Brave New Forensic World

A reader draws our attention to a miraculous new device, developed courtesy of a $2 million federal grant, that the West Virginia Police plan to start using to test for drug use. Marketed as the "EyeCheck Pupillometer," the device resembles a set of binoculars. A light flashes, and the device measures the rate at which the subject's pupils constrict and then re-dilate. From this information, the machine can purportedly detect (and tell the differences between) marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol usage. According to the press release, it can also identify "abnormalities from chemical and biological effects, as well as natural disasters."

Remarkably versatile machine, we must say. Had it been used to scope out some New Orleanian pupils during Katrina, maybe FEMA would have gotten word about the breach of the levees a little sooner.

TalkLeft smells "junk science." We're skeptical too, but readers can consult the supportive research cited by the manufacturer and decide for themselves.

Update: The Science & Law Blog has more.