For me to believe anything, I need solid proof and empirical data. In the 200 or so cases of reincarnation Rawat has documented so far, there is plenty of both to support experts' claims that the reincarnation factor plays an important role, alongside genetics and environmental influences, in determining the personality of an individual. The former life expert said that the age of recall is strongest until age five or six in most children, and the memories of a past life tend to fade out, or even disappear, after that. A good chunk of the cases he has researched involve children who were cut off in the prime of their previous lives by murder, suicide or an accident, he said. Like Stevenson, Rawat is convinced that birthmarks and birth defects are often related to injuries sustained in a previous life, especially injuries associated with violent death.
Birthmarks often correspond to gunshot wounds, or wounds inflicted by other weapons.
Radha's birthmark, for example, corresponded with the spot where she fatally injured herself. He said a Mumbai businessman, Jatin Shah, is planning to do a documentary on reincarnation research in India. Shah is hoping for some financial help to cover the Rs.15 lakhs he expects the documentary to cost.