Forensic hypnosis is in the news.  For those unfamiliar with it, forensic hypnosis is the sort of hypnosis used with legal cases – with witnesses to or victims of a crime.  Tools of the Trade . . . http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=9495020 . . . examines the use of forensic hypnosis in one office.

It’s a technique you might expect at
a spa, not the local jail house, but for more than 20 years Sheriff
Gary Painter says forensic hypnosis is a tool used to solve crimes.

 

"It’s
a very good tool," Captain Rory Mckinney, who took the course in
Huntsville last month, said.  "There are a lot of things people see and
don’t remember."

 

McKinney is now one of three in the Midland County Sheriff’s Office, licensed to perform investigative hypnosis.

 

"Hypnosis
works, there is no doubt in my mind hypnosis works, but it only works
if that individual will let it," Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter,
said.

 

Painter says the technique is used to illicit
information in a criminal case when witnesses or crime victims can’t
remember details of a crime due to shock.

 

"Homicides,
robberies, rapes, anything where there has been a traumatic experience
there is a chance there can be some evidence recovered or memory
brought back that would assist in the investigation," Painter said.

 

Sheriff
Painter says a landmark appeal case back in the 1980’s outlined the
guidelines used today. Sheriff Painter says since he became licensed
back in 1987, he has gone through annual training.

 

"It was something that was coming along in the state of Texas that I want to be a part of," Sheriff Painter said.

He brought it to West Texas as yet another avenue to investigate.

 

Sheriff
Painter once served as President of the Texas Association for
Investigative Hypnotists, a non-profit organization dedicated to
continuing education on the topic.

 

During a session, the investigator must record the process and know nothing about the case.

 

"You
just talk to an individual and you just guide them through the
hypnosis, you take them to a deep state of relaxation," Sheriff Painter
said.

Of course, one has to be very careful when performing forensic hypnosis.  There are some folks, like myself, who understand the complexities of clean language and methods to get to information as effectively as possible without contaminating the testimony but there are plenty of folks who should not be let anywhere near a case that might have legal ramifications.

All the best,
Brian