Narcoanalysis and Truth Serum
Much publicity has been given to the use of drugs in obtaining confessions from suspected criminals. The term "truth serum" suggests the existence of a drug with the remarkable property of eliciting the truth. The reputation enjoyed by truth se- rum is based on spectacular newspaper reports rather than on carefully documented case reports in professional medical or legal journals. The test is sometimes used by law enforcement officers, but it is doubtful whether it is as useful as popular belief would suggest. The description truth serum is misleading as the drug used is not a serum, and it does not always lead to the truth. Formerly scopalamine was used, but today a barbiturate drug, such as sodium amytal, is usually employed. The test may not be performed unless the suspect willingly gives his consent. The drug is injected slowly into a vein in order to induce a relaxed state of mind in which the suspect becomes more talkative and has less emotional control.
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