JUDICIAL PERSPECTIVES ON FORENSIC HYPNOSIS: A REVIEW OF CASE LAW AND BEST PRACTICES
Dr. Henry Wilson , University of North Georgia, Department of Criminal Justice, Dahlonega, GA 30040, USAAbstract
Forensic hypnosis, the use of hypnosis to aid in the retrieval of memories for legal purposes, has garnered attention within the judicial system as a potential tool for enhancing witness testimony and recovering forgotten details. This review examines the intersection of forensic hypnosis and the legal framework, focusing on judicial perspectives, case law, and best practices. It analyzes landmark cases that have shaped the admissibility of hypnotically retrieved testimony, highlighting the varying standards adopted across jurisdictions. The review also addresses the ethical considerations surrounding the use of hypnosis in legal contexts, including concerns about memory distortion and suggestibility. Furthermore, it discusses best practices for practitioners, emphasizing the importance of maintaining scientific rigor and ethical standards when employing hypnosis in forensic settings. The findings underscore the need for ongoing legal education regarding forensic hypnosis to ensure its responsible application within the courts.
Keywords
Forensic Hypnosis, Legal Proceedings, Witness Testimony
References
American Medical Association, Council on Scientific Affairs, (1985). Scientific Status of Refreshing Recollections by the Use of Hypnosis. Chicago, IL: American Medical Association
Dywan, J.& K. Bowers (1983). The use of hypnosis to enhance recall.” Science. Vol. 222, Pp. 184-185.
Geiselman, R.E., & H. Machlovitz (1987). Hypnosis memory recall: Implications for forensic use. American Journal of Forensic Psychology. Vol. 5, Pp. 37-47.
Goldenson, Robert M. (1984). Longman dictionary of psychology and psychiatry. New York, NY: Longman Publishing.
Nash, M.R. (1994). Memory distortion and sexual trauma: The problem with false negatives and false positives.The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Vol. 42, Pp. 346-362.
Smith, M.C. (1983). Hypnotic memory enhancement of witnesses: Does it work?” Psychological Bulletin. Vol. 94, Pp. 387-407.
Steblay, N.M. & R.K. Bothwell (1994). Evidence for hypnotically refreshed testimony .Law and Human Behavior. Vol. 18, Pp. 635-651.
Wagstaff, G.F. & K. Mercer (1993). Does hypnosis facilitate memory for deep processed stimuli? Contemporary Hypnosis. Vol. 10, Pp. 59-66.
Wilson, L., Greene, E., & E.F. Loftus (1986). Beliefs about forensic hypnosis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Vol. 34, Pp. 110-121.
Article Statistics
Downloads
Copyright License
Copyright (c) 2024 Dr. Henry Wilson
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.