Reading others' minds by measuring their brains: fascinating and challenging for science, but ready for use in court?

摘要

As senior researchers in psychology and experts in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI: LM) and MagnetoVEnceph-alography (MEG/EEG: KK), respectively, we ask the question from a scientific point of view whether the existing methods and findings in brain imaging (fMRI, EEG/MEG) could contribute to decisions in court at this point in time. Firstly, we point out the relative nature of scientific findings and the present lack of an informed dissemination of results into society. Secondly, we summarise what seems to be scientifically possible at the moment and what challenges future research must address before neuroimaging could be used in court.