Explained: What Is Brain Mapping And Why Is It Relevant In Shraddha Murder Case
Aaftab Poonawala, the main suspect in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, recently had to undergo a narco-analysis test and a polygraph lie detector test as the Delhi Police were suspicious about his claims about the murder were false.
In case the narco test and the polygraph test are found to be inconclusive, the Delhi Police have now approached the Saket court to ask for permission to conduct a brain mapping test on Aaftab Poonawala.
BCCL
The FSL is likely to give Aaftab a brain mapping test to find more information about the Shraddha Walkar murder case. All rounds of the lie detector tests have been completed successfully to this point.
Is it legal?
Narco-analysis, brain mapping, and polygraph tests can’t be done on anyone without their permission, as per a Supreme Court ruling. However, statements made during this test cannot be used as primary evidence in court unless the bench determines that the facts and nature of the case permit it.
What is brain mapping test?
Unsplash/Representational image
The P-300 test or the brain mapping test involves the mapping of brain activity rather than physiological behaviour. It is done in the same manner as the polygraph test. Brain mapping may cover aspects of the field of neuroimaging as it produces images of the brain that have been enhanced by the result of additional (imaging or non-imaging) data processing or analysis.
The Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, a non-profit biomedical association, defines it as “the study of the anatomy and function of the brain and spinal cord through the use of imaging, immunohistochemistry, molecular and optogenetics, stem cell and cellular biology, engineering, neurophysiology, and nanotechnology.”
How does it work?
Unsplash/Representational image
In a criminal suspect’s brain mapping test, the accused is first questioned about the crime in question to see if he/she is hiding anything from the authorities. Also, the brain’s memory is activated by listing words associated with the crime.
A chemical that has little to no effect on the accused’s body is injected for the brain mapping test. Later, he/she gets word lists, some of which have to do with the crime and others that have nothing to do with it at all. Professionals then record the responses to these words.
In his most recent polygraph test, Aaftab Poonawala admitted to killing Shraddha Walkar and stated that he has “no remorse” for the crime. According to police reports, he also made some revelations about the murder weapon and the motive.
