TO MAKE PRISONERS TELL THE TRUTH

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2339, 8 January 1926, Page 7

TO MAKE PRISONERS TELL THE TRUTH

USE OF DRUGS IN DIFFICULT CASES i LONDON, December 8. Is It possible to make criminals tell the truth by the action of drugs, and to use as evidence the words of innocent persons who have no other means of clearing themselves from grave charges? Certain medico-legal experts are making experiments which they hopo ,'will' solve this question, and it Is claimed that tests already made have proved the innocence of accused per. sons. How It Works. Most people have heard of "twilight sleep” when drugs, scopolamine and morphia, used in this connection are administered ■by Injection, the effects follow in various stages. The patient loses the power of the senses, hearing, sight, touch, smell, etc. The will no longer functions. But the centres In the brain which control the power of speech are not affected so rapidly or so completely. The sense of hearing goes first, but as the effect of the drug begins to wear off, this sense is the first to be recovered. If the stage at which this happens can be artificially controlled and prolonged, it means that the individual under the anaesthetic can hear and speak, can be asked and can answer questions, though totally unable to control the replies by will. In the normal state a man can choose whether he will tell the truth or lies In reply to what he is asked. Under the effect of drugs such as these, however, he Is totally unable to contro. his answers, though his memory can reply for him. At a recent meeting of the Eastern Society of Anaesthe, tists of the United States, one of the members, Dr. R. E. House, gave a report on his use of what is technically called scopolamlne-apomorphia anu nesla In criminology. He vindicated his method as a humane and scientific alternative to the brutality of the ‘‘Third Degree." A boy who had been imprisoned for highway robbery with firearms could not prove his innocence. Dr. House called for volunteers for an experiment from among those who declared themselves innocent. This boy came forward. At his examination under the drug the local District Attorney was present. The boy’s story was absolutely corroborated by other facts in the District Attorney’s possession, which had so far not been suspected of having any bearing on the case. The boy was released. In another case a boy was accused of a criminal action with re. gard to a girl. It was a question of choosing between the boy's story and the girl’s statement. The Grand Jury believed the girl. The family physician advised him, in opposition to his solicitor, to undergo the scopolamine test. The boy proved his Innocence and he was set free. Leading author, itles in Great Britain who have been consulted on the matter consider that Dr. House’s claim as to the action of the drug can well be taken seriously. .