Lawyers have begun to recognize the possibilities of using neuroscience. This is where the clash occurs - neuroscientists aren't studying the brain because they want lawyers to use their work in court to explain human behavior.

Journalist Kevin Davis discusses the impact of neuroscience in the criminal justice system, as new knowledge of the brain function and developement starts to transform how the law deals with mental illness and recidivism in the era of mass incarceration, and society at large reconsiders assumptions about free will, guilt and responsibility.

Kevin is author of The Brain Defense: Murder in Manhattan and the Dawn of Neuroscience in America’s Courtrooms from Penguin.