NCJ Number
56092
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 325-336
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A POLYGRAPH EXAMINER DESCRIBES WAYS SUBJECTS UNDER INTERROGATION COVER UP THEIR OWN GUILT. THEY DISCREDIT ACCUSERS AND POLICE, RIDICULE THE CHARGES, AND DEFLECT ATTENTION BY FOCUSING ON PETTY ISSUES.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN MAKING NOTES ON VERBAL MANIFESTATIONS OF GUILT FOR MANY YEARS, AND CAN DOCUMENT THE POINTS MADE IN THIS ADDRESS. ONE EVIDENCE OF GUILT IS LABELED THE 'RED HERRING' DIVERSIONARY TACTIC, WHERE THE SUBJECT SEEKS TO DOMINATE THE INTERVIEW WITH DISCUSSION OF AN ISSUE UNRELATED TO THE MATTER ABOUT WHICH HIS GUILT OR INNOCENCE IS TO BE DETERMINED. THIS TACTIC WILL FREQUENTLY TAKE THE FORM OF AN ATTACK AGAINST SOMEONE HE BELIEVES HAS WRONGED HIM. ANOTHER TACTIC OF THE GUILTY IS THE USE OF AN ARGUMENTATIVE FALLACY KNOWN AS 'ARGUMENTUM AD IGNORANTIM.' IN USING THIS TACTIC, THE SUBJECT, RATHER THAN OFFERING ACTUAL PROOF OF INNOCENCE, CONSTANTLY EMPHASIZES THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF THE POLICE CASE AGAINST HIM. ANOTHER TECHNIQUE OF THE GUILTY IS TO EXTEND AND EXAGGERATE THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM SO AS TO MAKE THEM APPEAR RIDICULOUS AND SELF-EVIDENTLY FALSE. 'ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINIUM' IS ANOTHER STRATEGY BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT ANYTHING WHICH DISCREDITS A PERSON DISCREDITS HIS ARGUMENT OR ANYTHING HE MIGHT SAY. THIS IS EMPLOYED BY THE GUILTY TO DISCREDIT THEIR ACCUSERS. 'PETTY-FOGGING' FOCUSES ATTENTION ON PETTY ISSUES RATHER THAN RELEVANT MATERIAL; 'POISONING THE WELL' IS AN ATTEMPT TO DISCOUNT IN ADVANCE THE EVIDENCE THAT IS THREATENING TO ONE'S DEFENSE. SET SPEECHES AND REHEARSED ANSWERS, EFFORTS TO BLOCK PROBING QUESTIONING, REFERRAL TO ONE'S SELF IN THE THIRD PERSON, RELUCTANCE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION, QUALIFIED ANSWERS, AND ADMISSION TO ONLY WHAT CAN BE PROVED ARE OTHER TACTICS DISCUSSED AS STRATEGIES OF THE GUILTY IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID BEING EXPOSED. (RCB)