DARPA –Terrorist Threat Detection

The ability to monitor and record the small electroencephalographic (EEG) voltages from the human scalp with various styles of electrodes and amplifiers is well documented. Recently, a novel method of Terrorist Detection via Brainwave Fingerprinting has been approved as admissible evidence in judicial courtroom procedures. This method of EEG analysis is based on research of the evoked potentials generated within the human limbic system as a response to a novel (p300) or familiar (n400) stimulus. This brainwave monitoring technique predicts the relationship between the human subject and a chunk of information presented as a visual image or an auditory question.

While even the most powerful EEG monitoring equipment cannot record signals without direct contact with the subject, our method seeks to bypass this limitation by unconventional means. We propose to examine the possible methods by which 2 or more humans can interact without the commonly defined sense modalities of vision, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

The Human Electrode paradigm utilizes the complete physiological acquisition and processing capabilities of the body to increase the signal to noise (s/n) ratio in EEG analysis. Our experiment begins by attaching conventional brainwave monitoring electrodes to two human subjects. Subject 1 is the Emitter and will be interrogated by a third person. Subject 2 is the Receiver or Human Electrode and will be sensory deprived with a blindfold and silent head-phones so as not to elicit a personal response to the stimulus questions. While the 3^rd person interrogates Subject 1 with a predetermined series of words designed to elicit novel or familiar evoked potentials; Subject 2 will be monitored for a synchronous resonant EEG response of p300 or n400.

Determining from a population of 300 million those planning to conduct terrorist activities is of paramount concern in the United States. The ability to gain insight into the mental activities of a suspected individual can be achieved with EEG monitoring equipment and “Brain Fingerprinting”, (Farwell, 2001). This method, only applicable with the full cooperation of the target, detects electrical voltages from the scalp then analyses for novel (p300) and familiar (n400) responses to questions.

Task 1 - Our approach extends the reception capabilities of the electrodes by utilizing the natural ability of a human body to monitor another human while in close proximity.

Task 2 - We are investigating interactive brainwave distances from 1 to 10 feet. Further research is needed to determine any possible field potential for law enforcement or military applications.

Task 3 – The ability to distinguish a specific individual within a crowd is achieved by “painting” the selected target with a pulsed laser light (TBD) and establishing a pre-selected carrier frequency signature for that individual.

The Human Electrode paradigm utilizes the complete physiological acquisition and processing capabilities of the body to increase the signal to noise (s/n) ratio in EEG analysis. Our method begins by attaching conventional brainwave monitoring electrodes to two human subjects. Subject 1 is the Emitter and will be interrogated by a third person. Subject 2 is the Receiver or Human Electrode and is sensory deprived with a blindfold and silent head-phones so as not to elicit a personal response to the stimulus questions. While the 3^rd person interrogates Subject 1 with a predetermined series of words designed to elicit novel or familiar evoked potentials; Subject 2 is monitored for a synchronous resonant EEG response of p300 or n400.

Studies completed at a US intelligence agency proved that Farwell Brain Fingerprinting could accurately and reliably detect individuals possessing information regarding mock crimes and real-life activities, including a small number of actual major crimes. In Experiment 3 at the agency, the information detected was relevant to a mock espionage scenario enacted by some of the subjects, and the stimuli that elicited the brain responses were relevant pictures presented on a computer screen. In Experiment 4 at the agency, which used visually presented words and phrases as stimuli, the information detected was relevant to real-life events, including two felony crimes.

Data deliverables: monthly status report, final report, test plans, test reports, specifications, computer program end items, user’s manual, drawings, transition plan.