NCJ Number
161009
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (1995) Pages: 55-71
Date Published
1995
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Two researchers (Cross and Saxe) published an article in 1992 in which they said polygraph testing is inaccurate and inappropriate for use in the prevention, control, and treatment of child sexual abuse; flaws in their argument are examined, and a summary of recent polygraph validity studies is presented to refute their claim that polygraph validity and reliability have not and cannot be researched.
Abstract
Recent studies show field polygraph testing has overall accuracy rates of 98 percent. Polygraph. also known as psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD), testing is widely used as part of the investigation process in cases alleging child sexual abuse, as an important aid in the prevention of additional offenses by adjudicated child sexual abusers who are still in the community, and in the treatment of child sexual abusers where therapists are trying to help offenders overcome denial. Forensic psychophysiologists represent a small but an important part of the effort to prevent, control, and treat child sexual abuse. Specific uses and benefits of PDD testing in working with child sexual abusers are described. 39 references and 2 tables