Digital Forensics — MCQs

Question 11: What is brain fingerprinting?

• A. Used as a lie detector.
• B. Used by EEG on lead. (Correct Answer)
• C. Used for quantitative measurement of sulci and gyri.
• D. Used by DNA.

Explanation: **Explanation:** **Brain Fingerprinting** (also known as Brain Electrical Activation Profile or BEAP) is a forensic technique used to determine if specific information is stored in a subject's brain. 1. **Why Option B is Correct:** The technique relies on **Electroencephalography (EEG)**. When a person recognizes a familiar stimulus (like a crime scene photo), the brain emits a specific electrical response known as the **P300 wave** (an event-related potential). This is recorded using EEG sensors (leads) placed on the scalp. It detects "guilty knowledge" rather than the physiological stress of lying. 2. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Option A:** While often confused with a lie detector (Polygraph), brain fingerprinting does not detect lies or stress; it detects the **presence or absence of information** (recognition). * **Option C:** Quantitative measurement of sulci and gyri refers to neuroanatomical morphometry (often via MRI), which is used in neurology/radiology, not forensic brain fingerprinting. * **Option D:** DNA profiling is a biological identification tool. Brain fingerprinting is a neuro-electrophysiological tool. **High-Yield Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Inventor:** Developed by **Dr. Lawrence Farwell**. * **The P300 Wave:** The hallmark of this test; it occurs 300 milliseconds after a significant stimulus is presented. * **Admissibility:** In India, the Supreme Court (Selvi vs. State of Karnataka, 2010) ruled that Narco-analysis, Polygraph, and Brain Mapping cannot be forcibly administered as it violates **Article 20(3)** of the Constitution (Right against self-incrimination). * **Stimuli Categories:** The test uses "Probes" (details only the culprit knows), "Targets" (details known to everyone), and "Irrelevant" stimuli.