NCJ Number
197646
Journal
Law and Human Behavior Volume: 26 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2002 Pages: 527-541
Date Published
2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
In this article, the authors argue that a polygraph test known as the Guilty Knowledge Test should be considered for admissibility in criminal courts.
Abstract
The authors explain that polygraph tests, particularly the Control Question Technique (CQT) have, for the most part, been ruled inadmissible in criminal courts because they do not meet the required standards for admissible scientific evidence. However, they explain that there is a polygraph test known as the Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT) that is capable of meeting the new Daubert criteria (testability, known error rate, peer review and publication, and general acceptance). The GKT is based on research about orienting responses and habituation processes in humans. Basically, the technique relies on a cognitive approach to psychophysiological detection. As such, the authors contend that the GKT can be adapted to meet the legal requirements of admissible evidence in criminal court. The authors explain how the GKT is used through a case study. They also present two real criminal cases in which the GKT would have been a valuable asset had it been admissible. References