Drug-Induced Revelation and Criminal Investigation

Abstract

Scientific and technological advances become irrevocable traits of the\nculture-however drastic the problems of assimilation and adjustment they\nengender, and however disturbing the value choices they pose. This is true\nnot only of major advances like Freud's concept of the role of the unconscious\nin human behavior but also of less seminal developments like the druginduced\ninterview (narcoanalysis),' which has become an implement of\npsychiatry and with which we are here concerned. Our goal is to further\nunderstanding of the proper conditions and limitations of its use, and of its\npotentialities for abuse. We attempt to appraise narcoanalysis from three\npoints of view: (1) What is it; (2) Under what conditions, if any, will its\nuse (voluntary and involuntary) promote the best interests of the community\n(which is to say, of all individuals); and (3) How adequate is existing law\nto facilitate its appropriate use and discourage its misuse?