WHAT IS A NARCO TEST ?

In a ‘narco’ or narcoanalysis test, a drug called sodium pentothal is injected into the body of the accused, which transports them to a hypnotic or sedated state, in which their imagination is neutralised.

In this hypnotic state, the accused is understood as being incapable of lying, and is expected to divulge information that is true.

Sodium pentothal is a fast-acting, short duration anaesthetic, which is used in larger doses to sedate patients during surgery.

As the drug is believed to weaken the subject’s resolve to lie, it is sometimes referred to as a “truth serum”, and is said to have been used by intelligence operatives during Second World War.