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| {{for|the television program|Psychic Detectives}} | {{for|the television program|Psychic Detectives}} | ||
| A '''psychic detective''' ('''PD''') is a person who |
A '''psychic detective''' ('''PD''') is defined as a person who investigates crimes by using ] abilities.{{fact}} | ||
| == |
==Diane Lazarus== | ||
| ⚫ | A number of people claim to have psychic abilities that allowed them to assist police in solving kidnapping and murder cases, or locating a corpse. No psychic detective has ever been praised or given official recognition by the ] or US national news for solving a crime, preventing a crime, or finding a kidnap victim or corpse. (Lyons and Truzzi, 1992 & Nickell, 1994) | ||
| ⚫ | There is a long history of psychic detectives in ] and ], and in other ]s as well. Examples include ] (created by ]), ] (created by ] and ]) and Agent Jasi McLellan created by ]. The USA Network show '']'' is based on a ] man (]) pretending to be a ] to avoid being arrested. | ||
| However in the United Kingdom, on the documentary-style television program Psychic Investigators, the investigating detective in the case of the murder of Mark Green gave credit to the psychic Diane Lazarus for being the critical source that led to a conviction. Diane Lazarus, from Wales, indicated in a reading that she obtained information regarding Mark Green, who was a missing person at the time. While the police did not suspect foul play at that point, Lazarus indicated that Mark Green had been murdered. She showed the detective where Mark Green walked from when he was last seen, and she walked to within 50 meters of the murderer's apartment. Her information regarding the direction Mark walked in on the night he died was corroborated by CCTV footage, which was not released to the public.{{fact}} | |||
| ⚫ | ==In |
||
| ⚫ | A number of people claim to have psychic abilities that allowed them to assist police in solving kidnapping and murder cases, or locating a corpse. No psychic detective has ever been praised or given official recognition by the ] or US national news for solving a crime, preventing a crime, or finding a kidnap victim or corpse. (Lyons and Truzzi, 1992 & Nickell, 1994) |
||
| Lazarus also indicated that a television appearance by the detective would lead to the case being solved. Following an appearance on the talk show "Kilroy", the murderer's brother turned himself in as being an accomplice, confessing that his brother had killed Mark Green and that he had helped him bury the body. Mark Green's body was found in his garden under a water feature, which was predicted by Lazarus. Diane Lazarus also indicated that Mark had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head. This was confirmed by forensic pathologists when his body was dug up. Following a trial in which the psychic's claims were thoroughly tested, Mark's murderer was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.{{fact}} | |||
| ⚫ | In the UK, where psychics are not paid by law enforcement, they do not have anything to gain materially by providing false information. Indeed, they have much to lose as it is a crime to provide false information to law enforcement, or to waste police time.{{fact}} | ||
| Lazarus also indicated that a television appearance by the detective would lead to the case being solved. Following an appearance on the talk show "Kilroy", the murderer's brother turned himself in as being an accomplice, confessing that his brother had killed Mark Green and that he had helped him bury the body. Mark Green's body was found in his garden under a water feature, which was predicted by Lazarus. Diane Lazarus also indicated that Mark had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head. This was confirmed by forensic pathologists when his body was dug up. Following a trial in which the psychic's claims were thoroughly tested, Mark's murderer was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. | |||
| ⚫ | In most cases, little evidence is provided to back up these psychics' claims, and many ] agencies say that they regard psychics as a waste of time and a hindrance to police work (see below). {fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | In the UK, where psychics are not paid by law enforcement, they do not have anything to gain materially by providing false information. Indeed, they have much to lose as it is a crime to provide false information to law enforcement, or to waste police time. | ||
| ⚫ | ==In fiction== | ||
| ⚫ | In most cases, little evidence is provided to back up these psychics' claims, and many ] agencies say that they regard psychics as a waste of time and a hindrance to police work (see below). |
||
| ⚫ | There is a long history of psychic detectives in ] and ], and in other ]s as well. Examples include ] (created by ]), ] (created by ] and ]) and Agent Jasi McLellan created by ]. The USA Network show '']'' is based on a ] man (]) pretending to be a ] to avoid being arrested. | ||
| ⚫ | ==Official police responses== | ||
| ⚫ | In a study of psychic detectives, ] and ] found ample reason to doubt the claims of psychic abilities solving crime: " ... some PDs' 'visions' are bound to be 'correct' often enough for the credulous to be duped. What seems like an accurate perception is due to its vagueness, commonness, and the latitude available as to what will count as a psychic hit. E.g., 'I see water near the body;' 'I see trees.' Some PDs are very skillful in their use of vagueness and ambiguity, and provide 'the verbal equivalent of a ]'". | ||
| ⚫ | ==== Australia ==== | ||
| ⚫ | Australian police have said that they do not accept assistance from psychics. This was in response to an Australian TV show "Sensing Murder" in which self-professed psychics attempt to crack unsolved murders. | ||
| ⚫ | Additionally, an unnamed Australian federal police officer was suspended following his seeking the aid of a "clairvoyant" in regards to death threats made against Prime Minister John Howard. | ||
| ⚫ | Frequently alleged abilities of psychic detectives include ] (the supernatural perception of the past), ] (the paranormal divination of information based on reading the ']' of a place or object), and ]. Psychic detectives also use ] reading, ], ] and ]. In murder cases, psychic detectives will often claim to communicate with the spirits of the murder victims. | ||
| ⚫ | ==== Los Angeles ==== | ||
| ⚫ | ]s point out that if psychics ever did provide useful information leading to solving a crime, the police might consider them to have privileged knowledge, that would thereby make the psychics key suspects in those cases. | ||
| ⚫ | :"The ] has not, does not and will not use psychics in the investigation of crimes, period. If a psychic offers free information to us over the phone, we will listen to them politely, but we do not take them seriously. It is a waste of time." (Dan Cooke, PR) | ||
| ⚫ | :"It is important to note that no information that would have been investigatively useful, such as first and last names, license plate numbers, apartment house locations etc. was accurately produced by any of the subjects." (LAPD study){{fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | ==Con Artists== | ||
| ⚫ | The widespread belief in psychic powers opens a niche for a type of Confidence Game where the "con artist" pretends to be psychic and preys on the victim of an existing crime, who is already in a vulnerable mental state.,, | ||
| ⚫ | ==== United Kingdom ==== | ||
| ⚫ | ==Specific psychic detectives== | ||
| ⚫ | :"] never approaches psychics for information. There are no official police psychics in the ]. The Yard does not endorse psychics in any way. There is no recorded instance in the ] of any psychic solving a criminal case or providing evidence or information that led directly to its solution." (Inspector Edward Ellidon){{fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | ] has claimed to help solve crimes. Her claims so far have been vague enough that their truthfulness could not be confirmed or denied. | ||
| ⚫ | However, in the case of the Notting Hill Rapist, for instance, Scotland Yard publicly acknowledged that it had enlisted the help of Irish psychic, Zak Martin | ||
| ⚫ | In 1979, Brazilian medium ], a renowned spiritual leader in his country, is alleged to have transcribed a statement from a murder victim declaring the innocence of the man convicted of the crime. The letter was accepted as evidence and soon the victim allegedly "testified" through Chico who the actual murderer was—resulting in a man being set free.{{fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | On this occasion, a Scotland Yard spokesman told the London Standard they had "a completely open mind" on the subject, and went on to acknowledge that they were "providing Mr. Martin with some materials and the like which were used by the assailant", for him to "psychometrize". The spokesman concluded by saying that "there is no specific policy on the use of clairvoyants. We do not employ them or pay them and the only time we work with them is if we consider them to be of value"{{fact}} | ||
| ==Skeptical view== | |||
| ⚫ | Psychic Scott Russell-Hill appeared on Australian TV show "Sensing Murder", using ] calculations to try to solve a mysterious murder. | ||
| ⚫ | In a study of psychic detectives, ] and ] found ample reason to doubt the claims of psychic abilities solving crime: " ... some PDs' 'visions' are bound to be 'correct' often enough for the credulous to be duped. What seems like an accurate perception is due to its vagueness, commonness, and the latitude available as to what will count as a psychic hit. E.g., 'I see water near the body;' 'I see trees.' Some PDs are very skillful in their use of vagueness and ambiguity, and provide 'the verbal equivalent of a ]'". {{fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | ==Official police responses== | ||
| ⚫ | === Australia === | ||
| ⚫ | Australian police have said that they do not accept assistance from psychics. This was in response to an Australian TV show "Sensing Murder" in which self-professed psychics attempt to crack unsolved murders. | ||
| ⚫ | Frequently alleged abilities of psychic detectives include ] (the supernatural perception of the past), ] (the paranormal divination of information based on reading the ']' of a place or object), and ]. Psychic detectives also use ] reading, ], ] and ]. In murder cases, psychic detectives will often claim to communicate with the spirits of the murder victims.{{fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | Additionally, an unnamed Australian federal police officer was suspended following his seeking the aid of a "clairvoyant" in regards to death threats made against Prime Minister John Howard. | ||
| ⚫ | ]s point out that if psychics ever did provide useful information leading to solving a crime, the police might consider them to have privileged knowledge, that would thereby make the psychics key suspects in those cases.{{fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | === Los Angeles === | ||
| ⚫ | :"The ] has not, does not and will not use psychics in the investigation of crimes, period. If a psychic offers free information to us over the phone, we will listen to them politely, but we do not take them seriously. It is a waste of time." (Dan Cooke, PR) | ||
| ⚫ | ====Con Artists==== | ||
| ⚫ | :"It is important to note that no information that would have been investigatively useful, such as first and last names, license plate numbers, apartment house locations etc. was accurately produced by any of the subjects." (LAPD study) | ||
| ⚫ | The widespread belief in psychic powers opens a niche for a type of Confidence Game where the "con artist" pretends to be psychic and preys on the victim of an existing crime, who is already in a vulnerable mental state.,, | ||
| ⚫ | ====Specific psychic detectives==== | ||
| ⚫ | === United Kingdom === | ||
| ⚫ | ] has claimed to help solve crimes. Her claims so far have been vague enough that their truthfulness could not be confirmed or denied. | ||
| ⚫ | :"] never approaches psychics for information. There are no official police psychics in the ]. The Yard does not endorse psychics in any way. There is no recorded instance in the ] of any psychic solving a criminal case or providing evidence or information that led directly to its solution." (Inspector Edward Ellidon) | ||
| ⚫ | In 1979, Brazilian medium ], a renowned spiritual leader in his country, is alleged to have transcribed a statement from a murder victim declaring the innocence of the man convicted of the crime. The letter was accepted as evidence and soon the victim allegedly "testified" through Chico who the actual murderer was—resulting in a man being set free.{{fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | However, in the case of the Notting Hill Rapist, for instance, Scotland Yard publicly acknowledged that it had enlisted the help of Irish psychic, Zak Martin | ||
| ⚫ | On this occasion, a Scotland Yard spokesman told the London Standard they had "a completely open mind" on the subject, and went on to acknowledge that they were "providing Mr. Martin with some materials and the like which were used by the assailant", for him to "psychometrize". The spokesman concluded by saying that "there is no specific policy on the use of clairvoyants. We do not employ them or pay them and the only time we work with them is if we consider them to be of value" | ||
| ⚫ | Psychic Scott Russell-Hill appeared on Australian TV show "Sensing Murder", using ] calculations to try to solve a mysterious murder. | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| ==External links |
==External links== | ||
| *''The Blue Sense: Psychic Detectives and Crime'' by Arthur Lyons and ], Ph. D., Mysterious Press, 1991. | *''The Blue Sense: Psychic Detectives and Crime'' by Arthur Lyons and ], Ph. D., Mysterious Press, 1991. | ||
| *''Psychic Sleuths: ESP and Sensational Cases'' by Joe Nickell, Prometheus Press, 1994 | *''Psychic Sleuths: ESP and Sensational Cases'' by Joe Nickell, Prometheus Press, 1994 | ||
| Line 70: | Line 76: | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| ==References== | |||
| <references/> | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 06:02, 29 January 2007
This article is about psychics. For the 1994 video game, see Psychic Detective (video game). For the television program, see Psychic Detectives.A psychic detective (PD) is defined as a person who investigates crimes by using paranormal abilities.
Diane Lazarus
A number of people claim to have psychic abilities that allowed them to assist police in solving kidnapping and murder cases, or locating a corpse. No psychic detective has ever been praised or given official recognition by the F.B.I. or US national news for solving a crime, preventing a crime, or finding a kidnap victim or corpse. (Lyons and Truzzi, 1992 & Nickell, 1994)
However in the United Kingdom, on the documentary-style television program Psychic Investigators, the investigating detective in the case of the murder of Mark Green gave credit to the psychic Diane Lazarus for being the critical source that led to a conviction. Diane Lazarus, from Wales, indicated in a reading that she obtained information regarding Mark Green, who was a missing person at the time. While the police did not suspect foul play at that point, Lazarus indicated that Mark Green had been murdered. She showed the detective where Mark Green walked from when he was last seen, and she walked to within 50 meters of the murderer's apartment. Her information regarding the direction Mark walked in on the night he died was corroborated by CCTV footage, which was not released to the public.
Lazarus also indicated that a television appearance by the detective would lead to the case being solved. Following an appearance on the talk show "Kilroy", the murderer's brother turned himself in as being an accomplice, confessing that his brother had killed Mark Green and that he had helped him bury the body. Mark Green's body was found in his garden under a water feature, which was predicted by Lazarus. Diane Lazarus also indicated that Mark had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head. This was confirmed by forensic pathologists when his body was dug up. Following a trial in which the psychic's claims were thoroughly tested, Mark's murderer was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
In the UK, where psychics are not paid by law enforcement, they do not have anything to gain materially by providing false information. Indeed, they have much to lose as it is a crime to provide false information to law enforcement, or to waste police time.
In most cases, little evidence is provided to back up these psychics' claims, and many law enforcement agencies say that they regard psychics as a waste of time and a hindrance to police work (see below). {fact}}
In fiction
There is a long history of psychic detectives in horror and crime fiction, and in other genres as well. Examples include Jules de Grandin (created by Seabury Quinn), Dr. Occult (created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster) and Agent Jasi McLellan created by Cheryl Kaye Tardif. The USA Network show Psych is based on a Santa Barbara man (Shawn Spencer) pretending to be a psychic to avoid being arrested.
Official police responses
Australia
Australian police have said that they do not accept assistance from psychics. This was in response to an Australian TV show "Sensing Murder" in which self-professed psychics attempt to crack unsolved murders.
Additionally, an unnamed Australian federal police officer was suspended following his seeking the aid of a "clairvoyant" in regards to death threats made against Prime Minister John Howard.
Los Angeles
- "The LAPD has not, does not and will not use psychics in the investigation of crimes, period. If a psychic offers free information to us over the phone, we will listen to them politely, but we do not take them seriously. It is a waste of time." (Dan Cooke, PR)
- "It is important to note that no information that would have been investigatively useful, such as first and last names, license plate numbers, apartment house locations etc. was accurately produced by any of the subjects." (LAPD study)
United Kingdom
- "Scotland Yard never approaches psychics for information. There are no official police psychics in the UK. The Yard does not endorse psychics in any way. There is no recorded instance in the UK of any psychic solving a criminal case or providing evidence or information that led directly to its solution." (Inspector Edward Ellidon)
However, in the case of the Notting Hill Rapist, for instance, Scotland Yard publicly acknowledged that it had enlisted the help of Irish psychic, Zak Martin On this occasion, a Scotland Yard spokesman told the London Standard they had "a completely open mind" on the subject, and went on to acknowledge that they were "providing Mr. Martin with some materials and the like which were used by the assailant", for him to "psychometrize". The spokesman concluded by saying that "there is no specific policy on the use of clairvoyants. We do not employ them or pay them and the only time we work with them is if we consider them to be of value"
Skeptical view
In a study of psychic detectives, Piet Hein Hoebens and Marcello Truzzi found ample reason to doubt the claims of psychic abilities solving crime: " ... some PDs' 'visions' are bound to be 'correct' often enough for the credulous to be duped. What seems like an accurate perception is due to its vagueness, commonness, and the latitude available as to what will count as a psychic hit. E.g., 'I see water near the body;' 'I see trees.' Some PDs are very skillful in their use of vagueness and ambiguity, and provide 'the verbal equivalent of a Rorschach test'".
Frequently alleged abilities of psychic detectives include postcognition (the supernatural perception of the past), psychometry (the paranormal divination of information based on reading the 'aura' of a place or object), and telepathy. Psychic detectives also use tarot reading, voodoo, numerology and dowsing. In murder cases, psychic detectives will often claim to communicate with the spirits of the murder victims.
Skeptics point out that if psychics ever did provide useful information leading to solving a crime, the police might consider them to have privileged knowledge, that would thereby make the psychics key suspects in those cases.
Con Artists
The widespread belief in psychic powers opens a niche for a type of Confidence Game where the "con artist" pretends to be psychic and preys on the victim of an existing crime, who is already in a vulnerable mental state.,,
Specific psychic detectives
Sylvia Browne has claimed to help solve crimes. Her claims so far have been vague enough that their truthfulness could not be confirmed or denied.
In 1979, Brazilian medium Chico Xavier, a renowned spiritual leader in his country, is alleged to have transcribed a statement from a murder victim declaring the innocence of the man convicted of the crime. The letter was accepted as evidence and soon the victim allegedly "testified" through Chico who the actual murderer was—resulting in a man being set free.
Psychic Scott Russell-Hill appeared on Australian TV show "Sensing Murder", using numerology calculations to try to solve a mysterious murder.
See also
- Parapsychology
- Psychic
- Ganzfeld experiment
- Scientific investigation of telepathy
- pseudoscience
- psychic phenomena
- supernatural
External links
- The Blue Sense: Psychic Detectives and Crime by Arthur Lyons and Marcello Truzzi, Ph. D., Mysterious Press, 1991.
- Psychic Sleuths: ESP and Sensational Cases by Joe Nickell, Prometheus Press, 1994
- Jeffry R. Palmer "The Psychic Detective"
- Court TV series "Psychic Detectives"
- Psychic Witness on TLC
- Skeptic's Dictionary on psychic detectives
- Fact Sheet on Psychic Detectives
- The Skeptical Inquirer on psychic detectives
- "Missing Children - Hazards: Psychics" - Klaas Kids Foundation
- Richard Kocsis: "Criminal Psychological Profilers, Police Officers and Psychics: who are the best detectives?" (2000)
- UK-Skeptics' list of replies from UK police authorities concerning the use of psychics.
- Project Jason-Voice for the Missing "Working to stop psychic frauds from harming families of the missing"
- Phil Jordan a fraud