Evaluation Summary Table
| Agency | Year(s) of Evaluation | Key Conclusion |
|--------|----------------------|----------------|
| CIA | 1993 (panel review), 1991-1993 (funding period) | Limited applicability to counterintelligence; lacks screening capability required for primary mission; refused additional funding after panel could not assess validity due to proprietary algorithm concerns |
| DOD/Polygraph Institute | 1999 meeting, ongoing research focus | Research expenses and training costs exceed benefits; most criminal investigations lack specific information needed for Guilty Knowledge Test approach |
| FBI Laboratory Division | 1993, 1999 (panel review) | Limited applicability to investigative functions; concerns about subjective probe selection requiring advanced training; external variables (drugs/alcohol) not studied |
| Secret Service | 1998 | Limited applicability given high polygraph success rate for interrogative/screening purposes |
Common Themes Across Agencies
All four agencies identified similar limitations:
Operational Constraints:
- Brain Fingerprinting requires specific event details known only to perpetrator and investigator, making it unsuitable for screening functions
- Counterintelligence operations typically lack the discrete information needed for Guilty Knowledge Test-based techniques
- Most criminal investigations do not generate the level of detail required to construct effective probe stimuli
Resource Concerns:
- Research expenses, equipment costs, and specialized training requirements exceed perceived benefits
- Only individuals with advanced academic degrees in psychophysiology or related sciences can operate the system effectively
Scientific Validity Questions:
- MERMER component has not undergone independent peer review
- Probe stimulus selection relies on examiner's subjective judgment and skill
- Effects of external variables (drugs, alcohol) on brain activity remain unstudied
Divergent Views Within FBI
Two FBI agents who collaborated with Dr. Farwell on related research expressed a different perspective:
- Believe Brain Fingerprinting has potential for criminal investigations
- Note that current FBI investigative practices do not document the detailed crime scene information needed to construct probe stimuli
- Acknowledge implementation would require policy-level changes in training and documentation methods