A man accused of domestic violence case has approached Gujarat Forensic Science University (GFSU) to prove his innocence. The allegations against him are that he was violent towards his wife. His plea led to a move by GSFU to carry out case study research on the victims in such circumstances.
Assistant professor at GFSU, Dr Priyanka Kacker, said brain electrical oscillations signature (BEOS) profiling or brain fingerprinting provides the most effective way to verify the sequence of that occurred at the time of the incident.
“This could be a new beginning in domestic violence cases, which will help verify the details stated in the FIR before action is taken against the accused. The Supreme Court had recently issued directions that domestic violence victims first be counselled, before an FIR is lodged,” Kacker said.
BEOS has so far been used in to investigate heinous crimes including the Nithari serial killings, the Malegoan bomb blasts, and most recently the alleged gang rape in a moving SUV in Ahmedabad.
“This is the first time that victims — who have agreed to be part of the research — will undergo BEOS,” said Dr Kacker.
BEOS measures experiential knowledge using a 32-channel electrode cap and is a non-invasive technique.
“Based on police records and the subject’s version, we prepare a set of one-line statements called probes. These
auditory statements are then presented to the subject. The electrodes map the brain electrical activity, called an electroencephalogram, and the BEOS converts the raw data into experiential knowledge activity, to indicate if the victim or accused has actually experienced the moment in question.
“The result is instrumental in verifying facts that the victim or accused have stated. This may save someone from severe mental harassment,” said Kacker. DCP Panna Momaya, in charge of the women’s police station, said they counsel victims before an FIR is registered. “If the woman insists on lodging an FIR, we register an offence and send it to the family welfare committee. The committee decides on whether to arrest the accused or how man of the accused to arrest.” “We are acting according to the guidelines of the Supreme Court and are thoroughly verifying details stated in FIRs before before taking coercive action against the husband or the in-laws,” said Momaya.
Source, here.