Chapter 22 – The Search for Truth: Future Instrumentation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the future techniques that will play important role in eliciting truth from a suspect in forensic investigations. Today, the most accurate instrument used for truth verification is the polygraph. However, future truth verification technology will focus on the brain. Three areas of exploration into the brain are of importance to this area of research: brain waves or brain fingerprinting, blood flow changes observable through ultraviolet rays, and brain activation seen through fMRI. The fMRI may be developed as a stand-alone process, or combined with the polygraph to increase its overall accuracy. Further investigation is needed to determine if the fMRI may reduce the inconclusive results that occasionally occur in a traditional polygraph situation, and whether it can effectively assist in determinations where suspects have been trained to employ mental countermeasures in an attempt to escape detection in the traditional polygraph setting. Another new attempt at lie detection uses high definition thermal imaging cameras that can detect thermal pattern changes. Thermal imaging cameras enable rapid analysis of changes in blood flow around the eyes and are used to image a suspect's face while he is being questioned. Law enforcement agencies may also use voice stress as a technique for truth verification in near future.