Narco-analysis

Why in news?

• Newspapers have reported that the Uttar Pradesh government wants to subject the Hathras rape and murder victim’s family members to these tests.

About the Test:

• Narco-analysis is a tool of investigation to help the police, especially to obtain information from uncooperative sources.
• In the Narco Analysis Test, Experts inject the subject with Sodium Pentothal or Sodium Amytal.
• Due to this the subject's imagination is neutralised by making him semi-conscious.
• In this state, it becomes difficult for him to lie and his answers would be restricted to facts he is already aware of.
• The dose is dependent on the person's sex, age, health and physical condition and the entire test could take anywhere between 1 to 3 hours.
• A wrong dose can result in a person going into a coma, or even death.

Validity of the test:

• A Narco Analysis Test report is not totally admissible in court, which considers the circumstances under which it was obtained and assess its admissibility.
• Results of such tests can however be used to get admissible evidence, can be collaborated with other evidence or to support other evidence.
• A supreme court judgment in Smt. Selvi vs State of Karnataka observed that involuntary administration of these scientific tests amounted to a “restraint on personal liberty” and “involuntary testimony” , which is illegal.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding ”Narco Analysis Test”:
1.A person is injected with “sodium thiopental” for the test.
2.In the test, a person’s heart beat  is mapped to check his responses in an unconscious state.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2 
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims Question