veritaserum

[strawberryshaunie]

No: HPFGUIDX 138421

Angela wrote:

> But what about the Veritaserum?  Any 
> thoughts on this?  


"ushit_k" wrote: Veritaserum is used as a interrogative purpose. 
Dumbledore used it to
question fake Moody, Umbridge tried to use it to question Harry about
the whereabouts of Sirius. I think that the ministry of Magic uses it
in it's criminal investigations. It is more a part of the technique of
magic (rather like legilimens). Similliarly the other potions are also
part of the techniques of magic that the characters use for their
purposes."


    This made me think of something that's bothered me ever since we 
were first introduced to Veritaserum (forgive me if this was pointed 
out ages ago, I'm a little behind in my reading!). Why are there any 
innocent people in Azkaban at all, ever, when the Ministry has 
Veritaserum at its disposal? Surely it would be a vital part of 
determining a criminal's guilt...especially in a matter that involves 
a lifetime sentence? Sirius could have been cleared, ditto for 
Hagrid, the DEs that "repented" wouldn't have gotten away...what 
gives?