The disputed neuroscience of evil: How brain scan evidence entered death penalty cases
By
Guardian staff reporter
Summary
This investigative piece examines the controversial work of neuroscientist Kent Kiehl, who claims he can use brain scans (fMRI) to detect psychopathy and predict violent behavior in prisoners. The article traces how Kiehl's research was used in the 2009 death penalty case of serial killer Brian Dugan, and how his theories have since been adopted by defense lawyers in capital cases — with significant consequences for prisoners. The piece critically examines the scientific validity of using brain scans as legal evidence, the ethical implications, and the potential for junk science to influence life-or-death judicial decisions.
Source
bskyThe disputed neuroscience of evil: How brain scan evidence entered death penalty casestheguardian.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledHe was just utterly and completely psychopathic. A perfect – I mean, I hate to say this word – specimen.
The science is not ready for the courtroom. We don't have the ability to predict future violence with any reasonable degree of certainty.
This is not about whether the science is interesting — it's about whether it's reliable enough to help decide who lives and who dies.
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