EVIDENCE - VOLUNTARY POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION RESULTS ADMISSIBLE AS EXPERT TESTIMONY

• NCJ Number: 17717
• Journal: Mississippi Law Journal Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1973) Pages: 800-804
• Author(s): W J LANDERS
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: University of Mississippi
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

IN UNITED STATES V. ZEIGER, THE COURT HELD RESULTS OF VOLUNTARY POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION, ADMINISTERED BY EXPERT, ADMISSIBLE AS EXPERT TESTIMONY CONCERNING TRUTHFULNESS OF DEFENDANT'S ANSWERS TO FACTUAL QUESTIONS ABOUT CRIME.

Abstract

THIS DECISION BY THE DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IS DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO OTHER JUDICIAL DECISIONS ON THE ADMISSIBILITY OF EXPERT TESTIMONY CONCERNING THE RESULTS OF POLYGRAPH TESTING. HIGHLIGHTED IS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT COURT DECISION IN FRYE V. UNITED STATES (1923) WHICH ESTABLISHED THE 'GENERAL ACCEPTANCE' RULE FOR ADMISSIBILITY OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE. THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS THAT, SINCE ZEIGER WAS WELL REASONED AND LOGICALLY PRESENTED, ITS 1972 REVERSAL WARRANTED AN OPINION AT THE APPELLATE LEVEL AND, THEREFORE, SHOULD NOT PREVENT OTHER ENLIGHTENED COURTS FROM ADMITTING POLYGRPAH EVIDENCE, FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF ADEQUATE FOUNDATION TESTIMONY.