fMRI and Lie Detection
MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law and Neuroscience, 2016
5 Pages Posted: 23 Dec 2016 Last revised: 9 Jun 2020
Anthony D. Wagner
Stanford University - Department of Psychology
Richard J. Bonnie
University of Virginia School of Law
BJ Casey
Yale University - Department of Psychology
Andre Davis
US Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit
David L. Faigman
UC Hastings Law
Morris B. Hoffman
Second Judicial District Court Judge, State of Colorado
Owen D. Jones
Vanderbilt University - Law School & Dept. of Biological Sciences
Read Montague
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University - Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
Stephen Morse
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Marcus E. Raichle
Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Neurology; Washington University in St. Louis - Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology; Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Biomedical Engineering; Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Neuroscience
Jennifer Richeson
Yale University - Department of Psychology
Elizabeth S. Scott
Columbia University - Law School
Laurence Steinberg
Temple University - Department of Psychology
Kim A. Taylor-Thompson
New York University School of Law
Gideon Yaffe
Yale Law School
Date Written: 2016
Abstract
Some studies have reported the ability to detect lies, with a high degree of accuracy, by analyzing brain data acquired using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). But is this new technology ready for its day in court?
This consensus knowledge brief from the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Law and Neuroscience takes a closer look at the potential and pitfalls of fMRI lie detection techniques, providing insight into the areas of the brain involved in lying, the impact of memory on deception, how countermeasures may foil our efforts to detect lies, and factors that can create cause for concern about experimental validity.
Keywords: lie detection, polygraph, memory, deception, evidence, neuroscience, law and neuroscience, neurolaw, brain, brain imaging, brain scan, neuroimaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, fMRI, behavioral biology, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology
JEL Classification: K14, K40, K42
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Anthony D. Wagner
Stanford University - Department of Psychology ( email )
Stanford, CA 94305
United States
(650) 723-4048 (Phone)
(650) 725-5699 (Fax)
Richard J. Bonnie

University of Virginia School of Law ( email )
580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States
BJ Casey
Yale University - Department of Psychology ( email )
P.O. Box 208205
New Haven, CT 06520-8205
United States
HOME PAGE: http://psychology.yale.edu/people/bj-casey
Andre Davis
US Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit ( email )
United States
Morris B. Hoffman
Second Judicial District Court Judge, State of Colorado ( email )
Denver, CO
United States
Owen D. Jones (Contact Author)

Vanderbilt University - Law School & Dept. of Biological Sciences ( email )
131 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203-1181
United States
HOME PAGE: http://law.vanderbilt.edu/bio/owen-jones
Read Montague
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University - Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute ( email )
2 Riverside Circle
Roanoke, VA 24016
United States
540-526-2000 (Phone)
HOME PAGE: http://research.vtc.vt.edu/employees/read-montague/
Stephen J. Morse

University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School ( email )
3501 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States
Marcus E. Raichle
Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Neurology ( email )
St. Louis, MO
United States
Washington University in St. Louis - Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology ( email )
St. Louis, MO
United States
Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Biomedical Engineering ( email )
One Brookings Drive
Campus Box 1208
Saint Louis, MO 63130-4899
United States
Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Neuroscience ( email )
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
United States
Jennifer Richeson
Yale University - Department of Psychology ( email )
P.O. Box 208205
New Haven, CT 06520-8205
United States
HOME PAGE: http://psychology.yale.edu/people/jennifer-richeson
Elizabeth S. Scott

Columbia University - Law School ( email )
435 West 116th Street
New York, NY 10025
United States
(212) 854-9758 (Phone)
(212) 854-7946 (Fax)
Laurence Steinberg
Temple University - Department of Psychology ( email )
Weiss Hall
1701 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States
Kim A. Taylor-Thompson

New York University School of Law ( email )
245 Sullivan Street, 627
New York, NY 10012-1099
United States
(212) 998-6396 (Phone)
(212) 995-4031 (Fax)
HOME PAGE: https://its.law.nyu.edu/facultyprofiles/profile.cfm?personID=20328
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