The role of psychophysiology in forensic assessments: Deception detection, ERPs, and virtual reality mock crime scenarios

Ralf Mertens, John J.B. Allen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

102 Scopus citations

Abstract

Few data are available to address whether the use of ERP-based deception detection alternatives have sufficient validity for applied use. The present study was designed to replicate and extend J. P. Rosenfeld, M. Soskins, G. Bosh, and A. Ryan's (2004) study by utilizing a virtual reality crime scenario to determine whether ERP-based procedures, including brain fingerprinting, can be rendered less effective by participant manipulation by employing a virtual reality crime scenario and multiple countermeasures. Bayesian and bootstrapping analytic approaches were used to classify individuals as guilty or innocent. Guilty subjects were detected significantly less frequently compared to previous studies; countermeasures further reduced the overall hit rates. Innocent participants remained protected from being falsely accused. Reaction times did not prove suitable for accurate classification. Results suggested that guilty verdicts from ERP-based deception detection approaches are likely to be accurate, but that innocent (or indeterminate) verdicts yield no useful interpretation in an applied setting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)286-298
Number of pages13
JournalPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY
Volume45
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008

Keywords

  • Deception detection
  • ERP
  • Guilty knowledge
  • Virtual mock crime

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Physiology
  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Physiology (medical)

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