Subject 6 - Forensic Hypnosis Flashcards
How are highly hypnotizable people prone to creating false memories in a forensic context?
because high hypnotizable people can create a very convincing internal environment; trying to not relive an event is suggesting a dissociation (like watching the event on a tv in which you can zoom in, to help see things), which could then lead to a false memory
Is forensic hypnosis reliable?
Not always
How long has forensic hypnosis been around for?
Since the 1970s
Who can be investigated in a forensic hypnosis context?
Witnesses and victims
- not perpetrators because they still, even in hypnosis, have the willpower to deny the crime
Describe the coercive power of hypnosis?
For example, a warmth hallucination
- could cause the hypnotist to convince someone to disrobe
Define forensic hypnosis. What is it used for?
it is the use of hypnotic techniques with witnesses and victims of crime
- forensic hypnosis focuses on the potential hypermnesic effects of hypnosis
What is the goal of forensic hypnosis?
To improve the recall of a person who experienced a traumatic event when memory is absent or fragmented
- hypnotized victims can potentially remember more
What happens to memory when someone experiences a high level of anxiety?
The memory is blocked
In regards to anxiety, what is the logic with using hypnosis to question victims?
If the stress is relieved, they might remember more (this is only true if the memory was blocked due to stress; if the memory wasn’t recorded, it’s useless)
- in real life (not in the lab) there can be a small increase in correct information because of a decrease in stress
What is hypermnesia?
To remember more than one would in usual circumstances (“super” memory)
Does hypnosis actually help people with recall?
No; it is not significantly better than repeated recall
What happens when someone fills in the gaps in their memories?
This leads to an increased amount of false information (ex. like the mind fills in the blind spot in vision)
What are the consequences to memory when hypnosis is used?
- memories crystallize whether the information was correct or not
- confidence in recalled information increases whether it was a true memory or not
What is false recall?
The brain’s act of filling in missing information such that you believe in its truth
Can we ever go back to the original memory?
No; every time we recall an event, it is changed such that the original is lost
- memories are a representation of the last time we thought about an event
Why is cross-examination difficult after a participant has been hypnotized?
Because they are so confident in the details they recall, whether it was true information or not
What is an honest liar?
Someone who truly believes their false memories
How can we minimize the risk of false recall?
- guidelines for using hypnosis
- witnesses or victims cannot testify after being hypnotized (unless there is a pre-hypnotic testimony)
- corroborate elicited information independently
- use as a last-ditch effort (like in cold cases)
What are the guidelines for the legal use of forensic hypnosis?
- hypnotic interview should be conducted by a QUALIFIED professional
- hypnotist must be an independent party
- hypnotist should be given minimum amount of information required to conduct the interview
- the entire interview should be videotaped
- only the hypnotist and the subject should be present
- interview pre-hypnosis should be conducted to determine medical history, including info about the use of drugs (since it affects memory)
- hypnotist should ask for DETAILED description of event from the witness BEFORE hypnosis to see what they remember
- hypnotist should be very careful in how questions are posed, because the wording can influence the witness and bias the interview
Is hypnosis evidence admissible in court?
Most of the time no, because it doesn’t prevent confabulation and crystallization of memory
What is voire-dire?
Expert must present his/her testimony before trial begins (to see if hypnosis can be used)
What is confabulation?
Adding false information to a memory
What is the first guideline for the use of forensic hypnosis?
the hypnotic interview should be done by a qualified professional
What is the second guideline for the use of forensic hypnosis?
the hypnotist must be independent of the party who requires his services (otherwise he/she could bias the interview because of added information which would reduce objectivity)
