NCJ Number
195412
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: 2002 Pages: 4-8
Date Published
2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the nature of ethical and unethical behavior for polygraph examiners.
Abstract
Federal and State employees must operate under the ethical mandates specified for such employees; this includes polygraph examiners employed by Federal and State governments. Several States have polygraph licensing requirements for polygraph examiners; for example, in Alabama, standards state that "No examiner will knowingly issue a polygraph examination report or render a verbal or written conclusion or opinion that is misleading, biased, or falsified in any way. Each polygraph report will be a factual, impartial, and objective account of the pertinent information developed during the examination, and the examiner's professional opinion based on analysis of the polygraph charts." Ethical issues also come into play in terms of the contexts and purposes under which an examiner may be asked to conduct examinations. It would be unethical, for example, for an examiner to accept employment by a company for the purpose of inquiring into the personal lives of employees, or to conduct polygraph examinations of members of a criminal enterprise to identify any undercover law enforcement agents. Thus, examiners should not become involved in any use of the polygraph that would serve criminal causes or violate the rights of those being tested. Examiners should resist influences that might unjustly or illegally benefit their political, personal, or financial well-being while exercising their professional responsibilities. 13 references