Using Brain MERMER Testing to Detect Knowledge Despite Efforts to Conceal

Lawrence A. Farwell

142 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Forensic Sciences

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Deception detection and forensic psychology EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces Memory Processes and Influences

Abstract

This experiment examined the accuracy and reliability of the memory and encoding related multifaceted electroencephalographic response (MERMER) technique for detecting information related to events subjects have experienced, despite subjects' efforts to conceal that knowledge. Information obtained through interviews was used to develop stimulus sets consisting of words and phrases presented to subjects visually by computer. Sets were composed of three types of stimuli: life experience-related (Probes), stimuli the subject was asked to memorize and respond to (Targets), and irrelevant information (Irrelevants). Each set of stimuli was tested on two individuals: (1) one individual who had participated in the event in question--and thus had the relevant information stored in his/her brain, and (2) one who had not. Six subjects were tested. Electrical brain responses to the stimuli were recorded non-invasively from the scalp and analyzed. MERMERs, (memory and encoding related multifaceted electroencephalographic responses), of which the P300 is a sub-component, were used to determine whether the subject had the relevant information stored in his brain (information present) or not (information absent), thus indicating whether or not each subject had participated in the real-life event in question. Bootstrapping was used to analyze and compare the responses to the three types of stimuli. As predicted, MERMERs were elicited by Probe stimuli only in the subjects who had participated in the investigated event, by Target stimuli in all subjects, and in no case by Irrelevant stimuli. For each of the six subjects, brain MERMER testing correctly determined whether the subject had participated in and consequently knew about the event in question (information present) or had not participated (information absent). The statistical confidence for this determination was 99.9% in five cases and 90.0% in one case. The article concludes with a discussion of areas of future research and the potential for using this new technology as an investigative tool in criminal cases.

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References

1991The Truth Will Out: Interrogative Polygraphy (“Lie Detection”) With Event‐Related Brain Potentials 1988A Modified, Event-Related Potential-Based Guilty Knowledge Test

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2007The role of psychophysiology in forensic assessments: Deception detection, ERPs, and virtual reality mock crime scenarios 2009Task relevance and recognition of concealed information have different influences on electrodermal activity and event-related brain potentials 2005Neural correlates of feigned memory impairment 2012Brain fingerprinting: a comprehensive tutorial review of detection of concealed information with event-related brain potentials 2013Review of recent studies and issues regarding the P300-based complex trial protocol for detection of concealed information 2008Detection of deception using fMRI: Better than chance, but well below perfection 2010A mock terrorism application of the P300‐based concealed information test 2014Detecting Deception Through Reaction Times

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