Brainwave Signature Profiling

Brain Signature Profiling (BSP) is a technique that has evolved over the past 10 years, it has a strong scientific basis, and has been extensively tested. It is also called Brain Electrical Oscillation Signature Profiling (BEOS).

In recent decades a lot of importance has been given to forensic tools that aid in criminal investigations, especially tests that can be used on suspects for determining the veracity or validity of their statements during interrogations. The Lie Detection test relies on the “response conflict” scenario, where the subject reacts physiologically while replying to questions asked.

Brain Signature Profiling relies on analyzing electrical responses from the subjects Brain to ascertain the truth. There are no questions presented to the subject during the test, rather the subject is walked through a narration of the possible crime scenario, and analysis is done to see if the Brain produces Experiential Knowledge – That is remembrance of the events narrated. There are no questions asked and no answers expected from the Subject.

The system that performs this huge task is the Neuro Signature System – NSS - and it represents a total deviation from the conventional method of asking questions. It is based on the scientific findings that remembrance of an experience triggers a neural activation of the brain different from that seen in knowing or recognition of mere familiarity. NSS extracts indicators such activation from the EEG of the subject being examined.

The test can be used to find the differential roles of suspects when two or more suspects have been involved or for detecting the involvement of a suspect, even when they refuse to cooperate with questioning/interrogation in cases of national interest. The findings of the test can help identify and differential suspects from criminals. In which case if further examination is carried out based on the findings, could help to recover material evidence or elicit confessions from them. To asses the technology the Government of India (TIFAC - Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council) conducted an independent normative study in the Government Forensic Science Laboratory in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on over 120 people and the results in the process of being published.

Some of the results have already been presented at various forensic conferences in India and the United Kingdom. The ROC Curve analysis has shown an average sensitivity and specificity close to 0.92 in a study where the test was used to predict the involvement of ‘experimental group’ in a set of specially designed test activities and compare it with that of a ‘control group’ who only had knowledge of the same test activities.