The Validity of Repressed Memories and the Accuracy of Their Recall Through Hypnosis: A Case Study from the Courtroom

Abstract

For 100 years, repressed memories have remained an enigma and a defining point of conflict between various psychological disciplines. Since repressed memories are not readily available for conscious recall, the scientific proof of their existence remains elusive. At the present time, the only way to authenticate the existence of repressed memories is by a case report that documents the reality of the repressed event and then its recall after a period of amnesia. In the following case report, a subject on trial for murder had repressed the events surrounding the crime. Hypnosis was used to recover those memories. That information was then used to dramatically alter the outcome of the trial.