Brains on Trial centers around the trial of a fictional
crime: a robbery staged in a convenience store that has been filmed by
the store's security cameras. A teenager stands accused of the attempted
murder of the store clerk's wife who was shot during the crime. While
the crime is fictional, the trial is conducted before a real federal
judge and argued by real practicing attorneys. The program is divided
into two-parts: the first hour examines the guilt phase of the trial
concluding with the jury's verdict; the second hour looks at the
sentencing phase, when arguments for and against a severe sentence are
heard.
As the trial unfolds, Alda visits with neuroscientists whose research has already influenced some Supreme Court decisions, as well as Duke University law professor Nita Farahany, a member of the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. On these visits, neuroscientists show how functional MRIs and other brain scanning techniques are exploring lie detection, facial recognition, memory decoding, racial bias, brain maturity, intention, and even emotions. The research Alda discovers is at the center of a controversy as to how this rapidly expanding ability to peer into people's minds and decode their thoughts and feelings could – or should – affect trials like the one presented in the program. As DNA evidence has played a major role in exonerating innocent prisoners, Brains on Trial asks if neuroscience can make the criminal justice system more just.
Kentucky showings are listed below
Determining Guilt #101 [TV-PG]
Discover how neuroscience is influencing the sentencing of defendants - especially young defendants.
Explore the conceivable effects of neuroscience on criminal law and courtroom procedure.
As the trial unfolds, Alda visits with neuroscientists whose research has already influenced some Supreme Court decisions, as well as Duke University law professor Nita Farahany, a member of the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. On these visits, neuroscientists show how functional MRIs and other brain scanning techniques are exploring lie detection, facial recognition, memory decoding, racial bias, brain maturity, intention, and even emotions. The research Alda discovers is at the center of a controversy as to how this rapidly expanding ability to peer into people's minds and decode their thoughts and feelings could – or should – affect trials like the one presented in the program. As DNA evidence has played a major role in exonerating innocent prisoners, Brains on Trial asks if neuroscience can make the criminal justice system more just.
Kentucky showings are listed below
Determining Guilt #101 [TV-PG]
Discover how neuroscience is influencing the sentencing of defendants - especially young defendants.
- KET Wednesday, September 11 at 10:00 pm EDT
- KET2 Thursday, September 12 at 3:00 am EDT
- KET2 Sunday, September 15 at 10:00 pm EDT
- KET2 Monday, September 16 at 4:00 am EDT
Explore the conceivable effects of neuroscience on criminal law and courtroom procedure.
- KET Wednesday, September 18 at 10:00 pm EDT
- KET2 Thursday, September 19 at 3:00 am EDT
- KET2 Sunday, September 22 at 4:00 am EDT
- KET2 Sunday, September 22 at 10:00 pm EDT
