Serum of Truth: History and Application

At the end of the 18th century, the term "serum of truth" began to be used in criminalistics. The Italian investigator, Montague, first made a suspect injecting opium in order for him to "untie" the language and he laid out all the information that interested law enforcement. In scientific circles, the receipt from a person of true testimony under the influence of a variety of chemical agents is called drug analysis. This method, as well as hypnosis is often used in those cases where the interrogated for one reason or another is not able to recall any events that are of interest to the investigation.

As early as the 1920s, Texas-based Dr. E. House conducted research on the use of scopolamine ("truth serum") in forensic science. The doctor argued that his method under certain conditions is unbeaten. House told me that he can fetch from the subject all the information that interests him. The doctor was confident that Scopolamine would "untie" the language of any person, and the method he developed was also reliable, as was the fingerprinting of fingers.

Later it was found that some criminals can lie even under anesthesia, and people who give truthful testimony are sometimes confused when in this state. To date, drug analysis in forensics is used very rarely, however, there is also other information that "serum of truth" is actively used in relation to stubborn offenders.

The interrogated can become a valuable source of information, through which the investigator will concentrate his efforts in the specific direction of the investigation. According to the legislation of Western countries, drug analysis is conducted in a medical hospital. Before the implementation of this procedure, a working group is formed, which includes an anesthesiologist, psychiatrists, representatives of the defense, as well as charges, judges, psychologists, experimental scientists, foreign language experts, investigators.

It should be noted that the necessary condition for conducting psychoanalysis is scientific utility and objectivity, knowledge of the details of the case, as well as the personality characteristics of the suspect himself. Professionals claim that this procedure is safe for health, and the truth will certainly be established. All drugs, which are used for drug analysis, belong to the barbiturate group. These agents are administered intravenously. We can say that sodium amital, scomalamine and sodium pentotal are the "truth serum", which is used to obtain true testimony.

When you enter the body of these drugs, a twilight state occurs, which is sometimes called "half-consciousness." In this case, the patient disconnects "censorship of consciousness", he releases true, deep feelings.

After the introduction of drugs with a suspect, they first talk on neutral topics that do not belong to a crime. All indications are recorded. After anesthesia, the suspect is provided with a film on which all of his indications are available. A professionally conducted interrogation helps investigators obtain facts about the innocence or guilt of the suspect.

"Serum of Truth" was also developed by Soviet special services. It should be said that our compatriots quite successfully coped with the task. Even in the Second World War in the arsenal of the NKVD there were unique means that showed an anesthetic, tonic, soporific and tranquilizing effect.

Scientists continued to seek "pravodonnye" drugs. In the forties, specialists seriously undertook the study of mescaline. This substance belongs to the group of drugs that are obtained from the Mexican cactus. It has been experimentally proved that, under the influence of mescaline, the language is "untied" and the will completely disappears. However, it exhibits a short-term effect.

American forensics tested marijuana for the same purpose. The experiments were unsuccessful. A little later, the Americans said that the drug LSD - "serum of truth." At home, it is almost impossible to create this remedy, because even now, no one will say exactly what this drug is. As such a product may be alcohol.