Foreword to the Neuroscience, Law & Government Symposium

Abstract

This article introduces the various subjects and articles from the Neuroscience, Law and Government Symposium, published in the Akron Law Review (2009) following the Conference held at the University of Akron School of Law in September, 2009. The Conference and Symposium consider both the explosion in neuroscience research and its implications for both law and government, beginning with remarks by the keynote speaker, Professor Henry T. Greeley. A substantial portion of the symposium addresses the implications of scientists’ efforts to depict deception by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), including an article on the legal reliability of such evidence, the fourth and fifth amendment implications of such evidence, and the persuasiveness of such evidence with juries. The symposium also includes other varied topics, including the implications of neuroscience on the insanity defense, juvenile justice, predictions of disease or criminality, enhancing performance, and the role of neuroscience in legislation about women’s medical conditions

Keywords: neuroscience, evidence, fMRI, fourth amendment

JEL Classification: K1