T is for . . .

Image Source: Psychometry by Various Brennemans

Touch. In particular, psychometry or the psychic ability in which a person can sense or "read" the history of an object by touching it. (Source)

While psychometry is considered a pseudo-science, people who claim to have this ability have aided in police investigations. According to this web article by Stephen Wagner, What You Need To Know About . . . Psychometry, Gerard Croiset gained a reputation as a psychic detective in the 1930s and 40s. Here's one story:

He was even asked to help in the search for a missing four-year-old girl from Brooklyn, New York. Without leaving Holland, Croiset was given a photo of the girl, a map of New York City and a piece of her clothing. He correctly described that she was dead, the location of her body and the man who murdered her. His information led police to the girl's body and to the murderer, who was convicted of the crime.

Cool! The short story, Ground Zero, by Michael Abayomi features a character who can see the past of the dead or living with just a touch. This story will be released on May 3 as part of the anthology Parallels: Felix Was Here.

Image Source: The 1979 edition as sold on Amazon

It also reminds me of one of my favorite Stephen King books, The Dead Zone, in which Johnny Smith awakens from a coma with a life-saving twist of psychometry. I also loved the movie, but did not watch the TV show. How about you?