The Contribution of Mere Recognition to the P300 Effect in a Concealed Information Test

In two experiments, we investigated the role of mere recognition in a P300 based CIT. Mere recognition was isolated by having participants respond based on an irrelevant dimension of the stimuli. In Experiment 1 stimuli consisted of familiar and unfamiliar faces, with a dot placed on the left or the right cheeck. Participants responded according to dot location. In the second experiment, participants were presented with autobiographical information, alternated with irrelevant stimuli, while instructed to respond based on the case of the stimuli. Results showed that with both familiar faces, and autobiographical information, mere recognition was sufficient to elicit a P300.

Detecting Concealed Knowledge Using a Novel Attentional Blink Paradigm

Traditional concealed information paradigms rely on the idea that stimuli that are meaningful to a person (critical items) will draw attentional resources disproportionately, relative to stimuli that are not (irrelevant items), generating detectable differences on a suitable dependent variable (behavioral, psychophysiological, or neural). Here, we introduce a behavioral paradigm that could be used to reveal concealed information by exploiting the link between concealed information and attentional processes more directly. This novel paradigm is based on the attentional blink phenomenon in which detection of a stimulus reduces detection accuracy rates of subsequent target stimuli within a 200–500 ms time window. We hypothesized that a well-known face used as a critical item could capture attentional resources automatically, making it harder to detect the occurrence of a subsequently presented target face. The results confirmed this hypothesis, and showed that concealed knowledge of a famous face could be detected in 9 out of 12 individuals by looking for a relative dip in target detection accuracy after the presentation of a critical item.     

Brain fingerprinting field studies comparing P300-MERMER and P300 brainwave responses in the detection of concealed information

Brain fingerprinting detects concealed information stored in the brain by measuring brainwave responses. We compared P300 and P300-MERMER event-related brain potentials for error rate/accuracy and statistical confidence in four field/real-life studies. 76 tests detected presence or absence of information regarding (1) real-life events including felony crimes; (2) real crimes with substantial consequences (either a judicial outcome, i.e., evidence admitted in court, or a $100,000 reward for beating the test); (3) knowledge unique to FBI agents; and (4) knowledge unique to explosives (EOD/IED) experts. With both P300 and P300-MERMER, error rate was 0 %: determinations were 100 % accurate, no false negatives or false positives; also no indeterminates. Countermeasures had no effect. Median statistical confidence for determinations was 99.9 % with P300-MERMER and 99.6 % with P300. Brain fingerprinting methods and scientific standards for laboratory and field applications are discussed. Major differences in methods that produce different results are identified. Markedly different methods in other studies have produced over 10 times higher error rates and markedly lower statistical confidences than those of these, our previous studies, and independent replications. Data support the hypothesis that accuracy, reliability, and validity depend on following the brain fingerprinting scientific standards outlined herein.     

Time and Encoding Effects in the Concealed Knowledge Test

Although the traditional “lie detector” test is used frequently in forensic contexts, it has (like most test of deception) some limitations. The concealed knowledge test (CKT) focuses on participants’ recognition of privileged knowledge rather than lying per-se and has been studied extensively using a variety of measures. A “guilty” suspect’s interaction with and memory of crimescene items may vary. Furthermore, memory for crimescene items may diminish over time. The interaction of encoding quality and test delay on CKT efficiency has been previously implied, but not yet demonstrated. We used a response-time based CKT to detect concealed knowledge from shallow and deep study procedures after 10-min, 24-h, and 1-week delays. Results show that more elaborately encoded information afforded higher detection accuracy than poorly encoded items. Although classification accuracy following deep study was unaffected by delay, detection of poorly elaborated information was initially high, but compromised after 1 week. Thus, choosing optimal test items requires considering both test delay and initial encoding level.     

Differentiating Orienting and Defensive Responses to Concealed Information: The Role of Verbalization

Using physiological measures, concealed information can be validly assessed. Orienting theory has been proposed to account for concealed information testing. As orienting is characterized by heart rate deceleration, one would expect this type of heart rate response to concealed information. However, with some exceptions, an initial heart rate acceleration to concealed information is typically observed. In the present paper, we examine the role of verbalization to explain the mixed pattern of heart rate changes. Using a within-subjects design, 30 participants were asked to either remain silent or to give an overt verbal response (“yes”/”no”) to concealed autobiographical and control information. The results indicate that verbalization accounts for the initial heart rate acceleration. In line with the orienting theory, initial heart rate deceleration is observed when participants remained silent. Bruno Verschuere is a postdoctoral fellow of the Scientific Research Foundation (FWO).     

Countering Countermeasures in the Concealed Information Test Using Covert Respiration Measures

The effects of physical and mental countermeasures on the accuracy of the concealed information test (CIT) were examined in a mock crime experiment with 64 participants. To combat countermeasures, two covert respiration measures, hidden in the seat and back of the examination chair, were used in addition to the standard physiological measures (SCR, FPWL, RLL). Some guilty participants were trained to use either physical or mental countermeasures and apply them to distort the outcomes of the CIT. In the second phase of the experiment participants were detached from the standard polygraph devices and examined solely with the two covert measures. Results indicated that physical countermeasures lowered SCR accuracy but had a relatively small effect on the other standard measures. On the other hand, SCR was relatively resistant to mental countermeasures. Both covert measures were resistant to physical countermeasures in the polygraph phase. When the standard devices were removed, the covert seat measure was effective in the no countermeasure and in the mental countermeasure conditions but not when physical countermeasures were applied. The back measure was entirely ineffective.

The Concealed Information Test as an Instrument of Applied Differential Psychophysiology: Methodological Considerations

In this interpretative paper, I consider four sets of methodological issues that may be relevant to improving the concealed information test (CIT) as an instrument of applied differential psychophysiology. The first set has to do with psychophysiological measurement in the CIT (e.g., specific sensitivity testing in lab vs. field). Secondly, I consider the relationships between the psychological process of deception and the CIT. Thirdly, I consider the problem of laboratory-to-field generalization of the CIT, a consideration that includes a discussion of whether the lab/field differences are merely quantitative or actually qualitative. Finally, I discuss theories concerning the hypothetical mechanisms underlying the CIT, and argue that while the purely cognitive, Sokolovian, orienting response (OR) account is widely accepted as the sole mechanism, there is evidence to suggest that not just motivational, but even emotional mechanisms are also relevant.

p300乙酰化在卡介苗感染中的作用

研究p300乙酰化在卡介苗(bacillus Calmette Guérin,BCG)感染中的作用。构建THP-1巨噬细胞模型,比较BCG感染前后p300蛋白表达水平和组蛋白H3乙酰化水平的改变,加入p300特异性抑制剂Delphinidin,观察细胞内组蛋白H3乙酰化水平的变化。结果表明,在分化成熟的THP-1细胞系中,BCG感染能够上调p300蛋白表达水平和组蛋白H3乙酰化水平,加入p300特异性抑制剂Delphinidin后,组蛋白H3乙酰化水平降低。BCG感染通过p300途径导致蛋白质乙酰化水平发生改变。     

A comment on Farwell (2012): brain fingerprinting: a comprehensive tutorial review of detection of concealed information with event-related brain potentials

In a recent issue of Cognitive Neurodynamics Farwell (Cogn Neurodyn 6:115–154, 2012) published a comprehensive tutorial review of the use of Event Related Brain Potentials (ERP) in the detection of concealed information. Farwell’s review covered much of his own work employing his “brain fingerprinting” technology. All his work showed a 100 % accuracy rate in detecting concealed information. We argue in this comment that Farwell (Cogn Neurodyn 6:115–154, 2012) is misleading and misrepresents the scientific status of brain fingerprinting technology.     

P900: A Putative Novel ERP Component that Indexes Countermeasure Use in the P300-Based Concealed Information Test

Countermeasures pose a serious threat to the effectiveness of the Concealed Information Test (CIT). In a CIT experiment, Rosenfeld and Labkovsky in Psychophysiology 47(6):1002–1010, (2010) observed a previously unknown positive ERP component at about 900 ms post-stimulus at Fz and Cz that could potentially serve as an index of countermeasure use. Here, we explored the hypothesis that this component, termed P900, occurs in response to a signal that no further specific response is required in a trial, and could thus appear in countermeasure users that respond differentially depending on the stimulus that appears. In the present experiments, subjects viewed four non-meaningful (irrelevant) dates and one oddball date. In three experiments, we examined P900’s antecedent conditions. In the first, the unique item was a personally relevant oddball (the subject’s birthdate). In a second, the unique item was a non-personally relevant oddball (an irrelevant date in a unique font color). In a third, all dates were irrelevant. We speculated that the presence of an oddball would not be necessary for P900. All participants made countermeasure-like responses following two specific irrelevant dates. As hypothesized, P900s were seen to non-responded-to irrelevant and oddball stimuli in all subjects but not to responded-to irrelevant stimuli, and the presence of an oddball was not necessary for elicitation of P900. This finding has potential application in deception settings—the presence of a P300 accompanied by the presence of a P900 in response to non-countered stimuli could provide evidence of incriminating knowledge accompanied by the attempt to use countermeasures to evade detection.     

Brain fingerprinting: a comprehensive tutorial review of detection of concealed information with event-related brain potentials

Brain fingerprinting (BF) detects concealed information stored in the brain by measuring brainwaves. A specific EEG event-related potential, a P300-MERMER, is elicited by stimuli that are significant in the present context. BF detects P300-MERMER responses to words/pictures relevant to a crime scene, terrorist training, bomb-making knowledge, etc. BF detects information by measuring cognitive information processing. BF does not detect lies, stress, or emotion. BF computes a determination of “information present” or “information absent” and a statistical confidence for each individual determination. Laboratory and field tests at the FBI, CIA, US Navy and elsewhere have resulted in 0% errors: no false positives and no false negatives. 100% of determinations made were correct. 3% of results have been “indeterminate.” BF has been applied in criminal cases and ruled admissible in court. Scientific standards for BF tests are discussed. Meeting the BF scientific standards is necessary for accuracy and validity. Alternative techniques that failed to meet the BF scientific standards produced low accuracy and susceptibility to countermeasures. BF is highly resistant to countermeasures. No one has beaten a BF test with countermeasures, despite a $100,000 reward for doing so. Principles of applying BF in the laboratory and the field are discussed.     

The Effects of Sweep Numbers Per Average and Protocol Type on the Accuracy of the P300-Based Concealed Information Test

In the first of two experiments, we compared the accuracy of the P300 concealed information test protocol as a function of numbers of trials experienced by subjects and ERP averages analyzed by investigators. Contrary to Farwell et al. (Cogn Neurodyn 6(2):115–154, 2012), we found no evidence that 100 trial based averages are more accurate than 66 or 33 trial based averages (all numbers led to accuracies of 84–94 %). There was actually a trend favoring the lowest trial numbers. The second study compared numbers of irrelevant stimuli recalled and recognized in the 3-stimulus protocol versus the complex trial protocol (Rosenfeld in Memory detection: theory and application of the concealed information test, Cambridge University Press, New York, pp 63–89, 2011). Again, in contrast to expectations from Farwell et al. (Cogn Neurodyn 6(2):115–154, 2012), there were no differences between protocols, although there were more irrelevant stimuli recognized than recalled, and irrelevant 4-digit number group stimuli were neither recalled nor recognized as well as irrelevant city name stimuli. We therefore conclude that stimulus processing in the P300-based complex trial protocol—with no more than 33 sweep averages—is adequate to allow accurate detection of concealed information.     

用P300评价连续工作记忆能力差异的研究

目的：评价长时间连续工作记忆的行为学表现与事件相关电位（Event-related potential,ERP）的关系。方法：对16位健康男性青年（平均年龄21.4岁）,连续进行1h的3-back数字倒背实验,记录ERP。结果：受试者的行为学表现明显差异,记录的ERP的P300波幅存在显著性差异（P〈0.01）。结论：ERP的P300成分可以客观评价行为学上的差异。     

Dipole source analysis of auditory P300 response in depressive and anxiety disorders

This paper is to study auditory event-related potential P300 in patients with anxiety and depressive disorders using dipole source analysis. Auditory P300 using 2-stimulus oddball paradigm was collected from 35 patients with anxiety disorder, 32 patients with depressive disorder, and 30 healthy controls. P300 dipole sources and peak amplitude of dipole activities were analyzed. The source analysis resulted in a 4-dipole configuration, where temporal dipoles displayed greater P300 amplitude than that of frontal dipoles. In addition, a right-greater-than-left hemispheric asymmetry of dipole magnitude was found in patients with anxiety disorder, whereas a left-greater-than-right hemispheric asymmetry of dipole magnitude was observed in depressed patients. Results indicated that the asymmetry was more prominent over the temporal dipole than that of frontal dipoles in patients. Patients with anxiety disorder may increase their efforts to enhance temporal dipole activity to compensate for a deficit in frontal cortex processing, while depressed patients show dominating reduction of right temporal activity. The opposite nature of results observed with hemispheric asymmetry in depressive and anxiety disorders could serve to be valuable information for psychiatric studies.     

噪声暴露对大鼠事件相关电位P300的影响及其海马水平的机制

目的：研究噪声暴露对大鼠事件相关电位（ERP）的影响及海马水平的机制。方法：雄性SD大鼠,随机均分为正常对照组（C组）、噪声暴露组（N组）。暴露条件：105dB白噪声2．5h／d×20d。观察试验过程中第0、7、14和20d ERP各波的峰潜伏期以及峰峰幅度值,并检测海马神经元尼氏体、NMDAR2B及胞内钙浓度的变化。结果：在实验第14d、第20d,噪声暴露组动物ERP P3a、P3和P3b的峰潜伏期显著增长,而且在噪声暴露20d后,大鼠海马齿状回以及CA1区尼氏体显著减少（P〈0．01）,齿状回、CA1及CA3区NMDAB2B的免疫反应强度显著降低（P〈0．01）,神经元胞内钙浓度显著升高（P〈0．01）。结论：噪声暴露可致事件相关电位的改变,这可能与其海马神经元尼氏体、NMDAR2B以及胞内钙的变化有关。     

Interaction of oddball probability and primary task type on P300 in the dual-task paradigm

Using a dual-task paradigm with an oddball secondary task, P300 amplitude and latency were studied as a function of factorially manipulated oddball probability (low = .22, high = .44) and primary task type. In addition to a Baselinecondition (oddball task only), three primary tasks were used: (1) Pure Sensory;watching a movie; (2) Pure Motor (manipulating a flashlight); and (3) Sensory/Motor(using the flashlight to trace the outlines of characters in a movie). The findings included the usual significant effects of probability on amplitude. There was also a significant effect of task type on amplitude, and a significant interaction of oddball probability with task type. In the low but not high probability condition, a pure Sensory task depressed P300 amplitude. In both probability conditions, the Sensory/motortask depressed P300 amplitude. Only task type had a significant effect on P300 latency. The results confirm the ability of other labs (using Sensory/motor primary tasks) to demonstrate P300 depression at high oddball probability, in view of the difficulty in our lab of achieving P300 depression with pure sensory tasks and high oddball probabilities. The results are discussed in terms of partial overlap of processing resource pools. A preliminary report of these data was presented at the 1990 meetings of the Society for Psychophysiological Research.     

Correlations between indices of P300 EEG potential,cognitive tests,and variational pulsometry in Parkinsonian patients

The parameters of an event-related EEG potential (ERP), P300 wave, are now extensively used as objective neurophysiological indices of the state of cognitive functions. At the same time, information on the effects of the autonomic nervous system on the parameters of P300 is limited. In Parkinson’s disease clinics, in addition to the leading motor disorders, more or less clear psychoemotional, cognitive, and autonomic (in particular cardiovascular) impairments are usually observed. This allows one to study the dependence between the cardiovascular dysfunction and intensity of cognitive disorders in Parkinsonian patients. In our study on this contingent, we analyzed correlations between the parameters of P300 potential, indices of the state of the cognitive sphere (determined using a questionnaire, Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE, and a Luriya’s test), and indices of variational pulsometry. Thirty-five Parkinsonian patients (49 to 74 years, severity of disease 1.5 to 3.0 by the international classification) were examined. We found a negative influence of excessive sympathetic tonus in cardiovascular control on the state of cognitive functions. The latency of P300 potential was longer in patients with greater intensities of sympathetic influences on the cardiovascular system. The coefficients of correlation of the latency of P300 with the amplitude of mode of R-R intervals (AMo), index of tension in the regulatory systems by Baevskii (IT), and index of autonomic balance by Baevskii (IAB) were 0.52 (P < 0.01), 0.36 (P < 0.05), and 0.37 (P < 0.05), respectively. The above autonomic indices demonstrated significant negative correlations with the volume of short-term memory measured by Luriya’s test. The P300 latency, in turn, showed negative correlations with the memory volume estimated by the MMSE scale and Luriya’s test. With increase in the age of patients, the degree of the above-mentioned correlations between the P300 latency, memory volume (by Luriya’s test), and parameters of variational pulsometry increased. Our data emphasize the expedience of “routine” studies of the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic control in pathological states accompanied by clear or subclinical cognitive disorders. Early recognition of cardiovascular dysfunction and its corresponding therapeutic correction should improve the state of brain functions and quality of life in patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, in particular from Parkinson’s disease. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 43–52, January–February, 2008.     

The P300-Based, Complex Trial Protocol for Concealed Information Detection Resists Any Number of Sequential Countermeasures Against Up to Five Irrelevant Stimuli

We previously tested the P300-based Complex Trial protocol for deception detection against 2 and 4 countered of 4 irrelevant stimuli. The protocol detected 90-100% of these subjects with <10% false positives. We have also shown that Reaction Time (RT) to the first trial stimulus is increased (group effect) with countermeasure use. We also reported a new P900 component associated with countermeasure use when 2 of 4 irrelevants are countered. In the present study we report data from 4 new groups and re-present for comparison previously collected data to have 7 groups: an innocent control, a guilty group not using countermeasures, and 5 guilty/countermeasure groups who counter from 1 to all 5 stimuli presented (4 irrelevants plus a probe). Subjects were detected at rates varying from 92 to 100% in the 6 guilty groups (n = 12 or 13 per group). There was 1 false positive in 13 innocent subjects. Additionally, 41 of 60 CM users were identified with RT as using countermeasures. P900 appeared in the 2 groups using 2 and 3 countermeasures.