Narcoanalysis is a forensic technique where a psychotropic drug like sodium pentothal is used to induce a hypnotic or semi-conscious state for interrogation purposes. It was first used in 1922 in the US and was widely adopted by intelligence agencies. In India, it is still used with court permission at forensic labs in Bangalore and Gujarat. A team of experts including a psychologist, psychiatrist, physician and anesthesiologist conduct the pre-test interview, administer the drug, question the subject in the induced state, and conduct a post-test interview. While it can potentially help elicit concealed information, there are legal and ethical issues around using it given constitutional protections against self-incrimination.

1. NARCOANALYSIS
By
Natasha Puri
Roll No.-3905
M.Sc Forensic Science 1st Sem.
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2. INTRODUCTION
 Technique used in the Forensic Psychology for
Investigation Purposes
 Means “Anaesthesia”
 Term was coined by Horseley
 A diagnostic and psychotherapeutic technique that uses
psychotropic drugs
 It’s a process of abreaction or catharsis
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3.  Also known as Truth Serum or Drug Hypnosis or Narco
interview technique
 Hypnosis is induced by using Barbiturate’s or other
psychotropic drugs as a means of releasing repress
feelings
 Technique effective in two ways i.e
a. Therapeutic
b. Rehabilitative
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4. HISTORY
 It first reached the mainstream in 1922,when Robert House, a
Texas obstretrician used the drug Scopolamine on two prisoners
 American Armed Forces and Intelligence Agencies continued to
experiment with Truth Drug mostly Barbiturate during and after
war
 It was widely used in 1940’s
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5. NARCO ANALYSIS IN INDIA
 A few democratic countries, India most notably, still continue
to use narco analysis
 Narco analysis/Narco interview for the purpose of interview is
conducted in a Forensic Laboratory
 Interview is conducted in laboratory where facility of minor
operation theater is available
 In India, at Bangalore & Gujarat test is conducted
 Consent of Court is require
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6.  Objective of the test is to extract information from the
accused when s/he in hypnotic state
 Comprises the whole team of expert
 Helps to elicit concealed info relevant to crime
 Helps in eliminating the innocent person
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7. PRINCIPLE
 By using imagination a person is able to lie
 In this test, subject’s imagination is neutralised by making
him/her semi-conscious
In this state, it becomes difficult to lie and answers would
be restricted to facts s/he is already aware of
Efforts are made to obtain probative truth about the crime
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8. TEAMS OF EXPERT
 Clinical Forensic Psychologist
Psychiatrist
 Physician
 Anesthetist
 Audio-Videographer
 Writer
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9. PROCEDURE OF NARCO-ANALYSIS
It includes following
Pre Test Interview
 Pre-Narcotic State
 Semi-Narcotic State
 Post Test Interview
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10. Pre Test Interview:
 Individual is explained regarding the whole
procedure and informed consent is taken
Pre Narcotic State:
Anaesthetist induces narco and maintain the pre-
narcotic state throughout the interview
 Drug is injected till the person appears relaxed and in
a state of good contact
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11. Drug i.e Sod.Pentothal is given
intravenously to induce hypnosis
A 5% or 10% solution of drug
injected slowly in antecubital vein
NMT 1gm/grain per minute
 As individual’s speech starts
slurring interview begins
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12. Semi Narcotic State:
After establishing the semi narcotic state and the
individual’s appears to be:
a. Flushed
b. Slowing and slurred speech
c. Nystagmus observing by testing examinee’s eye
muscle with finger
 Forensic Psychologist or Psychiatrist facilitate the
interview
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13. Individual is allowed to sleep off and allowed to
wake up on his/her off
 Once s/he wake up, anaesthetist checks him/her and
allow to drink coffee or tea
 Complete narco interview is audio-video recoded and
also written
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14. MOA of Drug
 Sod. Pentothal(thiopental,
Thiopentone)is a rapid onset
Short acting barbiturate general
anaesthetic
It acts on GABA-A Receptor
 GABA Receptor are
Inhibitory channel & barbiturate
Enhance inhibitory activity
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15. Post Test Interview:
a.Memory is Checked
b.Individual is allowed to know what s/he has
spoken during interview
c.Individal experience more relax and anxiety free
state
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16. IMPORTANT ISSUES
 Informed consent & willingness to go Narcoanalysis
 IO’s requirement in aid of investigation
 Provision of law in Indian Constitution
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17. CASES WHERE IT HAS BEEN AID
 Nithari Murder Case
 Aarushi Case
 Abdul Karim Telgi Case
 Bhavri Devi Case*
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18. LEGAL STATUS
On 5th May 2010 Supreme Court Of India
Concluded following point w.r.t this test
Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution-
"No person accused of any offence shall be
compelled to be a witness against himself.
 The Test result can’t be admitted as
evidence if they have been obtained through
the use of compulsion
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19. CONCLUSION
 It is a proven technique in the medical set up as well
as in forensic set up for investigation purpose
Test require procedure, precaution & expertise to use
in the investigation
 Suspect willingness & his right need to be protected
as mentioned in NHRC
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20. REFERENCE
 Supriya Rai, Narcoanalysis Test Constitutional
Imperatives, SLS
 Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Sahara Samay
 V. Rediffnews.com
 Hem Raj Singh: Narco Analysis: constitutionally
Questionable, Lawyers Update
http://www.globetrotters.co.uk/bites/bite_485.html
 http://www.biopsychiatry.com/amobarbital.htm
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main24.asp?filename=Ne1
23006Narcoanalysistest_CS.asp
 http://in.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/09spec.htm
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