Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

PDF

Law

University of Baltimore Law

1979

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Law

Hypnosis And The Law, Emmanuel Levin Jan 1979

Hypnosis And The Law, Emmanuel Levin

University of Baltimore Law Forum

An aura of the occult surrounds the mention of hypnosis. As a result, hypnotism is rarely used in court. Although tainted by its sideshow reputation, hypnosis, when applied properly, can substantially aid both the investigation and litigation stages of law enforcement.


Hypnosis And The Law, Paul A. Dorf Jan 1979

Hypnosis And The Law, Paul A. Dorf

University of Baltimore Law Forum

Hypnosis and the law have a rather tedious history. Courts all over the country consistently have held inadmissible statements of a defendant, made out of court, while under hypnosis. The rationale is not too difficult to comprehend. Critics of hypnosis as an investigative tool belittle its reliability. They will present cases in which evidence gained through hypnosis turned out to be unreliable. This reluctance to acceptance still may be fostered by antiquated notions. In short, hypnosis was once looked upon as a kind of vaudeville gag, or worse, as a demonic device to control a person's mind. And while reliability …