NCJ Number
224283
Journal
Legal and Criminological Psychology Volume: 13 Issue: Part 2 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 191-208
Date Published
September 2008
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the use of polygraph testing in convicted sex-offenders programs.
Abstract
The results indicate that the prevalent method of polygraph testing, the Comparisons Questions Test (CQT), suffers from several major flaws and has no scientific basis. These flaws, which characterize all usages of the CQT, including its use with sex offenders, is said to create a considerable risk for false positive as well as false-negative errors. Topics discussed as potential weaknesses are the CQT is based on a flawed rationale, lacking a theoretical foundation; the CQT is not a standard test; evaluation of responses is subjective; it is vulnerable to contamination bias; and the CQT is vulnerable to countermeasures. Additionally, it is noted that no methodologically sound research examining the validity of the CQT, neither in its forensic application, nor in its use with sex offenders has been conducted. This article serves to caution against the use of polygraph testing in convicted sex-offender programs, and explain why the use of CQT polygraphy with sex offenders is noted to be even more problematic than its common use as an aid in criminal investigations. The article states that rehabilitation programs of convicted sex offenders were highly important, but that the use of polygraph testing in this context is misguided and instead of reducing recidivism in sex offenders is likely to achieve just the opposite. References