2006-08-29 16:20:22 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
It's accurate in what it measures, but it does not measure "truth".
It measures pulse, respiration, and sweat response while someone is being questioned. The interpretation is up to the person administering the exam, and this is where the system falls down. A good examiner can tell if someone has a tack in their shoe, took a Valium or any of the other supposed ways to beat the machine.
It is an investigative tool that is very effective in the right hands, but compared to the numbers of guys with a night school polygraph certificate, there are very few truly well qualified polygraph examiners out there. The Feds require their examiners to pass a med school anatomy class before giving a polygraph to anyone. Those guys are very accurate, and very rare.
2006-08-29 16:38:06 · answer #1 · answered by Catspaw 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While some people believe that polygraph tests are reliable, there is little scientific evidence to buttress this claim. For example, while some claim the test to be accurate in 70% - 90% of the cases, critics charge that rather than a "test", the method amounts to an inherently unstandardizable interrogation technique whose accuracy cannot be established. Critics also argue that even given high estimates of the polygraph's accuracy a significant number of subjects (e.g. 10% given a 90% accuracy) will appear to be lying, and would unfairly suffer the consequences of "failing" the polygraph. It is interesting to note that, so far, no scientific study has been published that offer convincing evidence of the validity of the polygraph test. Polygraph tests have also been criticized for failing to trap known spies such as Aldrich Ames, who passed two polygraph tests while spying for the Soviet Union.
2006-08-29 16:26:33 · answer #2 · answered by Spock 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At one time I was accused of something that I had not done. I insisted that I be given a polygraph. My attorney that I be given two polygraph tests. This was a civil suit and I agreed to allow the results to be admissible because I did not do what they were claiming. I passed one test and failed the other. Clearly one of those tests were wrong. i know a cop who use a polygraph machine that had not worked properly for years and got the same results. It intimidated the suspects into telling the truth. Unfortunately it can also intimidate someone into telling something other than the truth (say what they think the police want to hear).
2006-08-29 16:33:53 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all mind over matter. If you think that stealing a candy bar isn't wrong then if you are given a test, you will get a negative hit meaning that you are not lying. Why do you think so many polygraph tests are inadmissible in court? There are many ways to get around the testing procedures such as putting tacks in your shoes, certain type of zinc containing deodorants and even taking a sedative before the test. How can something with so many loopholes in the procedures be taken seriously in this modern day and age?
2006-08-29 21:34:20 · answer #4 · answered by freak369xxx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, in every study I have seen it is not! The police, who seem to not be able to solve crimes without using it as a tool to determine if someone is going to get charged! How dumb is that! If their investigation is so bad. or they are that stupid, they don't deserve to be solving crimes! That's how innocent people go to jail and guilty ones are walking the street!
Any psychopath could easily pass one!
A polygraph cannot be admitted in court!
The issue with them is it doesn't measure the truth, it measures body response to questions!!
2006-08-29 16:33:05 · answer #5 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you tighten your anal sphincter when asked truthfull questions during calibration and relax during untruthfull questions you can beat the polygraph. The tightening creates an anxiety effect in your body than replicates the effect of stress when you are not telling the truth. But don't tell the FBI that I told you about this!
2006-08-29 18:53:28 · answer #6 · answered by looking4ziza 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A pollygraph test isn't considerred as an accurate method for determining whether or not someone may be convicted for a crime. These days law enforcement acgencies rely more on DNA testing as well as scientific investgation work and psychological data when investigating crimes.
2006-08-29 16:33:59 · answer #7 · answered by Stanbo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because some people can lie and still believe they are telling the truth. If I told myself I was pregnant(I'm not) everyday and told everyone and bought stuff for my child my mind would soon believe I am going to have a child.
2006-08-29 16:27:33 · answer #8 · answered by Kaish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is only as good as the operator. How he forms the questions will dictate how you might answer.
For example, asking if you have ever been arrested wouldn't yield as much info as asking have you ever done anything illegal, whether or not you were caught.
2006-08-29 20:20:40 · answer #9 · answered by gunsandammoatwork 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. it tells you somone's coronary heart fee. in the journey that your coronary heart beats swifter once you lie, right for you, yet mine could not... in line with probability i sweat alot orrr seem around when I lie.. i think of they're junk
2016-12-14 14:33:28 · answer #10 · answered by midkiff 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋