User Contributed Dictionary
Noun
- A form of psychotherapy in which the patient is administered drugs in order to attain a sleeplike state.
Related terms
Extensive Definition
Narco Analysis Test or Narco Test: This refers to
the practice of administering barbiturates or certain other
chemical substances, most often Pentothal Sodium, to lower a
subject's inhibitions, in the hope that the subject will more
freely share information and feelings. The term Narco Analysis was
coined by Horseley. Narco analysis first reached the mainstream in
1922, when Robert House, a Texas obstetrician 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 its 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 inhibitions are lowered
by interfering with his nervous system at the molecular level. In
this state, it becomes difficult though not impossible for him to
lie. 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. 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. Studies have shown that it is possible to lie under
narcoanalysis and its reliability as an investigative tool is
questioned in most countries. A few democratic countries, India
most notably, still continue to use narcoanalysis. This has come
under increasing criticism from the public and the media in that
country. Narcoanalysis is not openly permitted for investigative
purposes in most developed and/or democratic countries. but the
result of such test can not be used as evidence in the court of law
since it violates fundamental right against self-incrimination
(Article 20(3) of the constitution of India).
In India, the Narco Analysis test is done by a
team comprising of an anesthesiologist, 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.
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 fantasy and deception under the influence of these drugs. In India, the test is done but with the consent of the person in question.Reliability
Although inhibitions are generally reduced, people under the influence of truth serums are still able to lie and even tend to fantasize. It can be used for discovery, and to corroborate with other fact.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. Some benzodiazepines have been used as truth agents; most notably, the Soviet Union used temazepam for this purpose.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.External links
narcoanalysis in French:
Narcoanalyse