NCJ Number
11989
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1973) Pages: 313-326
Date Published
1973
Length
14 pages
Annotation
SURVEY OF LABORATORY AND FIELD STUDIES WHICH AFFIRM THE EFFICACY OF THE POLYGRAPH WHEN USED BY EXPERIENCED EXAMINERS.
Abstract
THE FINDINGS OF THIS REVIEW INDICATE THAT THE POLYGRAPH IS A VALID AND RELIABLE METHOD FOR DETECTING DECEPTION. WHILE THIS IS IN DISAGREEMENT WITH A CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE WHICH CRITICIZED USE OF THE INSTRUMENT, THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT RESEARCH ON THE POLYGRAPH CORROBORATES ITS EFFECTIVENESS. THE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT ALTHOUGH FIELD STUDIES, WHERE A SUBJECT'S LIBERTY MAY BE AT STAKE ARE MOST VALID, THEIR USE BY THE TESTOR IS LIMITED BY THE DIFFICULTY OF VERIFYING RESPONSES. ALTERNATIVELY, LAB STUDIES WITH ARTIFICIAL TESTING INCENTIVES MAY YIELD LOWER AFFIRMED PERCENTAGES, BUT ARE CAPABLE OF CONCLUSIVE VERIFICATION AND ARE CONSEQUENTLY MOST COMMONLY USED.