Consider the following statements:

Sodium pentothal is used in a narcoanalysis test.

The evidence gathered during narcoanalysis is inadmissible in a court of law.

In Selvi case, 2010, Supreme Court has held that the results of narcoanalysis cannot be considered to be a confession.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

In a ‘narco’ or narcoanalysis test, a drug called sodium pentothal (a sedative) is injected into the body of the accused, which induces subconsciousness so that the subject is mentally incapable of inventing falsehood and so will tell the truth when asked a question.
However, the evidence gathered using this test is inadmissible in a court of law. Its result cannot be considered to be a “confession” (SC in Selvi case, 2010). Also, its result is not 100% accurate.
Other similar tests: Polygraph Test (detects lie by the fluctuation in the physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration etc.); P-300 test (Brain Mapping test).

GKToday Admin · Accepted Answer

1, 2 & 3

In a ‘narco’ or narcoanalysis test, a drug called sodium pentothal (a sedative) is injected into the body of the accused, which induces subconsciousness so that the subject is mentally incapable of inventing falsehood and so will tell the truth when asked a question.
However, the evidence gathered using this test is inadmissible in a court of law. Its result cannot be considered to be a “confession” (SC in Selvi case, 2010). Also, its result is not 100% accurate.
Other similar tests: Polygraph Test (detects lie by the fluctuation in the physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration etc.); P-300 test (Brain Mapping test).

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