Cephos has developed an MRI based lie detector.  This system uses Blood Oxygen level Dependent (BOLD) fMRI along with the usual lie detector metrics, to yield a more accurate polygraph machine.  Founded in 2004, the company has not had any revenue for 2004-2006, however they plan to commercialize the product in 2007.  Cephos currently has 5 employees and has given annual research dollars back to MUSC.

A major study from the National Academy of Sciences in 2002 has questioned the validity of polygraph use suggesting that both false positives (i.e., subject thought to be lying when he/she isn't) and false negatives (i.e., subject is lying but the methodology doesn't indicate that) occur frequently enough to not recommend its use for government screening.  As with all scientific endeavors, improvements in simplicity and accuracy are welcomed.  fMRI is the next generation of truth detection technology.

There are two major target audiences for CEPHOS' planned series of products.  The first is government, which currently uses a variety of techniques such as the polygraph as part of the process of granting national security clearances to individuals in government and industry.  The Department of Defense alone spends in excess of $200 million for polygraph testing.  The second major target audience is the legal marketplace.  Truth, integrity and trust form the foundation of our legal system.  The objective measure of truth and deception that CEPHOS offers will help protect the innocent and convict the guilty.  Cephos technology will also help litigators reach quick, favorable conclusions to high stakes judicial proceedings by providing pre-trial negotiating leverage and by bolstering the credibility of defendants and witnesses in the courtroom.

To learn more about Cephos, please check out their website at: http://www.cephoscorp.com