A scientist says he can scan prisoners' brains for signs of evil

- This Guardian piece profiles Dr. Kent Kiehl, a neuroscientist who uses mobile MRI scanners to study the brains of incarcerated individuals, focusing on psychopathy and the criminal justice system. - Kiehl argues that brain scans can identify biological markers linked to violent behavior and psychopathy, raising questions about whether the legal system should consider neuroscience in sentencing, parole, or even predicting future crime. - The article taps into long-running debates: how much of criminal behavior is determined by biology vs. environment, the ethics of "neurolaw," and the risk of using brain data to label people as irredeemable. - Kiehl's work is part of a broader trend—US courts have begun to admit neuroimaging evidence in some cases, but it remains highly controversial among legal scholars and scientists who warn against overreach or determinism. - Key context: The US has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and there is growing interest in both reforming the system and using science to assess risk, but also deep skepticism about reducing complex human behavior to brain scans.