brain fingerprinting

a forensic technique that uses neuroimaging (e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging) to match brain activity of control subjects with that of possible criminal suspects when both are viewing crime-scene details. The technique is based on the theory that certain sensory-perceptual brain activity would be expected to become activated in an individual familiar with the crime’s details but not in an individual unfamiliar with them. [developed by Lawrence A. Farwell, U.S. scientist]