“TRUTH CHAMBER” DESIGNED TO WRING CONFESSIONS FROM CRIMINALS (Oct, 1934)
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Oct, 1934
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“TRUTH CHAMBER” DESIGNED TO WRING CONFESSIONS FROM CRIMINALS
A “truth chamber” recently devised by a New York criminologist is expected to wring confession of crime from a prisoner by compelling him to study his own features as he replies to a steady barrage of questions. It is a square cubicle with four mirrored walls. A battery of variously colored lights, suspended above the prisoner, plays upon him as he sits in the middle of the chamber. In the mirrors of the “truth chamber” he is able to note any suggestion of uneasiness in his manner or expression, and by changing the light from white to green or blue, detectives make him look worn and haggard. Convinced at last that his face and movements have already convicted him, the prisoner, the inventor believes, will confess.
If it doesn’t work there’s always tort… er, um, waterboarding.
Comment by Stannous — May 10, 2007 @ 10:58 am
It also seems like this system could be defeated with extreme egotism. Just spend the whole time fixing your hair and making faces. Also the “hall of mirrors” effect would be pretty cool.
Comment by Charlie — May 10, 2007 @ 11:08 am
THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS
Comment by fluffy — May 10, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
My first thought was that it made my blood run cold- but, I’ve read too many WW2 novels. My second thought was, I wonder what that would do to someone who had taken LSD. I bet it would drive them right into another trip. All in all this is definitely some twisted evil stuff.
Comment by Caya — May 10, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Ad waterbed to recreate 70s bachelor pad studio apt. in NYC.
Comment by NikFromNYC — January 14, 2008 @ 7:38 pm