The paranormal : an alternative form of criminal investigation

Abstract

This research was conducted in an attempt to validate the use of psychics as an alternative form of criminal investigation. Police investigations have been traditionally been limited to standard practices and accepted techniques. If this process fails to procure resolution, the case may grow "cold" and become statistically unsolved. PSI, or the use of a member of the paranormal community, may offer new leads and suggest avenues that possibly have not been pursued. These techniques can be used as a tool to enhance the original investigation of the police agency. The utilization of the psychic is to be done in conjunction with the existing investigative team, not as a sole effort by the psychic to resolve the crime alone on their individual abilities. This lack of cooperation is a misrepresentation of the media and the public. The psychic and his/hers abilities are tools that assist the police investigation team in crime resolution. This study was designed to attempt to validate the use of psychics through positive feedback from existing policing agencies who have utilized their paranormal abilities. Discussions from authors that have completed studies in attempts to prove the positive use of the PSI community as agents of the criminal justice arena were reviewed. The research questions of the study were; 1) What factors would influence an agency in deciding whether or not to use psychics in criminal investigations? 2) What are police officers perceptions of psychics? The factors, which would influence an agency in deciding on whether or not to use a psychic in a criminal investigation, centered on several variables. Of the 40 investigators surveyed 92.5 percent stated that they would use a psychic if another policing agency recommended one and 37.5 percent of the agencies interviewed, stated that psychics in fact, had credibility in criminal investigations. Of the 40 investigators surveyed, 85 percent stated that the media would not influence their department's decision to use or not use a psychic, indicating that they were comfortable with any decision they or their department made regarding paranormal use. The investigator perceptions of psychics were centered on believing in the credibility of the criminal use. Statistically, of the 40 departments surveyed, 37.5 percent felt psychics did have credibility in police investigations, 22.5 percent indicated they did not. However, 40 percent had no opinion indicating that the investigators may still be open to paranormal input in an investigation. It can also be stated, that of the 40 investigators surveyed, 47.5 percent stated that they may use a psychic in the future and 92.5 percent stated that they would use a psychic in another police department recommended one to their agency. An attempt will be made to answer these questions, as well as to address the mindset of individuals involved in determining the utilization of the paranormal in the criminal justice process.