Since time memorial medical science has helped immensely in solving crimes of various natures. However it seems like this is the very first time an fMRI scan of the brain has been used as evidence in a murder trial. The accused in the case was already serving a life sentences for two murders but was apparently released and pleaded guilty to killing a young child after kidnapping her from her home in 1983. In order to prevent the death penalty from being sentenced his lawyers argued that he had brain disorder by entering is MRI scans into evidence. According to them he was born a psychopath and so he was unable to control his behaviour. He was still given the death penalty. Personally I don’t believe that being a psychopath justifies that you’re mentally ill and don’t know what you’re doing. In the good old days a few gruesome murders pretty much made that a fact, an MRI scan as proof shouldn’t make a difference. I’m not for the death sentence but in certain cases you have to wonder, there’s no cure and there’s no stopping a psychopath, perhaps it’s not really a tough decision.

Science insider