Polygraph Testing and Sexual Abuse: The Lure of the Magic Lasso

• NCJ Number: 190004
• Journal: Child Maltreatment Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 195-206
• Author(s): Theodore P. Cross; Leonard Saxe
• Editor(s): Mark Chaffin
• Date Published: August 2001
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examined the growth in the use of polygraph testing in sexual abuse cases, as well as an assessment of its validity and the need for improved standards.

Abstract

Polygraph tests to assess the truth are widely promoted for application in sexual abuse matters. The use of polygraph tests is advocated despite substantial differences in professional and scientific opinion regarding the validity of this technique. Polygraph diagnoses of an individual’s deception are inferences made by an examiner who compares physiological reactions to a set of questions. The test situation is also used to induce examinees to admit crimes. In addition to their use in investigations, polygraph tests are used by defendants seeking exculpatory evidence and by treatment and probation programs to assess and monitor sexual offenders. With most knowledgeable scientists considering polygraph testing unvalidated, sexual abuse professionals need to understand polygraph testing, whether they support it or not. Basic research is seen as needed on the underlying psychophysiological reaction of sexual abusers to a wide variety of stimuli, including polygraph procedures. There should be an emphasis placed on the interaction of sexual fantasy with memory and verbal statements. The research should examine repeated testing which is common in the monitoring of sexual offenders. This repeated testing can cause errors with deceptive individuals committing new offenses against children or errors with truthful individuals lives being devastated. Polygraph tests are seen as having utility in obtaining important information about offenders, yet the cost may be significant. Association with the technique may affect the integrity and credibility of sexual abuse professionals. The desire is to employ a device that would objectively evaluate questions about the honesty of sexual abusers. References