Can fMRI detect lies?

Researchers have shown that a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ‘lie detector’ test, which measures brain activity, can be ‘deceived’ by people using mental countermeasures. The study suggests that more should be done to detect mental countermeasures before using fMRI tests for forensic applications.

Can a brain scan from fMRI tell me if someone is lying?

Tests reveals patches in the brain that light up during a lie. Lying activates tell-tale areas of the brain that can be tracked using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), according to scientists who believe the technique could replace traditional lie detectors.

Is fMRI more accurate than polygraph?

Neuroimaging studies have also shown that fMRI is fairly accurate in detecting deception in individuals. However, experts agree that use of fMRI in real-life police or forensic work remains impractical without extensive testing and validation.

What can fMRI detect?

It may be used to examine the brain’s functional anatomy, (determine which parts of the brain are handling critical functions), evaluate the effects of stroke or other disease, or to guide brain treatment. fMRI may detect abnormalities within the brain that cannot be found with other imaging techniques.

Are there companies that can detect lies with fMRI?

In 2006, a company called No Lie MRI began advertising their ability to detect “deception and other information stored in the brain” using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). They were not the first to make this claim. Two years prior, a company called Cephos had been founded on the same principle.

How is fMRI being used to detect deception?

Relying on recently published research, two start-up companies have proposed to use a sophisticated brain-imaging technique, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to detect deception. The new approach promises significantly greater accuracy than the conventional polygraph—at least under carefully controlled laboratory conditions.

How is lie detection used in functional MRI?

Functional MRI lie detection is based on the identification of patterns of cerebral blood flow that statistically correlate with the act of lying in a controlled experimental situation. The technique does not read minds and determine whether a person’s memory in fact contains something other than what he or she says it does.

How are brain regions activated in lie detection?

Thus, it is unclear if the brain regions identified in fMRI studies of lie detection are only likely to be activated during the more dispassionate type of deception that occurs under laboratory conditions.