narcoanalysis
Narcoanalysis is steadily being mainstreamed into investigations, court hearings, and laboratories in India. [1]
Narcoanalysis is being mainstreamed into investigations and court hearings in India. [2]
In 1943, J. Stephen Horsley published a book in which he described the psychotherapeutic method of narcoanalysis. [3]
The government and the press in India use this expression called Narcoanalysis where a chemical (sodiumpentothal, usually) is injected into a person, a state of anaesthesia is introduced and the person made to answer questions. [4]
It is increasingly knocking at the doors of courts and finding ready acceptance as a device to get at the truth during police investigations, though its scientific basis and value are under strong challenge. [1]
The court acquitted her as narcoanalysis could be used only for investigation and not to convict suspects. [2]
This is not done in any other civilised country as it is considered illegal to make the suspect answer questions when they are not in charge of their faculties. [4]
Any of various hypnotic or anesthetic drugs, such as scopolamine or thiopental sodium, used to induce a subject under questioning to talk without inhibition. [3]
Scientific literature indicates that if narcoanalysis has any extra-therapeutic uses, it may be in making a suspect feel that he has revealed more than he actually did. [2]
It is not surprising then that there are about 300 people in the narcoanalysis queue at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Bangalore alone. [1]
There is also talk of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore working with the Gandhinagar Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to train personnel in this technique. [...] Scientific scepticism and the absence of controlled studies have not deterred Indian investigating agencies from running to the FSL in Gandhinagar or, more likely, Bangalore. [2]
Shouldnt this be considered a violation of the person’s rights. [4]
The scientific literature indicates that if narcoanalysis has any extra-therapeutic uses, it may be in making a suspect feel that he has revealed more than he actually did. [1]
United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld asserted that narcoanalysis is not used by United States military and intelligence personnel, but suggested that other countries have made use of the technique in the interrogation of suspected terrorists. [3]
Sources:
[1] The Hindu : Opinion / News Analysis : We need to talk about narcoanalysis (www.thehindu.com/2007/05/02/
[2] Narcoanalysis and some hard facts (www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2409/
[3] truth serum: Definition from Answers.com (www.answers.com/topic/truth-drug)
[4] NarcoAnalysis? (o3.indiatimes.com/narcoanalysis)