Can criminals use propranolol to erase crime-related memories? A response to McGorrery (2017)

Abstract

Technology for detecting incriminating knowledge in suspects, such as ‘brain fingerprinting’, raises several ethical and practical difficulties. In a recent article, McGorrery suggests that criminals may use propranolol to modify their memories for a crime and thereby trick ‘brain fingerprinting’ technology. While we agree that there are many limitations and concerns regarding the use of such technology in criminal proceedings, we explain why propranolol usage by offenders is unlikely to undermine knowledge detection technology.