Dr. Larry Farwell, who was featured on Part 2 of Netflix's Making a Murderer documentary, is so confident in his brain fingerprinting technology that he's offered $100,000 to anyone who can beat it. The technology was developed by Farwell with the intention of mapping brain activity in a similar style to a polygraph test. As subjects answer questions, their brain activity is charted. The concept is simple: a murderer has special knowledge of the killing and someone who is not a murderer does not. Brain fingerprinting is able to identify who has that specific knowledge.
In the polarizing case of Making a Murderer subject Steven Avery, brain fingerprinting results serve as new evidence for the innocence of Avery, which he's maintained for the murder of Teresa Halbach. Avery is currently serving life behind bars for her death. He worked with Farwell at the request of his attorney Kathleen Zellner to try to prove his innocence.
Farwell said brain fingerprinting will act as proof Avery had no special knowledge of Halbach's murder. Zellner's findings show Halbach was killed with a blunt object near the trunk of her car. This evidence has never been presented at trial. After showing Avery a series of words, featured on Making A Murderer Part 2, it became clear Avery did not have knowledge of this specific part of Halbach's murder.
"The murderer knew that, but an innocent subject would not know that because it was not discovered until recently," Farwell told Newsweek. "Brain Fingerprinting proved that Avery did not know that. There is no record in Avery's brain of what actually happened when the murderer first attacked Teresa. When it comes to trial, this can provide scientific evidence supporting Avery's innocence."
One of the largest critics of Farwell's technology is former prosecutor Ken Kratz. The attorney is responsible for Avery's imprisonment and maintains his belief Avery is guilty. Kratz called Zellner's new advancement and research "junk science" in an interview with a USA Today affiliate in October. Farwell has offered Kratz a free brain fingerprinting session in a statement directed to Kratz.
"I offer you a free Brain Fingerprinting test on the issue of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to frame Avery," Farwell said through Newsweek. "Put your brain where your mouth is. The brain never lies. If you are innocent, Brain Fingerprinting will exonerate you. If you are guilty, justice will be served. Either way, Brain Fingerprinting will reveal the truth and prove it scientifically."
Farwell said there are three things Kratz's test results could show.
Kratz alleged if Avery was innocent, the Calumet County police were responsible for Halbach's murder. "If this is true and Kratz knew it, then brain fingerprinting will detect evidence in Kratz' brain of murder by the police and obstruction of justice by Kratz," Farwell said.
Another theory suggests police worked to cover up the crime. "If someone else killed Teresa and Kratz conspired with the police to frame Avery, then Brain Fingerprinting will detect evidence in Kratz' brain of obstruction of justice by Kratz and the police," Farwell explain.
Last, Farwell said results, which came back proving Kratz had no knowledge of either a police-led murder or cover up, Kratz's reputation would return to good graces. "If Kratz is innocent of obstruction of justice and related crimes, then brain fingerprinting will show that there is no record of criminal activity stored in his brain, providing evidence that could save his career and keep him out of prison," he said.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Kelly started a career in journalism after completing her education at The New School in New York City. She currently ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
