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Hypnosis and Identi-Kit: A Study To Determine the Effect of Using Hypnosis in Conjunction With the Making of Identi-Kit Composites

NCJ Number
107226
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1987) Pages: 63-67
Author(s)
J E McNeil; J L Wray; N S Hibler; W D Foster; C E Rhyne; R Thibault
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This research tested the hypothesis that hypnosis can be used to enhance memory for the purpose of constructing Identi-Kit composites, particulary with regard to low-arousal meetings that often occur during the commission of certain crimes.
Abstract
Subjects were students attending the U.S. Air Force Special Investigations Academy, Basic Investigator's Course in Washington, D.C. The 32 men and women were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Each subject entered a room where he or she met an actor who asked the subject for a parcel (the confrontation), and then the subject left the room. Subjects were interviewed to obtain identifying information from which an Identi-Kit composite could be made at two intervals: within a 72 to 96-hour period following the confrontation and 3 weeks later. All individuals in the experimental group were hypnotized, experienced time regression to the time of the confrontation, and given a posthypnotic suggestion designed to allow them to form a mental picture of the actor. The experiment showed that the use of hypnosis was not more effective than traditional Identi-Kit procedures. Subsequent analysis indicated that hypnosis may actually inhibit memory for that purpose. Tables and 4 references.