Reports of forensic hypnosis: A critical analysis

Abstract

Because public opinion is substantially influenced by the media, a content analysis was conducted of newspaper reports of the use of hypnosis in criminal investigation. Analysis focused on the quantitative and qualitative information in reports about particular cases in terms of the location of the crime, year of the crime, type of crime, status of the subject, status of the hypnotist, and the value of hypnosis; analysis also focused on the information in commentary reports in terms of the professional, investigative, legal, and scientific issues that were discussed. Overall, the newspaper reports conveyed a relatively enthusiastic endorsement of the use of hypnosis in criminal investigation, and did not sufficiently recognise the potential difficulties involved. The research is discussed in terms of the bidirectional influence of media reports and public opinion, and in terms of the role that the media could play in helping to address substantive issues surrounding forensic hypnosis.