HISTORY OF FORENSIC HYPNOSIS

The use of hypnosis as a law enforcement investigative tool began in the 1950's, however it was not until the early 1970's that Dr. Martin Reiser, Psychologist for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), pioneered the research and development of the forensic application of hypnosis in investigating crimes where witnesses observed more information than they could recall during routine police interviews.  From 1975 to 1978, at the program's infancy, the application of forensic hypnosis, also known as investigative hypnosis,  for LAPD resulted in the obtaining of valuable information 64% of the time.

FORENSIC HYPNOSIS AS A VALID INVESTIGATIVE TOOL

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopted forensic hypnosis under the leadership of Inspector Marx Howell in 1980.  Inspector Howell trained under Dr. Reiser in California as well as other pioneering experts in the field.  Historical statistics kept by Inspector Howell and the Texas Department of Public Safety over the initial 8 year period where Department officers used forensic hypnosis on witnesses and/or victims in criminal cases indicate that additional information was obtained approximately 75% of the time.