NCJ Number
105894
Journal
Journal of the American Medical Association Volume: 256 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 5, 1986) Pages: 1172-1175
Date Published
1986
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The American Medical Association (AMA) Council on Scientific Affairs has reviewed the data on the validity and accuracy of polygraph testing and finds that classification of guilty can be made with 75 percent to 97 percent accuracy, but that this test should not be the sole arbiter of guilt or innocence.
Abstract
Lie detector tests, recording blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and galvanic skin resistance while questions are asked, have been offered in court as evidence since the 1920's. The courts have still not entirely accepted polygraph evidence. However, employers are using it for security clearance, screening, cheating, and determination of paternity. These uses have not been adequately studied, but the test is not yet reliable enough to be the sole arbiter of guilt or innocence in a criminal trial. It is no more accurate when applied to personnel screening. Though the polygraph can recognize guilty suspects with an accuracy that is better than chance, error rates of significant size are possible. Until testing and its scoring can be shown to be valid with a high level of predictability, the AMA should not support the polygraphy test in industry or in the Federal Government as a preemployment test. 11 references. (Author abstract modified)