posted 10-01-2007 03:45 PM            

I did a search through the forums but didn't find any postings on amnesia, although I seem to remember some. Anyway, I have a possible examinee who is on Ambien and has had episodes of amnesia, which is a known side effect of the drug. There appears to be some question of some night time sexual activity of which his only response at this time is 'I really don't remember if that happened or not.' If this is his only response, I don't see a way to test him. Any ideas, experience, suggestions?

------------------
Ralph Hilliard
PolygraphPlace Owner & Operator

Be sure to visit our new store for all things Polygraph Related
http://store.polygraphplace.com

posted 10-01-2007 03:57 PM            

quote:

---

'I really don't remember if that happened or not.'

---

Its a weak statement. If he "really" didn't remember it then he probably wouldn't say "really."

We sometimes see intoxicated offenders (no question about that) who claim not to remember. Its not idea, but we go ahead and ask them "Do you remember..."

Most will fail, and will admit it when they are against the wall. The problem is that its difficult to get them against the wall, unless they are on probation and risk consequences such as removal from the community.

We've had a small few (maybe one or two) who seem to pass.

Hope this helps.

r

------------------
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room."
--(Stanley Kubrick/Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove, 1964)

posted 10-01-2007 06:41 PM         

Possible RQs include

"Can you specifically remember if you...."

"Right now, can you specifically remember...."

"Are you trying to con me when you say you can't remember whether you...."

Like Ray, my experience has been that almost all are DI, and almost all confess. They're half way to the confession when they say they can't remember.

posted 10-01-2007 07:27 PM            

The reason I asked about additional information is - one time I was asked to test a guy to see if he knew he was masturbating in his sleep. I declined to test the subject. BTW, he was on ambien.

posted 10-01-2007 07:37 PM            

Not to beat this horse too much, but how would you answer the question, "Did you rob that bank last week?"

posted 10-02-2007 05:27 PM            

I ended up turning the test down. Details were:

20 year old male married to 19 year old female with 16 year old sister of 19 year old spending the night and sleeping in a bed two feet away. He takes ambien and has had genuine episodes of amnesia prior to this event documented by others.

takes 3 ambien that night...gives one ambien to 16 year old who is having trouble sleeping. 16 year old doesn't remember anything either, except a vivid dream of the 20 year old 'touching her'. If it happened, all this occured while wife was asleep in the same bed.

So basically 16 year old has a dream but no one including herself knows whether anything really happened.

------------------
Ralph Hilliard
PolygraphPlace Owner & Operator

Be sure to visit our new store for all things Polygraph Related
http://store.polygraphplace.com

posted 10-02-2007 05:33 PM            

Thanks for the update.