[TML] TML Digest, Vol 2007, Issue 261

[Jerry W Barrington]

On 10/22/07 8:12 AM, Leonard Erickson wrote:

> The latter is one of the few inarguably *good* uses for a "perfect"
> lie detector. Question the suspect and if they say they are innocent
> (and the detector can show that they aren't a pathological liar) then
> you can let them go and throw out all that mistaken eyewitness
> testimony.

"But your honor, I know I didn't hit that man with my car..."

Problem is, people can mistakenly believe they are innocent, just like they
mistakenly believe a lot of things that are convenient for them.  Like
people who "know" that sweet Mr. Thompson down the street couldn't possibly
have done that to his children (name purely illustrative, no real Mr.
Thompson implied).

And thru hypnotherapy, etc, it's possible to change somebody's memories of
the event (for or against whomever).  If the perpetrator can get this
applied before the police catch him, he can "honestly" testify that he
didn't commit the crime.

Truth is a very slippery thing once the human brain is involved.  :)