Brain Fingerprinting

Presented by Kalwani Manish

Defining Brain Fingerprinting

Brain Fingerprinting is a controversial forensic science technique that uses electroencephalography (EEG) to determine whether specific information is stored in a subject's brain.

It does this by measuring electrical brainwave response.

The Brain Fingerprinting is an advanced computer-based technology.

The brain-wave responses are scientifically measured by crime-relevant words or pictures presented on a computer screen.

History Of Brain Fingerprinting

Brain fingerprinting was invented by Lawrence Farwell.

It was patented in 1995 by Dr. Farwell

The details of a crime in the brain, is revealed by EEG.

Farwell discovered the P300-MERMER.

India has become the second country after United States to introduce 'brain finger printing'.

Technique

The person to be tested wears a special headband.

The brain fingerprinting system compares the responses to the different types of stimuli.

It uses cognitive brain responses.

It does not depend on the emotions of the subject, nor is it affected by emotional responses.

How Brain Fingerprinting works?

Phases

1. Crime Scene Collection.

2. Brain Incidence Collection.

3. Computer Analysis.

4. Result.

Brain Signal Types

1. Beta wave.

2. Alpha wave.

3. Theta wave.

4. Delta wave.

Current Uses and Research

Brain Fingerprinting has two primary applications: 1) detecting the record of a specific crime or terrorist act and 2) detecting a specific type of knowledge, expertise, or training.

A group of 17 FBI agents and 4 non-agents were exposed to stimuli.

Dr. Farwell collaborated with FBI scientist Sharon Smith.

The CIA has also funded Farwell's research.

Use In Criminal Investigation

Dr. Farwell conducts a test on Terry Harrington.

Dr. Farwell conducts a test on JB Grinder.

Output

Information Absent Information Present

Devices Required

Personal Computer

A data acquisition board

A graphics card for driving two monitors from one PC

A four channel EEG amplifier system

Software developed by the brain fingerprinting

Applications

National Security

Medical Diagnosis

a. Alzheimer’s Disease

b. Pharmaceutical companies

Criminal Justice System

Advertising

Counter Terrorism

Limitations

Brain fingerprinting detects information-processing brain responses.

Brain fingerprinting is not applicable where the authorities have no information about what crime may have taken place.

Brain fingerprinting is also not applicable wherein a suspect and an alleged victim agree on the details of what was said and done.

It detects only information, and not intent.