Volume 7 Issue 6 June, 2017
❌ Narcoanalysis is a type of hypnotism.
✅ Narcoanalysis is a diagnostic and psychotherapeutic procedure where the subject is taken to a twilight state by drugs mainly barbiturates in which mental elements with strong associated affects come to the surface, where they can be exploited by the therapist.
❌ The revelations under Narcoanalysis are always true and taken as valid evidences in a trial.
✅ Though it is generally difficult to consciously utter a lie during Narcoanalysis, but the explanations given under the procedure may be subject to distortion and are not taken as the conclusive evidence in Indian law and judgments are not usually influenced by this.
❌ Narcoanalysis can be used only on accused for investigative procedures.
✅ Though it is a more widely known fact especially by special media emphasis, this procedure can also be used perhaps more effectively as a psychotherapeutic procedure to understand and reveal subconscious elements which cannot be explored in routine techniques
❌ In criminal investigations, it can be used without informed consent of subject.
✅ Though informed consent is a must for the procedure under any circumstances but under rare and special circumstances like interests of state, a magistrate may direct the test to be conducted.
❌ Any licensed medical practitioner can perform the procedure.
✅ Only a team consisting of qualified and registered Psychiatrist desirable Forensic Psychiatrist, Anesthetist and clinical/forensic psychologist who have special experiences in the field would perform the test.
