Narco Analysis

[shreyassxin]

Introduction
Narco Analysis Test or Narco Test: This refers to the practice of administering barbiturates or certain other chemical substances, most often Pentothal Sodium, to lower a subject's inhibitions, in the hope that the subject will more freely share information and feelings. The term Narco Analysis was coined by Horseley.
Narco analysis first reached the mainstream in 1922, when Robert House, a Texas obstetrician used the drug scopolamine on two prisoners. Since then narco testing has become largely discredited in most democratic states, including the United States and Britain. There is a vast body of literature calling into question its ability to yield legal truth. Additionally, narcoanalysis has serious legal and ethical implications.
HOW IS IT DONE?
A person is able to lie by using his imagination. In the Narco Analysis Test, the subject's inhibitions are lowered by interfering with his nervous system at the molecular level. In this state, it becomes difficult though not impossible for him to lie. In such sleep-like state efforts are made to obtain "probative truth" about the crime. Experts inject a subject with hypnotics like Sodium Pentothal or Sodium Amytal under the controlled circumstances of the laboratory. The dose is dependent on the person's sex, age, health and physical condition. The subject which is put in a state of hypnotism is not in a position to speak up on his own but can answer specific but simple questions after giving some suggestions.
DISADVANTAGES
• Studies have shown its possible to LIE under narco test.
• This type of test is not only admissible in the law court it states the subject under a semi-conscious state do not have the mind set to answer the questions properly.
• Sodium pentothal; is an ultra short acting barbiturate. It slows down the heartbeat, lowers the blood pressure and inhibits brain and spinal cord activity..
ADVANTAGES
• Its difficult for a person to lie under the narco analysis test and the answers would be restricted to facts he is already aware of it.
• It is an investigating tool which makes it easier for the cops to catch the crime
NARCO ANALYSIS IN INDIA
In India, narco-analysis was first used in 2002 in the Godhra carnage case. It was also in the news after the famous Arun Bhatt kidnapping case in Gujarat wherein the accused had appeared before NHRC and the Supreme Court of India against undergoing the narco-analysis. It was again in the news in the Telgi stamp paper scam when Abdul Karim Telgi was taken to the test in December 2003.