NCJ Number
145826
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 19-34
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
While the use of polygraph examinations in investigations of child sexual abuse has increased in recent years, there seems to be insufficient scientific evidence to support the validity of testing under these circumstances.
Abstract
In fact, according to this article, the nature of child sexual abuse allegations make polygraph examinations particularly difficult, precisely because characteristics of the offense, the offender, and the investigation influence patterns of arousal that the examiner must interpret to be truth-telling or deceit. Among the considerations that could influence test outcome include sexual offender perception and memory, the emotional arousal engendered by sexual abuse investigations, and the effect of base rates of guilt and innocence in the population of suspected sexual offenders who are tested. 40 references