Zur Aussagekraft von Neuroimaging-Befunden im Strafprozess

Over the last 30 years the forensic use of brain scanning technology in court has increased considerably. In the U.S. about two thirds of opinions involving positron emission tomography/single photon emission computed tomography (PET/SPECT) evidence are ruled admissible in court and often have a decisive impact on judges and juries. Undoubtedly, the impressive progress in modern functional imaging techniques has improved the differentiated knowledge on the neural basis of discrete aspects of crime-related cognition and behavior. However, there are several general issues which make it difficult to draw individual deductions concerning behavioral patterns from functional imaging results. By analyzing cases from the courtroom, the question will be addressed as to how far neuroimaging-based expert opinions are really supported by concrete findings in neurobiological research.