The Indian police have announced they would use truth serum to try to force a confession of out one of the Mumbai terrorists. This is an incredibly controversial move on their part, as truth serum was used as a form of Cold War-era torture technique and is now banned in most democracies.
You're probably thinking of scenes from Meet the Fockers, but this is no laughing matter.
Indian officials are hoping the narcoanalysis will lead to a confession from Azam Amir Kasab regarding ties to Pakistani terrorists.
Truth serums are "sedatives that interfere particularly with judgment and higher cognitive function," according to Wikipedia.
Nothing to kid about. While we're on the topic, check out the more acceptable (and much less effective ways) to try promote confession.
Truth Serum
Have India's Police Gone Too Far?
Trend Themes
1. Controversial Truth Serum Use - Controversial use of truth serum for interrogation by Indian police could spark a re-evaluation of acceptable torture and interrogation techniques.
2. Narcoanalysis for Confessions - With the use of truth serum during an interrogation, a new trend of narcoanalysis may become a norm in police investigations in India and in other countries.
3. Alternative Methods of Interrogation - As truth serum is not available for use in many countries, alternative methods of interrogation could be developed and implemented as less invasive and more ethical approaches to obtaining confessions.
Industry Implications
1. Law Enforcement - The use of truth serum highlights the potential for disruptive innovations to develop more effective and humane interrogation techniques in law enforcement.
2. Pharmaceuticals - The use of truth serum in this situation raises questions about the role of pharmaceuticals in the field of criminal justice and the potential for new types of sedatives to be developed for non-invasive interrogation.
3. National Security - The controversial use of truth serum in terrorism cases is linked to national security and could inspire new advancements in national security practices for intelligence gathering and threat assessment.