fMRI

Alternatives to the Polygraph?

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Science journalist Sarah Scoles reports for the digital magazine Undark on the shortcomings of polygraphy and explores proposed alternative methods of lie detection based on eye movement, electroencepholography (EEG), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). AntiPolygraph.org co-founder George Maschke is among those interviewed for this article.

Admission of fMRI Lie Detector “Evidence” Sought

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Alexis Madrigal writes for Wired.com about what is reportedly the first attempt to have fMRI lie detector results admitted in court: Defense attorneys are for the first time submitting a controversial next-generation lie-detection test as evidence in criminal court. In an upcoming juvenile-sex-abuse case in San Diego, the defense is hoping to get an fMRI … Read more

Sam Harris on True Lie Detection

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Neuroscientist Sam Harris answers the Edge Foundation’s annual question for 2009, “What game-changing scientific ideas and developments do you expect to live to see?” with a commentary titled “True Lie Detection.” Excerpt: When evaluating the social cost of deception, one must consider all of the misdeeds — marital infidelities, Ponzi schemes, premeditated murders, terrorist atrocities, … Read more

Bioethicist Jonathan Marks Raises Concerns About fMRI-based “Lie Detectors” and Coercive Interrogations

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Penn State Live reports on concerns raised by Dr. Jonathan Marks about the premature adoption of fMRI-based lie detectors:

High tech interrogations may promote abuse
Monday, March 17, 2008

University Park, Pa. – There is evidence that brain imaging technology is being used to interrogate suspected terrorists despite concerns that it may not be reliable, and that it might inadvertently promote abuse of detainees, according to a Penn State researcher. He says the risk that such technology could license further abuse of detainees remains ever present, given President Bush’s March 8 veto of legislation that would have prohibited the CIA from conducting aggressive interrogations.

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Robert Bazell Sheds Light on Lie Detectors

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MSNBC chief science and health correspondent Dr. Robert Bazell comments on the U.S. Government’s persistent but misplaced reliance on polygraphy in his “Second Opinion” column: Shedding light on lies — and lie detectors Polygraphs persist despite failing science’s truth test By Robert Bazell Chief science and health correspondent updated 9:08 a.m. ET Dec. 4, 2007 … Read more

Bill Softky Asks, “Will There Ever Be a Real ‘Lie Detector?'”

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Software engineer Bill Softky ponders the question in on-line British technology publication, The Register in his article, “Will There Ever Be a Real ‘Lie Detector?’” Softky begins by dispensing with the delusion that the polygraph can detect lies: Lie detectors figure prominently in the sauciest dramas, like espionage and murder, but they deeply polarize opinion. … Read more

Ronald Bailey on Reading Minds

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Science correspondent Ronald Bailey reports for Reason magazine on fMRI-based “lie detection” in “Reading Minds: Is Commercial Lie Detection Set to Go?” Excerpt: Evolutionary psychologists suggest that human cooperation is the result of evolved brain mechanisms that enabled our ancestors to detect cheaters. Broadly speaking, cheaters are people who accept a benefit from someone on … Read more