Aftab Poonawalla had googled and researched about brain-mapping, lie-detector and narco tests and how to beat them

NEW DELHI:  Since the beginning of the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Shraddha Walkar, her live-in partner Aftab Poonawalla has been very evasive in answering certain questions regarding the case.

It seems he had prepared him over the last one year for these moments and this situation, knowing well that one day he may be caught by the cops and he had prepared himself mentally and technically for it.

While the Delhi police have obtained permission from the court to conduct a narco-analysis test to ascertain the truth and find out the extent to which Aftab is lying or telling the truth, the route may not be so easy for them.

The cops feel that a narco-analysis test would help get more information from the accused. This test is only performed in the presence of a psychologist, doctor, investigating officer, and/or forensic expert.

However, sources in the Delhi police said Aftab Poonawalla had prepared him for this – he had widely researched and read up all the online articles and content on brain-mapping, narco-analysis, lie-detector and polygraph testing, how to beat them and how to subvert the testing system.

Aftab had even practiced deep breathing exercises, breath control, controlling eyelid movement and control of other physio-physical signals like enlargement of the retina, blinking of eyelids, sweating, increased heart-beat and other factors which the lie-detectors and polygraphs monitor when the subject is under test.

Further brain-mapping involves observing and recording the electronic signals in the brain during the test and questioning process. However, if a subject tries to control his thoughts and actions by playing or replaying and thinking about certain mental images – like happy moment, sad moments and angry moments in his brain while the questioning is going on, the machines may recording conflicting brain signals.

Further narco-analysis involves injecting the subject under test with certain chemicals that cause the subject to lose control.  This test involves the intravenous administration of a drug (such as sodium pentothal, scopolamine and sodium amytal) that causes the subject to enter into various stages of anesthesia and lose active control over his thoughts and emotions. It means a person is put into a sort of trance or mini sleep state in which he is not fully conscious of the surroundings and situation. It’s like getting drunk, when the individual seems to open up and let go.

Aftab Poonawalla had attempted and tried various drugs and tried controlling his emotions and thoughts while he was under the influence of those drugs, said a police source.

He had apparently read up on every article on these subjects and knew the shortfalls and limitations of each method and test, probably understanding that some day he would have to face similar tests himself.