NCJ Number
66441
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
POLYGRAPH TESTS CAN BE USEFUL IN VERIFYING INNOCENCE WITHOUT INFRINGING ON THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY, ACCORDING TO THIS AUSTRALIAN REPORT WHICH IS BASED ON U.S. EXPERIENCE.
Abstract
POLYGRAPH TESTING IS NEW TO AUSTRALIA, BUT ITS USE IS WIDESPREAD IN THE U.S. AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES. IN THE U.S., THE AMERICAN POLYGRAPH ASSOCIATION (APA), FORMED IN 1966, IS RECOGNIZED AS THE NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE BOTH OF ITS OWN 1500 POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS AND OF REGIONAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED WITH APA. THE MEMBERS ARE SWORN TO ADHERE TO THE RULES STATING THAT (1) POLYGRAPH TESTING COULD BE GIVEN ONLY TO A PERSON WHO FULLY COOPERATES WITH THE EXAMINER, (2) IS FAMILIAR WITH THE POLYGRAPH, (3) HAS PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THE QUESTIONS ASKED DURING THE TEST, (4) IS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN ANY POSITIVE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE TO ANY OF THE QUESTIONS, AND (5) IS FREE TO TERMINATE THE TEST AT ANY TIME. POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUE SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE USE OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS EVALUATOR, A DEVICE BY WHICH STRESS IN THE VOICE CAN BE ANALYZED. THE POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUE OFFERS ACCURACY SIMILAR TO THAT OF CARDIOGRAPHS OR X-RAYS. THE CLEARANCE PROVIDED BY A NEGATIVE RESULT IS USUALLY ACCEPTED, BUT A POSITIVE RESULT REQUIRES A SEARCH FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE. AS SUCH, THE TECHNIQUE CAN SIMPLIFY POLICE INTERROGATIONS. IT CAN ALSO PRESERVE PRIVACY FAR BETTER THAN THE EXTENSIVE PROBING WHICH CURRENTLY PRECEDES THE SELECTION OF HIGHLY PAID EMPLOYEES. DETAILS ARE PROVIDED CONCERNING LEGISLATION ON POLYGRAPH USE IN INDIVIDUAL STATES IN THE U.S. (ELP)