Brains on Trial With Alan Alda

2013•1h 0m•8.0/10

Documentary

Ratings

🎬TMDb

8.0/10(1)

Alan Alda speaks with legal experts and scientists to determine if developments in neuroscience could assist the criminal justice system. By visiting and participating in a dozen experiments, Alda gains insights into how, and what, the jurors, judges, witnesses and attorneys are thinking -- insights that may one day influence how the criminal justice system operates, and in some cases are already doing so.

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Language

Status

Ended

First Aired

September 11, 2013

Last Aired

September 18, 2013

Networks

PBS

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

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Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

Determining Guilt

Air date: 2013-09-11

Part 1 of 2. The ways in which advances in neuroscience may change the criminal-justice system are explored via the fictional trial of a teenager who's accused of attempted murder. Host Alan Alda also visits with neuroscientists.

Deciding Punishment

Air date: 2013-09-18

Part 2 of 2. The fictional trial reaches the penalty phase, with the judge hearing from the court-appointed psychiatrist, victim's husband and defendant. Alan Alda, meanwhile, learns how neuroscience is already influencing the sentencing of defendants.