NCJ Number
209666
Date Published
April 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the findings of a study that shows the utility of the polygraph as an investigative tool regardless of its reliability and validity.
Abstract
The FBI's Polygraph Unit conducted an archival study of 2,641 polygraph examinations from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2003. All of the examinations were conducted by certified FBI polygraph examiners. The study included examinations that produced deceptive results followed by examinees' confessions, admissions, or information of investigative value (n=1,325), as well as deceptive reports that yielded no useful additional information from examinees (n=1,316). These findings confirm the theory that as long as examinees "believe" the polygraph to be a valid test for deception, then findings of deception can stimulate admissions and confessions by those who have been concealing or lying about matters covered in the exam. Thus, regardless of its validity or reliability, polygraph testing can aid investigators in obtaining further information from examinees who have been deceptive and believe that their deception has been revealed to investigators by the polygraph. 9 notes