of memories that result from forensic hypnosis, as well as the impact that hypnotically refreshed testimony has on a jury. Because of the mixed data on the reliability of hypnotically enhanced memories, the increasing use of this forensic tool on amnesics is questioned.

Beliefs about forensic hypnosis.

Abstract The beliefs people hold about hypnosis have an impact on the behavior of a witness who is hypnotized and on juries who hear these witnesses and weigh hypnotically influenced testimony. Students in Experiment 1 and registered voters from the community in Experiment 2 responded to questions about forensic hypnosis. Over 70% of the students as compared to about 50% of the community members were favorable toward the use of hypnosis by police for memory enhancement. In both groups, however, twice as many people reported that they would put less faith rather than more faith in the testimony of someone who had been hypnotized. A substantial portion of the students firmed common myths about the effects of hypnosis on memory and behavior.

Cognitive revivification: A review of forensic hypnotic application in America

Forensic hypnosis was first presented in U.S. Courts in 1898. It began to be used again in 1960 and was used often through the the 1970s. The paper traces the jurisprudential development and discusses the many psychological, legal, and practical uses facing hypnotically induced or influenced testimony.

A Review of Forensic Hypnosis

Abstract There has been a recent resurgence of interest in forensic hypnosis in connection with memory enhancement and restoration of witnesses.

Forensic Hypnosis. Psychological and Legal Aspects. R. Udolf, Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, D. C. Health and Company, 1983, pp. 238.

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Book Review: Forensic Hypnosis: Psychological and Legal Aspects

Book Review: Forensic Hypnosis: Psychological and Legal Aspects

Forensic hypnosis: to hypnotize, or not to hypnotize, that is the question!

Abstract A question often neglected in the literature on forensic hypnosis is: Are there circumstances that ought to influence the decision to use hypnosis in the first place? To ensure that forensic hypnosis is used appropriately, federal investigative agencies have developed guidelines that require careful review of investigative, forensic, and potential hypnotic considerations. Such considerations include the merit and priority of the case, prior progress, existing forensic difficulties, the role of the interviewee in the investigation, other testimony, physical evidence, and the likelihood that information derived from hypnosis could be independently corroborated. These guidelines are explained as precautions against using hypnosis as a substitute for traditional techniques and to assure the potential of hypnosis when it is employed.

Suggested Guidelines for the Use of Forensic Hypnosis Techniques in Police Investigations

This article suggests standards and guidelines for the use of forensic hypnosis techniques in police investigations. Topics addressed include the type of procedures that should be used, intervention milieu considerations that need to be taken into account, the types of cases in which hypnosis should be avoided, and recommended qualifications for those performing the intervention. Each of these topics is discussed separately, commencing with a summary of the applicable policies established by selected law enforcement, professional, judicial, and governmental entities; a brief review of the pertinent theoretical and empirical literature; and commentary on the extent to which that information supports those policies. After laying this foundation, additional guidelines derived from the literature are presented for each section.

Recent Book: Forensic Hypnosis: Psychological and Legal Aspects

Recent Book: Forensic Hypnosis: Psychological and Legal Aspects

Forensic Hypnosis. Psychological and Legal Aspects. By Roy Udolf, Hofstra University. [Lexington (Massachusetts) and Toronto: Lexington Books. D. C. Heath & Co. 1983. xii, 222 and (Indexes) 16 pp. Cloth £21·50 net.

Forensic Hypnosis. Psychological and Legal Aspects. By Roy Udolf, Hofstra University. [Lexington (Massachusetts) and Toronto: Lexington Books. D. C. Heath & Co. 1983. xii, 222 and (Indexes) 16 pp. Cloth £21·50 net.

Guidelines for forensic hypnosis

The past 20 years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the forensic use of hypnosis. While often very productive, hypnotic interrogation also presents potential for abuse. Because forensic hypnosis has been unregulated and, at times, inappropriately used, some state courts have ruled that hypnotically enhanced recall is inadmissible as evidence. The following guidelines were developed in an attempt to standardize forensic hypnosis procedures and eliminate potential for abuse. The credentials and conduct of the hypnotist are delineated and procedural guidelines for the referring party are provided.

An Experimental Study of Hypnosis, Guided Memory and Witness Memory

The present experiment attempted to test the claims made for forensic hypnosis under controlled conditions. Eyewitness memory for a videotape of a violent episode was examined under three conditions, hypnosis with guided-memory (or revivication), guided memory alone and a no-treatment control. The results indicated no evidence for memory facilitation with hypnosis ; the implications for previous anecdotal claims are discussed.

Hypnosis and Witness Recall: Discussion Paper

Much interest has been expressed recently in the possible use of hypnosis to aid the memory of witnesses in police investigations. It is said that the police forces in the USA and Israel are already using hypnosis, and it has also been employed on a few occasions in the UK. However, as yet the techniques are limited to a great extent by the hypnotic susceptibility of the witnesses concerned (Haward 1980). In view of this consideration, it seems important to look closely at the claims made for forensic hypnosis, not only in order to maximize the efficacy of existing procedures, but also to extract techniques which could be used outside the context of hypnosis on witnesses who are not hypnotically susceptible. The evidence for the claims made for forensic hypnosis comes from two main sources anecdotal reports, and laboratory experiments of hypnotic memory facilitation and age regression. Whilst it could be argued that the anecdotal reports speak for themselves, proponents of forensic hypnosis, nevertheless, base much of the a priori appeal of hypnosis on the results of certain laboratory experiments.