Brain Fingerprinting: Detection of Concealed Information

Abstract

Abstract Brain fingerprinting is a technique to detect concealed information stored in the brain by measuring brainwave responses noninvasively. An electroencephalographic event‐related potential brain response known as a P300‐MERMER is elicited by stimuli that are significant in the present context. Brain fingerprinting detects a P300‐MERMER response to words or pictures relevant to a crime scene, terrorist training, bomb‐making knowledge, inside knowledge of a terrorist cell or intelligence agency, and so on. It detects information stored in the brain by measuring cognitive information processing. The brain fingerprinting method computes a determination of “information present” or “information absent” and a statistical confidence for the individual determination. Brain fingerprinting is not lie detection. It does not detect lies, stress, or emotion. In the tests conducted so far, including laboratory and field tests at the FBI, CIA, US Navy, and elsewhere, there has been a 0% error rate: no false positives and no false negatives. About 3% of results have been “indeterminate”. Brain fingerprinting has been applied in criminal cases and ruled admissible in trial court. Scientific standards for brain fingerprinting tests are discussed. Meeting the brain fingerprinting scientific standards developed from the tests so far is necessary for accuracy and validity. Brain fingerprinting is highly resistant to countermeasures. Principles of applying brain fingerprinting in the laboratory and the field are discussed.