Technological advances in noninvasive neuroimaging, neurophysiology, genome sequencing, and other methods together with rapid progress in computational and statistical methods and data storage have facilitated large-scale collection of human genomic, cognitive, behavioral, and brain-based data. The rapid development of neurotechnologies and associated databases has been mirrored by an increase in attempts to introduce neuroscience and behavioral genetic evidence into legal proceedings.


In March 2018, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine organized a workshop in order to explore the current uses of neuroscience and bring stakeholders from neuroscience and legal societies together in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Participants worked together to advance an understanding of neurotechnologies that could impact the legal system and the state of readiness to consider these technologies and where appropriate, to integrate them into the legal system. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
1 Introduction and Background
2 Use of Neurotechnologies and Neuroscience in Legal Settings: Case Studies
3 Looking into the Future: Novel Uses of Emerging Neurotechnologies with Potential Legal Applications
4 Developing a Framework for Use of Evidence from Emerging Neurotechnologies
5 Moving Forward: Potential Next Steps
Appendix A References
Appendix B Workshop Agenda
Appendix C Registered Attendees