Hypnosis in Criminology - Coursework Example

 Hypnosis in Criminology Abstract Investigation in the field of criminology is considered as the most significant and important step in solving criminal cases. The decisions which are taken to address criminal cases are based upon investigation. Thus, investigation must be done carefully by considering every aspect of the case important and in a pattern. Among various methods that had been used so far for criminal investigation, hypnosis is widely being employed. There are certain factors which are associated with the hypnotic investigative tool. This paper aims to address the technique of hypnosis and the extent to which hypnosis can be effective in the field of criminology. The research method was followed in this research to evaluate the extent to which hypnosis as a criminological investigative tool could be effective. In order to analyze the extent of effectiveness of hypnosis, comparison of other investigative techniques had also been done. The results were obtained by carefully analyzing some of the cases which had been solved with the help of hypnotic investigative tool. The research was backed up my many theoretical aspects of hypnosis and how it had been used for forensic investigation previously. The research mention critical claims that had been undertaken regarding hypnosis and controversies related to its application in field of criminology. The conclusion that had been drawn from the research method conducted for this research considers hypnosis as a very effective investigative tool. It is encouraged that the use of hypnosis for forensic investigation is continuously done because it includes induction method that can easily yield all the necessary information from victim and witness for the prosecution of any case. Table of Contents Abstract 1 Table of Contents 2 Chapter 1: Introduction 3 Background 3 Structure of Research 6 Chapter 1: Introduction: 6 Chapter 2: Literature Review: 6 Chapter 3: Case Studies: 6 Chapter 2: Literature Review 7 Hypnosis and Criminology 7 Use of Hypnosis in Crime Investigations and its Issues 10 Chapter 3: Case Studies 14 Case #1 15 Boston Strangler 15 Case #2 15 Kidnapping of 26 school children and a bus driver 15 Case #3 16 Murder of Olivia Hope and Ben Smart in Marlborough in 1998 16 Chapter 4: Conclusion 17 List of References 19 Hypnosis: An Investigative Tool Chapter 1: Introduction Background Much of investigative approaches have been observed in different fields of studies. Investigation is suggested as the best way to counter and assess the tangibility of problem that may occur in a society. An investigative process is required for almost every type of issues that might occur in a society. Investigations are conducted in almost every aspect of human associations within a society. Similarly, in order to learn anti-social behavior of members of society, criminological investigations are widely being conducted in every part of the world. Criminological investigations are considered to be very subtle in nature; because each and every pattern, which would be assessed during investigation, may lead to a number of indications of crime act. Decisions are then done through law suit case of defense and prosecution on the basis of conduction investigation. Thus it is highly recommended that investigation that is conducted for any case must be accurate and based upon accurate investigative models. In order to investigate and assess the reasons behind any crime scene, police is intended to undergo psychotherapy for answering questions that may be able to describe how and why crime act was undertaken (Dengrove, 1973). For fulfillment of the requirement of effective investigative models, a number of techniques have been introduced in forensic investigation process. Many law and enforcement agencies have debated on different investigative processes for the evaluation of crime scene. The effectiveness of all introduced investigative methods has been gauged with help of employment on real life cases. Previously, many criminal acts and criminological incidents have been assessed and investigated with a number of methods including confessions, forensic evidences or eyewitness accounts etc. However, it was observed that there was a considerable lack of hard evidences, which led to the continual need of newer models of investigation (Fromm & Shor, Hypnosis: Developments in Research and New Perspectives, 2009). Consequently, hypnosis was the technique that was introduced in the field of criminology though it was already in use in the field of psychology. Hypnosis had been continuously used as the investigative technique for criminal investigation. Hypnosis helped law enforcement agencies in yielding higher and accurate measures of evidences by enhancing eyewitness testimony (Sheehan & McConkey, 1993). Criminological investigation process has utilized hypnotic technique for assessment of evidences from victims, suspects, and witness in the past. The researchers, which have conducted so far for the evaluation of hypnosis, have successfully managed to consider hypnosis as a valuable forensic method. Some of the researchers believed that the overall use of hypnosis in the field of criminology have been done as an alternative for situations where information was difficult to be obtained (Yapko, 2003). Unfortunately, there had been a lack of compliance of studies regarding hypnosis as a technique for forensic investigation. This research is being conducted in order to study the evolution of hypnosis and its employment in the field of forensic investigations. This research aims to analyze how hypnotic technique of investigation made its way to criminology. It is the sole purpose of this research to enhance all the concepts and elements which are associated with the hypnotic investigative tool (Goldstein, 2007). The objective of this research is to evaluate the extent to which hypnosis can serve as an effective technique for investigation in the field of criminology. This research also broadly discusses the process of law and enforcement when applying hypnosis as a technique for investigative purpose. The report also elaborates how hypnosis can be applied for forensic investigation and solve intense turmoil criminal act. This research aims to identify hypnosis as an investigative technique for the purpose of investigation. The extent to which hypnosis can be helpful for criminological investigation process is being evaluated in this research report. Furthermore, the research is intended to enhance the credibility of hypnosis in solving crime cases with the reference to case studies. Among many investigative approaches being employed in the investigation process for criminal history, Psychiatric therapeutics and hypnosis have taken world-wide recognition in the world. There had been a considerable lack in compliance of studies related to hypnotic investigative tools. The current research focuses on the particular approach of hypnosis as an effective technique for criminology. This research is significant because it is based upon the objective of proving the highest extent to which hypnosis can be an effective technique for criminological investigation. For the purpose of claiming the extent of effectiveness of the hypnotic technique for investigation, some of the cases have been chosen from the criminological histories that were successfully solved with the use of hypnosis. Structure of Research A structure of research has been designed in order to address every issue which may help in conducting a successful research for the purpose of assessing the extent of effectiveness of hypnotic investigative tool in criminology. Chapter 1: Introduction: This is the first chapter of the research that provides information in the context of background of investigation and different techniques which have been employed in criminology so far. This chapter also mentions the objective of the research, the aim of research along with its significance. Furthermore, structure of report is also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 2: Literature Review: This is the second and most important chapter of the research as previous researches and investigations referring to hypnosis in the field of criminology are being studied in this chapter. Chapter 3: Case Studies: This chapter introduces few cases from the criminological history which has been successfully solved by employing hypnosis investigative technique. This chapter helps in shaping perspective regarding the extent to which hypnosis is effective in criminological investigation. Chapter 4: Conclusion: This chapter includes concluding remarks on the basis of review of previous researches and broader analysis of case studies that made use of hypnosis for investigation. Chapter 2: Literature Review This chapter includes theoretical considerations referring to hypnosis. Different researches and investigations are being discussed in this section of research. The reason behind in evaluation of previous researches is to assess the extent to which hypnosis could be effective for the purpose of forensic investigation. This chapter includes overview of hypnosis, its theories, and details of the process which is undertaken by hypnosis specialist. It also includes information regarding application of hypnosis in different fields investing different aspects of the society. This chapter is based upon researches which have been conducted in order to elaborate forensic hypnosis for criminological investigations. Moreover, controversies related to the use of hypnosis in the field of criminology had also been discussed in this chapter. Hypnosis and Criminology Hypnosis is one of the most widely researched scientific concepts in the field of psychology and human behavior. The term hypnosis mostly illustrates with the image of magicians which seemingly present the concept as a mythical concept. However, the reality is contrary to the illustrations which are often posed with the phenomenon of hypnosis. The first research of hypnosis dates back to 1774 and evaluation in this field of scientific concept is still being practiced. Previous researches which have been conducted so far in the field of hypnosis claim that Franz Mesmer was the first physicist who introduced the concept of hypnosis (Fromm & Shor, 2009). Many psychologists and physicists have proposed definitions to elaborate hypnosis. A more general definition of hypnosis had been provided by the British Psychological Society claiming that hypnosis is an interaction between hypnotist and the subject (person who is being hypnotized). The interaction is observed purposely in order to influence the subject’s perceptions, feelings, behavior (The British Psychological Society, 2001). The most widely used definition had been proposed by Society of Psychological Hypnosis Division defining hypnosis as a cognitive process that involves guidance of the hypnotist to the subject in order to respond to the suggestion for changes in sensation, perceptions, etc (Society of Psychological Hypnosis , 2004). This definition had been used in many researches conducted in the field of hypnosis. The process of hypnosis is easy to understand through the context of the mentioned definitions. Russell W. Levanway suggests that the process of hypnosis basically makes use of the imagination of subject. Such an act makes it easy for the hypnotist to encourage the subject to actually perform on the suggestion for the evaluation of behavioral experiences took place in the past or are associated with the fear of subject (Levanway, 1972). Richard N. Kocsis (2009) elaborated in his research that the mandatory element in the hypnosis had been referred to state of mind of a subject which is able to be responsive to the suggestions. Suggestion works as an induction in the whole process of hypnosis. The role of suggestion in the process of hypnosis was first studied by Hippolyte Bernheim. The concept of suggestion was further taken in account by many psychologists including Jean Charcot and Sigmund Freud (Kocsis, 2009). It is further being noted that a great deal of development is taking place in the conceptual framework of hypnosis. M.M. Mucas-Polomeni in his research entitled “Hypnosis: a new anesthetic technique” stated that due to the rapid increase in the development in hypnosis, its implication is being observed in many fields of psychology, social sciences and medicines (Polmeni, 2004). The application of hypnosis could be referred to a very effective technique because hypnosis had considerably proved to yield amazing results in the field of surgery. It could be said because many surgeons use hypnosis instead of using anesthesia. In this way, it could be said that hypnosis is an effective technique in gaining into the subconscious mind of a person. The application of hypnotic phenomenon is evident in the field of surgery and anesthesia. The parallel implications have also been noted in the field of medicine where the health professional can use hypnosis to assess patients past experiences that may be the reason behind any biological or behavioral disorder (Dengrove, 1973). Criminology is another most important field that had made use of application of hypnosis widely. Author William S. Kroger and Michael D Yapko had claimed in their research that people, who have been caught guilty for committing crimes, can be well investigated through the therapy of hypnosis (Kroge & Yapko, 2004, p. 335). Criminal investigations and medical investigations are often observed as parallel approaches for investigations of criminals and patients respectively. Criminal investigations also undergo forensic aspects of criminal events which are antisocial in nature. As narrated in the article by David Waxman, forensic hypnosis is a term that is applied to the use of hypnosis in criminology (Waxman, 1983). The use of forensic hypnosis in the field of criminology is mainly conducted for the purpose of assessing the criminal thought-process that might have been involved in undertaking of criminal act. Forensic hypnosis is applied on both the witnesses (victims) as well as criminals during investigation of a criminal event (Waxman, 1983). Forensic hypnosis is potentially applicable for evaluating situations, conversations which may help in description of people and environment necessary for evaluating patterns of criminal act. The use of hypnosis gradually took a strong root of investigation on the basis of criminal cases which were solved with the use of theory of hypnosis. According to the inspector Marx Howell, hypnosis is an existing technique which is vastly being used in criminal investigations. Though a number of debates led in the way of application of hypnosis in the field of criminology, but it is equally commendable to note that hypnosis have now become a compulsory approach to solve criminal law suits (Howell, 2010). The effective use of therapy of hypnosis in the field of criminal investigation could be assessed with the help of past investigated cases. According to the article published by District Attorney of Jefferson County in Columbia, law enforcement agencies are widely being trained for hypnosis technique. The need of hypnosis training was observed when different criminal law suits were successfully investigated with the help of hypnosis (District Attorney, 2010). Use of Hypnosis in Crime Investigations and its Issues The relation of hypnosis and criminology have been observed as controversial in nature as previous researchers have mentioned many events where debate took place between different law enforcement agencies. According to Micheal D. Yapko (2003), investigative results with the use of hypnosis have been often accused in the courtrooms (Yapko, 2003, p. 110). The reason behind the controversy as proposed by Alan W. Scheflin, Jerrold Lee Shapiro was the intentional or unintentional mental effect on the victim during the process of hypnosis where suggestions are made to induce (Scheflin & Shapiro, 1989). Micheal D. Yapko introduces us to the context of debate in his research and claims that there are two schools of thought when it comes to the employment of hypnotic investigative tool in criminology. Firstly, there are some of the people who believe that investigation with the use of hypnosis could easily be used as accurate information as any other method of investigation. On the other hand, there are some people who believe that hypnosis basically give ways to the victim, suspect or witness to lie (Yapko, 2003, pp. 113-114). Researchers have fairly agreed that hypnosis is a matter which is controversial in nature. However, a number of defensive claims had been made by some of the renowned physicists and psychological investigators. Alan Scheflin is a renowned name who had managed to employ hypnosis for the investigative purpose of criminology. Alan Scheflin defended hypnosis with the context to the fact that the memory holds human calculated events with respect to factors that affect human thought-process (Yapko, 2003, p. 114). Alan Scheflin (1989) stressed on the fact that human cognitive behavior regulates the remembering process within the unit of environmental stimuli. Such values and factors could either be the mood in which the event was regulated for remembering process. With the same working process of human cognition, any method of investigation could go wrong and right (Scheflin & Shapiro, 1989, p. 139). An interesting example of investigation given by Alan Scheflin can be noted with such a claim. According to Alan Schefilin, a crime event would be witnessed by ten people standing on the footpath but when the investigation repots of those ten witnesses would be reported then the results would be different (Yapko, 2003, p. 114). Another defensive account that has been put forward to enhance the credibility of hypnosis as an effective investigative tool was by Kevin McConkey in the year 1992. According to the claim by Kevin McConkey present in the research by Erika Fromm and Micheal R. Nash (1992), hypnosis is an accurate method that can lead to distortion of mind is unacceptable because there are evidences in the studies of psychology which refer to memory distortion is not unique to hypnosis (Fromm & Nash, 1992, p. 405). David T. Rowley had also employed the use of hypnosis concept in his research where he claimed that hypnosis plays a major role in criminology. The main purpose of hypnosis in criminology is to revitalize memories of a particular event. Though many investigators have debated on this purpose of hypnosis in criminology but it is still being widely used in forensic investigation of criminal cases (Rowley, 1986, p. 155). Along with the use of hypnosis for the purpose of regulating imagination of witnesses or criminals, hypnosis is also used for the reduction of stress of the subject (Rowley, 1986, p. 156). Hypnosis had managed to decrease the extent of anxiety of witnesses. Memory plays a diverging role in the mind work of humans. Positive memories are potential enough to influence humans to behave positively while negative memories may cause mental distortion. Hypnosis had been widely used in criminology for reducing anxiety so that witness could help in investigation as well as get away with mental stress (Rowley, 1986, p. 156). With the effective use of hypnosis, it could be said that forensic investigation can considerably achieve higher results. Methods which have already been used in the field of criminological investigation are eye closures, FM etc. which can yield quicker and accurate results if they are used as a combination with hypnosis (Wagstaff, 2009, p. 52). Graham F. Wagstaff claimed in his research that hypnosis can help in getting information of witness who tries to make excuses due to anxiety because hypnosis process includes induction method (Wagstaff, 2009, p. 52). Hypnosis must be carried by following some of the important guidelines as proposed by law enforcement agencies. Many law and enforcement agencies are being trained for hypnosis investigative process. According to David Waxman, there are some of the guidelines that should be considered as important before employing hypnosis for the purpose of forensic investigation of criminal cases (Waxman, 1983, p. 482). It is important to note that only a psychologist and psychiatrist holding degree in the research and study of hypnosis is suppose to carry the process of hypnosis for forensic investigation of criminal cases. The limitation that had been observed in the field of criminology in terms of hypnosis is that the subject (victim, witness or culprit) must be willing to undergo hypnosis (Waxman, 1983, p. 482). The case can only be solved with the clear understanding of all the facts and figures of the investigation done prior or are ongoing status. The forensic hypnotist expert must study the case thoroughly so that the implication of hypnosis is carefully done without any uncertainty (Waxman, 1983, p. 482). Hypnosis is a sensitive process and must be carried out in the accurate way so that there are no possibilities of fallacies. It is suggested and considered as important that psychologist must be able to separately address biased information. Erika Fromm, Michael R. Nash also agreed to this point and addressed a similar point by elaborating that hypnosis should be an infantile mode of relating different aspects (Fromm & Nash, 1992, p. 165). Forensic investigation is greatly associated with the medical investigation. It is due to the fact that hypnotist must know the medical history of subject so that hypnosis could be carried and yield results to fulfill needs for legal proceedings (Waxman, 1983, p. 482). A person who had unfortunate prior disorders could be affected by hypnosis. For instance, depression had been observed as a psychological disorder that might not let hypnotist to get regulative imagination from the subject (Goldstein, 2007, p. 133). In order to keep strict records of the criminological speech during the investigation process of hypnosis, video tapes and recordings are encouraged to be tapped so that the speech could be analyzed in order (Waxman, 1983, p. 483). Forensic investigation is the most important field of investigation and therefore every angle of the case must be overlooked. Videotapes and recordings may help the investigators to review the speech of subject. Chapter 3: Case Studies This chapter includes hypnotically investigated cases from the records of criminology that helps us to understand how successful hypnosis investigative tool had proved in the field of criminology. Following mentioned studies will help us to reach on conclusion based upon the practical examples of hypnosis on real-life criminal cases. Case #1 Boston Strangler Boston Strangler was an expression which was referred to the criminal Albert DeSalvo who committed murders and sex assaults against thirteen single women aged 19 to 85 during the years 1963 to 1964. The murderer was efficient in leaving no prints and evidences of breaking into these women home. The investigation bureau commented that the cases included a similar pattern of fact indicating woman to be aware of assailant. Police were had to claim that the murdered were either hope repairing person or some other personnel of service provider. Albert DeSalvo On 27th of October, 1964 committed another woman sex assault, but he could not murder the lady and left her with apologizing for the assault. The assaulted woman reported sex assault case. The woman gave the description of the assailant during the hypnotic investigation of police. In this way, the police were able to suspect the criminal as posters of advertisements were pasted throughout the city. With the help of described image of the assailant through the help of hypnotic investigation, the turmoil of the case was graded away (Foran & Starrs, 2004). Case #2 Kidnapping of 26 school children and a bus driver Twenty six school going children were kidnapped in California in 1976 along with the bus driver. After kidnapping these children and bus river, they were buried underground alive. Fortunately, the bus driver and children successfully made their way through digging the grave. The school children and driver thus contacted law and enforcement agencies. The highlight of the case was the hypnosis technique that was used for the investigation (Howell, 2010). The investigation through hypnosis was conducted by renowned clinical professor of anesthesiology, Dr. Williams S. Kroger. Through investigative technique of hypnosis, the driver was able to recall the numerals of the name plate of the vehicle which was used for the purpose of kidnapping. Consequently, there suspects were convicted for the case of kidnapping. Hypnosis technique of investigation thus is considered to be effective in the investigation process in criminology (Yapko, 2003, p. 113). Case #3 Murder of Olivia Hope and Ben Smart in Marlborough in 1998 Criminal Scott Watson was imprisoned for the murders of Olivia Hope and Ben Smart in the year 1998. The dead bodies of victims were never found in the suspected areas of Marlborough. The only witness of the case was Guy Wallace who was a taxi driver. He recorded his speech as a witness claiming that he drove the taxi and dropped both the victims on an anchored yacht before the night they were murdered by Scott Watson (NZ Limited, 2003). The police investigation process conducted hypnosis to help witness recall the name of the yacht. Successfully, witness managed to recall the name of the yacht with the help of hypnotic investigative tool. The name of the yacht as recalled by the witness was Exiora. Before the application of hypnosis, witness was able to mention that the name of the yacht had an alphabet “Z”. Later on, with the help of hypnosis it became evident that the name of the yacht did not contain Z alphabet but the pronunciation included sound of Z alphabet. Witness Guy Wallace also managed to describe the yacht with help of hypnosis as he claimed that the yacht had only one mast (NZ Limited, 2003). Chapter 4: Conclusion Through the context of above analysis regarding hypnotic process of investigation, it could be said that hypnosis had previously helped in solving great deal of criminal cases. Hypnosis can be applied in other fields as well because it had been proved as an accurate method of recalling memories with the employment of induction. Hypnosis can help in reducing stress of memories and thus works effectively in the field of criminology, Controversies in the field of criminology had been constantly put forward regarding the use of hypnosis in the field of forensic investigation of criminal cases. The debate had been ongoing but defensive accounts have managed to conclude hypnotic investigative tool is effective for investigation to a higher extent. Special use of hypnosis as an investigative tool could be done in the cases where victims and witnesses are exposed to a lot of pressure. Through the above research is could be said that hypnosis can work as a pressure reducer where the imagination of victims and thus induction process can successfully be taken provided the psychological status or mental health of victim or witness is balanced. The cases of kidnapping of 26 school children and Boston Strangler as mentioned above helps us in understanding the fact that hypnosis can considerably used in the forensic investigation. The extent to which hypnosis could be used as an investigative technique in criminology depends upon the understanding of psychologists and psychiatrists with the case. The result of the research claims that following the guidelines proposed by law and enforcement agencies, hypnosis can be used for investigation. Hypnosis could be more effective if it is being used with other methods of investigation such as eye closure, FM etc. Furthermore, it could be said that hypnosis is potential to solve serious criminal cases as it could help in getting increased vivid imagery. With the help of aforementioned overview of hypnosis, theories and controversies, implications, impacts of hypnosis and cases which have been solved with help of hypnosis investigative tool, it could be said that hypnosis plays a role of effective investigative tool in criminology. Some of the questions which are yet required to be resolved are related to human cognition ability to undergo induction process. The limitation of this research is that it does not include such cases where hypnosis had partially worked. Cases where the witnesses or victims are suffering through depression may overdue and exaggerate their statements regarding forensic investigation of any criminal case. The question related to the differentiation between correct and incorrect details given by the victim or witness through hypnosis had not been addressed in this research. It is suggested that future research to be continued in the same area must address the key factors of psychology that are associated with the induction process of hypnosis. List of References Dengrove, E. (1973). The Uses of Hypnosis in Behavior Therapy. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis , 21 (3), 13-17. District Attorney. (2010, January 26). Hypnosis as an Investigative Tool. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from Co. Jefferson : http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/da/da_T99_R2.htm Foran, D., & Starrs, J. (2004). In Search of The Boston Strangler: Genetic evidence from. Med. Sci. Law , 44 (1), 1-8. Fromm, E., & Nash, M. (1992). Contemporary Hypnosis Research. New York: Guilford Press. Fromm, E., & Shor, R. (2009). Hypnosis: Developments in Research and New Perspectives. New York: Transaction Publishers. Goldstein, A. (2007). Forensic Psychology: Emerging Topics and Expanding Roles. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. Howell, M. (2010, June 12). Forensic Application of Hypnosis. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from Marx Howell: http://www.marxhowell.com/Forensic-Application-of-Hypnosis-Howell.html Kocsis, R. (2009). Applied criminal psychology: A Guide to Forensic Behavioral Sciences. Illinois : Charles C Thomas Publisher. Kroge, W., & Yapko, M. (2004). Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis in Medicine, Dentistry and Psychology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Levanway, R. (1972). Advanced General Psychology: A Review of Concepts, Principles, Theories, Issues and Methodology. Boston: F. A. Davis Co. NZ Limited. (2003, June 30). Hypnosis Brings New Information in Sounds Murder Case. Retrieved August 25, 2010, from NZ Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sounds-murders/news/article.cfm?c_id=622&objectid=3510088 Polmeni, M. (2004). Hypnosis: A New Anesthetic Technique. Pediatric Anesthesia , 975–976. Rowley, T. (1986). Hypnosis & hypnotherapy. Pennsylvania: Taylor and Francis. Scheflin, A., & Shapiro, J. (1989). Trance on Trial . New York: Guilford. Sheehan, P., & McConkey, K. (1993). Forensic Hypnosis: The Application of Ethical Guidelines. Washington DC.: American Psychological Association. Society of Psychological Hypnosis . (2004). An Introduction to Hypnosis. Honolulu: Society of Psychological Hypnosis . The British Psychological Society. (2001). The Nature of Hypnosis. Leicester: The British Psychological Society. Wagstaff, G. (2009). Is There a Future for Investigative Hypnosis? Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling , 6 (1), 43–57. Waxman, D. (1983). Use of hypnosis in criminology:. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine , 76 (1), 480-484. Yapko, M. (2003). Trancework:Aan Introduction to the Practice of Clinical Hypnosis. New York: Routledge. Read More