What is Brain Fingerprinting.
                     What is Brain 
Fingerprinting?
INTRODUCTION
• Brain fingerprinting is a neuro-
psychological form of investigation, 
also known as Brain Electrical 
Oscillation Signature Profiling 
(BEOSP), in which the suspect's role 
in the crime is investigated by 
observing the reaction of the brain. 
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Brain Fingerprinting 
Process
• To research the electrical behaviour 
of the human brain, the BEOSP test 
uses electroencephalography (EEG). 
Source: inbrain.tech
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Electroencephalographic
• In a soundproof space with a hat 
having hundreds of electrodes 
attached to it the defendant is sitting 
in a cosy chair. 
• An electroencephalographic (EEG) 
machine binds the other ends of the 
electrodes.
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How it works?
• The defendant is then given videos or 
audio clips specific to the event to 
verify whether nerves (P300-
MERMER) are activated in the brain of 
the suspect, and then produce 
brainwaves. 
Source: inbrain.tech
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Where it can be used?
• To assess the involvement of the 
accused in a crime, the evaluation 
findings are then analysed.
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Efficacy of Brain 
Mapping
• The evaluation is based on two 
phenomena: experience and information.
• Knowledge: The brain of the suspect may 
have knowledge of the crime committed 
and the alibi that they have come up with.
• Experience: Guilt is measured by the 
suspect's experience of having engaged in 
the crime.
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The legitimacy of Brain 
Fingerprinting
• A valid neuro-psychological form of 
questioning is brain imaging. 
• It is to be remembered that it is not possible 
to accept the test results alone as proof. 
• However, as per a SC judgement in the 2010 
Selvi versus State of Karnataka case, any 
knowledge or substance found during the 
tests may be made part of the evidence.
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Brain Fingerprinting: 
Conviction of suspect
• On the BEOSP test alone the suspect 
cannot be tried. 
• Only relying on questioning and other 
conventional CBI procedural will 
happen for the conviction be carried 
out.
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When brain fingerprinting 
was first used?
• In 1999, James Grinder, a woodcutter, admitted 
to killing a woman named Julie Helton. 
• 15 years before Grinder's confession, Helton 
died. The man withdrew his comments soon 
afterwards, contradicting himself time and time 
again. 
• As the bits of evidence were decades old, the 
police were unable to devise a solid argument 
against Grinder. 
• Thus by analysing brain function, the sheriff 
called Dr. Lawrence Farwell, who found a new 
way to assess a suspect's guilt or innocence.
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The discovery of P300-
MERMER
• Farwell discovered that it is possible to 
consider the P300 to be part of a broader 
response called P300-MERMER, a multifaceted 
electroencephalographic response relevant to 
memory and encoding. 
• The P300-MERMER brain fingerprinting has 
resulted in no false positives, no false 
negatives, and no indeterminate ones. 
Source: inbrain.tech
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