Narco Analysis

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Narco Analysis Test or Narco Test: This is the tool of forensics to catch the culprits and trace the criminals and decipher their modus operandi by administering hypnotics or similar drugs into the suspects. The term Narco Analysis was coined by Horseley. Narco analysis first reached the mainstream in 1922, when Robert House, a Texas obstretrician used the drug scopolamine on two prisoners.Since then narco testing has become largely discredited in most democratic states, including the United States and Britain. There is a vast body of literature calling into question, it's ability to yield legal truth. Additionally, narcoanalysis has serious legal and ethical implications.

A person is able to lie by using his imagination. In the Narco Analysis Test, the subject's imagination is neutralised by making him semi-conscious. In this state, it becomes difficult for him to lie and his answers would be restricted to facts he is already aware of.In such sleep-like state efforts are made to obtain "probative truth" about the crime. Experts inject a subject with hypnotics like Sodium Pentothal or Sodium Amytal under the controlled circumstances of the laboratory. The dose is dependent on the person's sex, age, health and physical condition. The subject which is put in a state of Hypnotism is not in a position to speak up on his own but can answer specific but simple questions after giving some suggestions. The answers are believed to be spontaneous as a semi-conscious person is unable to manipulate the answers. This type of test is not always admissible in the law courts. It states that subjects under a semi-conscious state do not have the mind set to properly answer any questions, while some other courts openly accept them as evidence. As far as being able to lie; It is not actually lying however, if the person being administered the test truly believes that he is doing right, then the test will show just that.This test is of great help in tracing a crime and finding some evidence, where no primary evidence is available. The Narco Analysis test is done by a team comprising of an anaesthesiologist, a psychiatrist, a clinical/ forensic psychologist, an audio-videographer, and supporting nursing staff.The forensic psychologist will prepare the report about the revelations, which will be accompanied by a compact disc of audio-video recordings. The strength of the revelations, if necessary, is further verified by subjecting the person to polygraph and brain mapping tests.

1 The test
2 Reliability
3 Drugs administered
4 Legal position
5 External links

[edit] The test

Truth serum are drugs used in narco-analysis that cause a person to become uninhibited, but they do not guarantee the veracity of the subject’s statement. People who are under the influence of truth serums enter a hypnotic state and speak freely about anxieties or painful memories. The subject’s imagination is neutralised when semi-conscious, making it difficult for him/her to lie and his/her answers would be restricted to facts of which he/she is aware. However, there are cases that show that subjects can create fatasy and deception under the influence of these drugs.

[edit] Reliability

Although inhibitions are generally reduced, people under the influence of truth serums are still able to lie and even tend to fantasise.

[edit] Drugs administered

Sodium pentothal is an ultrashort-acting barbiturate, which sedates only for a few minutes. It slows down the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and inhibits brain and spinal cord activity. Sodium amytal and Scopolamine are other drugs used.

[edit] Legal position

Such tests generally don’t have legal validity as confessions made by a semi-conscious person are not admissible in court. The court may, however, grant limited admissibility after considering the circumstances under which the test was obtained. In the main, these tests can only assist police investigations.