Hypnosis * Psychotherapy
Forensic Hypnosis: The Federal Model
The investigation department of the Armed
forces, Secret Service, Treasury
Department, and the FBI have established a
single standard for the use of hypnosis known
as the Federal Model (Adult, 1979).
Federal guidelines impose specific
conditions for determining when the
technique may have potential as well as
circumstances when it must not be used
(Hibler, 1984).
The Federal Model states that hypnosis
may be useful in the following instances: (1)
as a last resort after all traditional
investigation methods of law enforcement
have been used; (2) only with felony offenses;
(3) a situation which suggests that further
recall may be possible; and (4) there must be
separate, indisputable elements with which to
confirm the accuracy of hypnotic data.
According to Federal Model, Hypnosis
should not be used at all as a tool in the
investigative process in the following
instances: (1) flawed cases: an investigation in
which there are forensic errors which will not
be corrected by the use of hypnosis; (2) Known
subjects cases: when knowledge that a subject
has been identified may influence an opinion
or conclusion and prejudice the witness with
out the witness even realizing it; (3) credibility
of interviewee in question: where doubts
exists, polygraph examination is
recommended; and
(4) involuntary participation: interviews must
not be coercive.
The Federal Model for forensic hypnosis
establishes careful supervision of cases and
review for all requests to uses hypnosis. Final
approval for actually using hypnosis is the
responsibility of a senior agency official who is
distant from the emotional demands of the
investigation and the victims of the crime.
The Federal Model endorse the use of a
"team approach" wherein mental health
practitioners are responsible for all elements of
hypnosis induction and management, and
specially trained investigators collaborate by
developing information in the interviews (Adult,
1981). In addition, interviews are video
recorded and follow an outline to define roles
and the sequence of the process.
References: Adult, R. (1979). Hypnosis in
Criminal Investigation. Springfield, IL.
Adult, R. (1981). Hypnosis-- The FBI Team
Approach. FBI Bulletin, Vol. 49: 5-8.
Hibler, N. (1984). Forensic Hypnosis: To
Hypnotize or Not to Hypnotize, that is the
Question! American Journal of Criminal
Hypnosis, Vol. 27: 52-57. By: TNT
Copyright (c) 1986-2009. Joseph A. Ojeda, Ph.D. The author and publisher wish to make it known that the information expressed herein is the opinion
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