Editing FederalSpace:Technology (section)

===== Commentary =====

'''jsnead:''' We're headed for actual neural-based lie detectors now. I could see short range (perhaps 5m) scanners &/or devices that require some form of contact with the individual's nervous system (please put your hand on the verifier plate) that would be essentially 100% reliable. 

If you want, you can make their use mostly obvious by only having contact based devices exist. So, other than sneaking a verifier plate into the table where someone regularly sits and then asking them questions before they get up from that table (which sounds like great RPG fun) people are going to know if they're having a verifier used on them. So, it will work less well on espionage, but will be the perfect tool for trials and a very useful interrogation tool (as long as someone hasn't been neurally programmed to fall unconscious or die rather than answer a question when hooked up to a verifier). So, once you get someone in court, the truth will always out. However, not so much in more ordinary circumstances. I'm certain that there would be various ranged handheld lie detectors (we have portable voice stress analyzers now), but while they will be considerably more reliable than those we have - there's a vast difference between 90% reliable lie detection & 100% reliable lie detection, especially since there are almost certainly ways to fool the ranged lie detectors with various forms of special training or conditioning or whatnot.

'''Shadowjack:''' This looks playable and realistic, and is an interesting twist—photographs can't be trusted, but people can be. 

'''mindstalk:''' I have trouble seeing how a hand plate is supposed to be a lie detector; sure, you can have contact with nerves, but those nerves aren't a general purpose data channel for monitoring the brain. You need good brain data, which may well mean a mix of EEG and MRI, neither of which is a range technology. And neither one's even 90% reliable yet, I have to note. 

Of course, the right brain implant might allow for much easier and more reliable monitoring of the brain, where you just send signals asking if its host is lying, or feeling certain emotions. Thin line between better policing and better police state, but the Federation might think it's on the right side while the Alliance disagrees.

'''Shadowjack:''' On the "scale" principle, if an MRI requires a room-sized device today, in Federal Space it can fit under a table or in a backpack. Maybe you can conceal the scanners somewhere.

I originally had the Federated cops using an expanded Miranda, which included, "You have the right to refuse active scanning measures." An expansion of the principles of personal privacy, and of being able to refuse to incriminate oneself. 

I like, however, the idea of a lie detector having to be tuned for a subject. Have to think about that…

'''Pilgrim:''' Of course you could try generating a low power version of the above - like by having a person walk through a magnetic field, or beaming some low power radio waves at his head and noting the scatter. Neuropath by Scott Bakker has stuff like this in the background of the story. I'll dig out my copy and steal some quotes.