FAIRFIELD, Iowa, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- An investigative technique that reads involuntary brain signals may be used to help overturn a death sentence in a U.S. murder case, the BBC reported Tuesday.
The controversial test, known as "brain fingerprinting," is to be used as evidence in an attempt to overturn the conviction of Jimmy Ray Slaughter, who is on deathrow for an Oklahoma murder.
Developed by Brain Fingerprinting Laboratories, of Fairfield, Iowa, the technology picks up an electrical signal from the brain -- known as a p300 wave -- as suspects are shown images related to the crime.
Unlike the more common lie detector test, suspects have no control over the wave.
Although the technology is admissible in U.S. courts, critics say it needs improvement before it can be the basis for court decisions, according to the BBC.
Slaughter was convicted of killing his former girlfriend and their 11-month-old daughter, but brain fingerprinting tests indicated he was not aware of the location of the bodies, a key component of the conviction.
