It's been just over 24 hours since I arrived in Mumbai and I am currently feeling rather out of my depth. I seem to make a new 'friend' every time I walk out of the hotel, but that isn't really the aim of the fellowship. I've been busy emailing people I was in touch with before leaving, but progress is very slow. I am also wondering if I am in the right place after all. I have spent months trying to locate the whereabouts of Aditi Sharma who was convicted of murder in 2008 partially based on lie detection technology. This was overturned in 2009. According to reports the testing was done in Mumbai and the conviction and release on appeal both happened in nearby Pune. If only I could get some confirmation of this I might be closer to uncovering the true story...
Another possible story lead is related to the recent Supreme Court ruling that EEG-based lie detection (Brain fingerprinting or Brain Electrical Oscillations Signature, BEOS) was inadmissible in courts WITHOUT consent of the accused (if the tests were done on them), but what if the tests were done with consent, or the tests were not done on the accused, but rather the victims or witnesses? Government to follow SC order
The scientist who was working on the BEOS system had agreed to meet me before I departed, but now is not responding to emails. I will keep trying and will keep you posted!
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