Uploaded September 2013 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
To find out how neuroscience could improve eye-witness testimony in courts, Alan Alda traveled to Stanford University to visit with Anthony Wagner. Dr. Wagner's team is trying to figure out if there are memory markers in the brain for familiar places, not just people. He asked his post doc, Melina Uncapher, to wear a camera that will snap random photographs throughout her day. Just like the test Nita Farahany went through with familiar and novel faces, Melina's test will examine if she recognizes familar or novel places. With more research, this type of test could be given to a defendant who says he wasn't at the scene of a particular crime. Could we one day peer into his brain to see that he was?
This segment was taken from episode one, "Determining Guilt," from the broadcast, "Brains on Trial with Alan Alda."
To see the full episode, go here: brainsontrial.com/watch-videos/video/episode-1-determining-guilt
And for more video and other content, go here: brainsontrial.com
To find out how neuroscience could improve eye-witness testimony in courts, Alan Alda traveled to Stanford University to visit with Anthony Wagner. Dr. Wagner's team is trying to figure out if there are memory markers in the brain for familiar places, not just people. He asked his post doc, Melina Uncapher, to wear a camera that will snap random photographs throughout her day. Just like the test Nita Farahany went through with familiar and novel faces, Melina's test will examine if she recognizes familar or novel places. With more research, this type of test could be given to a defendant who says he wasn't at the scene of a particular crime. Could we one day peer into his brain to see that he was?
This segment was taken from episode one, "Determining Guilt," from the broadcast, "Brains on Trial with Alan Alda."
To see the full episode, go here: brainsontrial.com/watch-videos/video/episode-1-determining-guilt
And for more video and other content, go here: brainsontrial.com
