WORLD LEADER IN FORENSIC HYPNOSIS

Inspector Marx Howell of the Texas Department of Public Safety proposed to the Texas Association for Investigative Hypnosis that they support legislation for mandatory training, testing and certification of all police officers in Texas who use hypnosis as an interviewing technique.  Ultimately, Senate Bill 929 was passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by the Governor of Texas making Texas the first state in the United States with mandatory requirements.  This single development has defined Texas as the world leader in forensic hypnosis.

THE DEFINING COURT DECISION

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued a decision in Zani v. State on June 29, 1988, that addressed the use of forensic hypnosis prior to court testimony.  This court ruling remains a defining guideline for Texas law enforcement officers to follow as well as a guide for other courts and forensic hypnotists all over the world.

MOTIVATED TO COOPERATE

In most of the cases where forensic hypnosis is applied, volunteer witnesses and victims are highly motivated to cooperate and assist with the investigation.  This motivation is the building block for rapport and mutual trust between the forensic hypnotist and the subject, which is the key to successful sessions.