Scientific American on Truth Serum

Science writer Brendan Borrell, prompted by reports that Mumbai gunman Azam Amir Kasab will be injected with “truth serum” by his Indian interrogators, examines the history of this discredited interrogation technique for Scientific American in a timely article titled, “What Is Truth Serum?”

Mumbai Attacker Reportedly Subjected to Polygraph “Testing” — “Truth Serum” to Follow

CNN reports that the lone gunman reportedly taken alive in the recent attack on Mumbai, India has been subjected to a polygraph test: [Mumbai Joint Police Commissioner of Crime Rakesh] Maria identified the suspect as Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, 21, from Faridkot village in the Okara district of Pakistan’s Punjab province. He is the son of … Read more

Did U.S. Use “Truth Serum” on José Padilla?

In his Spytalk column dated 23 February 2007, Congressional Quarterly Homeland Security editor Jeff Stein addresses the question of whether interrogators administered a mind-altering drug to terrorism suspect José Padilla — a question the Department of Defense is refusing to answer — and discusses past governmental use and abuse of so-called “truth serums.”

Some Believe ‘Truth Serums’ Will Come Back

Washington Post staff writer David Brown reports. Excerpt: If there is a “truth serum” that works, it is a secret that nobody is giving up. The debate earlier this year on interrogation techniques in the war on terrorism raised anew a question that goes back at least 2,000 years. Is there something you can give … Read more