Can your brain testify against you?

A review published in Frontiers in Neuroscience explores the current literature and advancements in the applications of neuroscience in law. This brings into question the ethical implications that come with the possibility of a person unwillingly revealing their own guilt.

"Brain science is being viewed for its potential to be used in legal cases," explains Prof. James Giordano, who co-wrote the paper. "It can certainly afford information relevant to an individual's capability, but there have also been attempts to employ neuroscientific methods to gain insight -- and to inform juries and judges -- about persons' intent and possible guilt."

The authors examined previous cases where neuroscientific techniques have been used to determine truth and infer intent. The use of these techniques brings into question the violation of an individuals' right to privacy that can come with this, and whether neuroscientific techniques should be permitted in court.

"In the United States, current rules of federal evidence provide strict criteria, which constrain how brain science can be used," explains Prof. Giordano. "Yet, threats to individual rights persist when considering the use of neurological evidence. These threats include vague definitions of what constitutes the "private domain" of the mind, how this relates to the right to privacy, and a lack of guidelines for informed consent when using neuroscientific evidence."

By revealing the current contingencies in legal neuroscience, or neurolaw, Prof. Giordano from Georgetown University and Calvin Kraft from University of Notre Dame encourage discussion on the need for clear guidelines, which take into consideration both the potential and limitations of brain science in legal contexts.

"What may be required is a more explicit definition of what the law would require of the brain sciences -- and if and how the brain sciences can provide such tools and methods," suggests Prof. Giordano.

This review focused on how key aspects of the use of brain science relevant to the United States' Constitution's Bill of Rights. However, it can act as a starting point for investigating the relationships between brain science, ethics and law internationally.

"An ongoing question is whether current and proposed uses of brain science infringe on civil liberties, and what this might infer and evoke, both in the United States, and on the global stage," says Prof. Giordano.