Basic Investigative Hypnosis

COURSE NUMBER 1009

TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT

Reformatted 2015

TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT

BASIC INVESTIGATIVE HYPNOSIS

Course 1009

ABSTRACT

Student’s will obtain a thorough knowledge of the objectives, procedures, and methods of hypnosis including induction technique, information eliciting, de-hypnotizing, reporting procedures, and legal aspects as it relates to the use of investigative hypnosis by a peace officer.

To train law enforcement and criminal justice professionals in the criminological (non-therapeutic) uses of hypnosis.

Instructor Prerequisites:

TCOLE Instructor with prior Investigative Hypnosis Course Completion, or

Documented Subject Matter Expert

Student Prerequisites:

Experienced Investigator

Instructional Time:

Minimal time is 40 hours

(Includes classroom, practical and field exercise)

Method(s) of Presentation:

Classroom lecture, demonstration

Suggested Text:

“Handbook of Investigative Hypnosis”

By Dr. Martin Reiser

L.E.H.I. Publishing

303 Gretna Green Way

Los Angeles, CA 90049

(213) 476-6024

INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC HYPNOSIS COURSE

OBJECTIVES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT


TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPIC / SECTION
Hypnosis - Historical Background and the Present State of Hypnosis / 1.0
Basic Psychodynamics / 2.0
Nature of Hypnosis and Theories, Misconceptions, Myths,
Possible Dangers / 3.0
Role of the Police Investigative Hypnotist / 4.0
Victim/Witness Checklist / 5.0
Suggestibility Principles of the Mind / 6.0
Hypnosis Susceptibility Tests / 7.0
Ideometer Responses and the Use of the Chevreul Pendulum / 8.0
Antisocial Aspects of Hypnosis / 9.0
Ethical and Professional Aspects of Hypnosis / 10.0
Rapport Building, Interviewing Techniques and Proper Questioning
of Witnesses/Victims / 11.0
Induction Techniques Used in Investigative and Forensic Hypnosis / 12.0
Deepening Techniques Utilized in Investigative and Forensic
Hypnosis / 13.0
Hypnotic and Post Hypnotic Suggestions - Techniques / 14.0
Religious Attitudes Involving Hypnosis / 15.0
Body Language and its Uses in Investigative and Forensic
Hypnosis / 16.0
Difficult Subjects and Rapid Techniques of Hypnosis / 17.0
Hypnotic Techniques for Eliciting Information / 18.0
Maintaining Deep Hypnosis and Additional Induction and
Deepening Techniques / 19.0
Linguistics in Investigative Hypnosis / 20.0
Proper Techniques for Obtaining a Composite Drawing / 21.0
Hypnotic Techniques for Children / 22.0
Legal Status of Hypnosis and Courtroom Expert Witness
Qualifications / 23.0
Reports and Record Keeping in Investigative and Forensic
Hypnosis / 24.0
Definitions in Glossary of Required Text / 25.0


1.0 HYPNOSIS - HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND THE PRESENT STATE OF HYPNOSIS:

During this unit of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding of the importance of hypnosis, its utilizations and the present state of the investigative hypnotic techniques.

1.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the ancient civilizations (Greeks, Romans) with a history of using hypnosis.

1.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will describe the origin of the word hypnosis in conjunction with the appropriate definitions of the hypnotic state.

1.3 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will identify the utilization of hypnosis in the past 125 years and its different applications (ex. Mesmerism, stage hypnosis, hypnosis in medicine, hypnosis in psychology, and hypnosis in criminology.)

2.0 BASIC PSYCHODYNAMICS:

During this unit of instruction the student will obtain an understanding of the basic PSYCHODYNAMICS of the human mind, and the theories of how memory works.

2.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the basic functions of the left and right hemisphere of the brain.

2.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student shall identify psychological defense mechanisms.

2.3 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to describe the basic brainwave levels and their relationship to hypnosis (ex. Beta, alpha, theta, and delta.)

2.4 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student shall explain short and long term theories of memory.

3.0 NATURE OF HYPNOSIS AND THEORIES, MISCONCEPTIONS, MYTHS, POSSIBLE DANGERS:

During this unit of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding of the nature and theories of hypnosis. The student will also be aware of the common misconceptions of hypnosis, of the many myths concerning hypnosis, and of the possible misuses or dangers of hypnosis.

3.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify various myths and misconceptions of hypnosis.

3.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify possible dangerous situations in hypnosis.

4.0 ROLE OF THE POLICE INVESTIGATIVE HYPNOTIST:

During this unit of instruction the student will understand the role of an investigative hypnotist.

4.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will describe the role of an investigative hypnotist.

5.0 VICTIM/WITNESS CHECKLIST:

During this unit of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding of the correct victim/witness checklist for their pre-hypnosis interview.

5.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the importance of the pre-hypnosis checklist.

6.0 SUGGESTIBILITY PRINCIPLES OF THE MIND:

During this unit of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding of the principles of suggestibility that affect the mind, and how these principles of suggestibility apply in an investigative hypnosis session.

6.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the importance of suggestibility principles in a controlled environment when utilizing hypnosis.

6.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the basic principles of suggestibility.

7.0 HYPNOSIS SUSCEPTIBILITY TESTS:

During this unit of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding and a working knowledge of the different susceptibility tests utilized for investigative and forensic hypnosis.

7.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the importance of susceptibility tests.

7.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify and demonstrate their ability in using the handclasp susceptibility technique.

7.3 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify and demonstrate their ability in utilizing the Spiegel eyeroll susceptibility technique.

7.4 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify and demonstrate their ability to utilize the postural sway susceptibility technique.

8.0 IDEOMOTOR RESPONSES AND THE USE OF THE CHEVREUL PENDULUM

During this unit of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding and a working knowledge of the importance of ideomotor response, the utilization of the Chevreul Pendulum, and their uses in investigative and forensic hypnosis.

8.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the importance of ideomotor responses for eliciting information.

8.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the different ideomotor response techniques.

8.3 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the various uses of the Chevreul Pendulum and the uses of each.

9.0 ANTISOCIAL ASPECTS OF HYPNOSIS:

During this unit of instruction the student will have an understanding of the possible anti-social aspects of hypnosis.

9.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will describe the possible anti-social aspects of hypnosis.

10.0 ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL ASPECTS OF HYPNOSIS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding of the ethical and professional aspects of hypnosis.

10.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the importance of ethical and professional consideration in investigative hypnosis.

10.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will outline the ethical and professional considerations in hypnosis.

11.0 RAPPORT BUILDING, INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES AND PROPER QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES/VICTIMS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic working knowledge of the proper ways of establishing rapport, and the proper techniques in interviewing and questioning witnesses and victims of crimes using investigative hypnosis techniques.

11.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the correct ways of establishing rapport with a victim or witness to a crime.

11.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify and demonstrate the proper interviewing techniques of a witness/victim.

12.0 INDUCTION TECHNIQUES USED IN INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC HYPNOSIS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic working knowledge of the techniques used to induce hypnosis in an investigative and forensic hypnosis session.

12.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify and demonstrate the various eye fixation induction techniques.

12.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student should be able to identify and demonstrate the various non-verbal induction and kinetic pressure techniques used in investigative hypnosis.

12.3 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student should be able to identify and demonstrate the various confusion techniques used in the induction of investigative and forensic hypnosis.

12.4 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student should be able to demonstrate various verbal and non-verbal induction techniques that can be utilized in investigative hypnosis.

13.0 DEEPENING TECHNIQUES UTILIZED IN INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC HYPNOSIS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a working knowledge of the various deepening techniques utilized in investigative and forensic hypnosis.

13.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to utilize the various deepening techniques in a controlled environment, and will by written or oral examination be able to demonstrate this understanding to a specified percentage.

14.0 HYPNOTIC AND POST HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS - TECHNIQUES:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a working knowledge of hypnotic and post hypnotic suggestions.

14.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to apply proper hypnotic suggestions in a controlled hypnotic situation.

14.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to apply post hypnotic suggestions properly in a controlled environment.

15.0 RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES INVOLVING HYPNOSIS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic knowledge of the various religious attitudes concerning hypnosis.

15.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the various religions that condone the use of hypnosis.

15.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the various religions that have objections to hypnosis and understanding the objections.

16.0 BODY LANGUAGE AND ITS USES IN INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC HYPNOSIS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding of human body language and its meanings.

16.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to demonstrate various body language signals in a controlled environment in hypnosis.

17.0 DIFFICULT SUBJECTS AND RAPID INDUCTION TECHNIQUES OF HYPNOSIS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding of the various types of difficult hypnotic subjects and will become familiar with various rapid induction techniques of hypnosis.

17.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify difficult subjects and use the proper techniques to induce hypnosis.

17.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to demonstrate various rapid induction techniques.

18.0 HYPNOTIC TECHNIQUES FOR ELICITING INFORMATION:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding and working knowledge of the various techniques used in investigative hypnosis for eliciting facts and information that the subject had forgotten for one reason or another.

18.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to describe and utilize the proper elicitation technique during the investigative hypnosis session.

A. The movie theatre technique

B. The time door technique

C. The calendar technique

D. Ideomotor finger signals

E. Visualizing the chalk board technique

F. Automatic writing techniques

G. Post hypnotic suggestions

H. The induced dream techniques

I. Positive hallucination technique

J. Negative hallucination technique

19.0 MAINTAINING HYPNOSIS AND ADDITIONAL INDUCTION AND DEEPENING TECHNIQUES:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding and working knowledge of the techniques utilized in maintaining hypnosis and the techniques used to achieve deep hypnosis.

19.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to identify the various deepening techniques.

19.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to discuss the value of maintaining hypnosis in an investigative hypnosis session.

20.0 LINGUISTICS IN INVESTIGATIVE HYPNOSIS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic rationale and a working knowledge of the importance of proper linguistics in an investigative hypnosis session.

20.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will explain the importance of proper linguistics throughout the hypnosis session. Specifically, proper linguistics during the time of elicitation of information.

21.0 PROPER TECHNIQUES FOR OBTAINING A COMPOSITE DRAWING:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding and a working knowledge of the proper techniques to be used in obtaining a composite drawing from a hypnotized victim/witness to a crime.

21.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will explain the proper methods and techniques utilized in obtaining a composite drawing during an investigative hypnosis session.

22.0 HYPNOTIC TECHNIQUES FOR CHILDREN:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding and working knowledge of the techniques utilized in working with children in an investigative and forensic hypnosis session.

22.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will summarize the appropriate techniques used in working with children.

22.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will distinguish between the differences that exist between hypnotizing an adult and hypnotizing a child.

23.0 LEGAL STATUS OF HYPNOSIS AND COURTROOM EXPERT WITNESS QUALIFICATIONS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding and working knowledge of expert witness testimony in a court of law and qualification. The student will also have a knowledge of the present state and legal status of hypnosis as it concerns him or her.

23.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will list the qualifications necessary for him/her to be certified as an expert witness in a court of law.

23.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will recall the relevant legal cases in the United States, and more specifically, in the State of Texas; as it concerns the use of investigative forensic hypnosis.

24.0 REPORTS AND RECORD KEEPING IN INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC HYPNOSIS:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic understanding and working knowledge of the reports and records that are necessary in an investigative and forensic hypnosis session.

24.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will discuss the importance of the following:

A. The importance of audible tape recordings throughout the entire hypnosis interview.

B. The importance of video taping throughout the entire hypnosis interview.

C. The importance of release forms.

D. The importance of case data sheets.

E. The importance of ideomotor finger signal data sheets.

F. The importance of automatic writing data sheets.

G. The importance of case evaluation sheets.

25.0 DEFINITIONS IN GLOSSARY OF REQUIRED TEXT:

During this course of instruction the student will obtain a basic knowledge of the definitions in the glossary of the required text.

25.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will be able to explain each word in the glossary and how it relates to investigative hypnosis.

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