Discussion Of Whether Polygraphs Are Useless Or Not

The debate of whether police departments should administer polygraph tests to include or eliminate suspects is one that continues to elicit mixed reactions among different quarters. In particular, concerns over their reliability continue to incite heated debates in the judicial departments. Even though polygraphs were adopted with noble intentions; opponents of the device maintain they are not a proven to determine honesty. In backing up their claims, they assert that deception is a trait that lacks any unique psychological sign. The polygraph measures things like breathing, heart rate, as well as blood pressure. According to opposers , no conclusive evidence has been offered to link these aspects. A lot of literature exists on the usage of polygraph, and a close analysis of the findings reveals that it fails to prove its accuracy. In a Supreme Court decision of 1998, it was even determined that polygraph evidence is not admissible in some federal court given the lack of consensus on its reliability.

However, despite these concerns, police departments and other government agencies continue to use polygraphs routinely. Various reasons have been offered to explain why there is continued reliance on pseudoscience when solving cases and screening employees. No complete theory has ever been offered to demystify the physiology of the lie. Sweating, blood pressure, as well as respiration all offer different physiological systems (Gannon 45). Therefore, they cannot be relied upon entirely. The fact that police departments have often felt the need to remind suspects that the polygraph can distinguish truth from lies accurately also points to the fact that they do not believe this is true since they have to ensure it in not only their suspect but as well as themselves. The idea upon which polygraphs are based is that by answering the control questions, some anxiety will be aroused in response to the interrogation. In reality the test simply measures anxiety.

The physiological measures concern themselves with truth. At certain times, even people who are telling the truth can show anxiety. This implies that people who are good at lying might have an unfair advantage compared to others. The National Research Council, through their report, is convinced that the tests are mostly flawed since they are focused on the responses that individuals give to mock crimes. These crimes might not reflect real world emotions. As psychology shows, people generally tend to anxious when accused of an actual crime even though they might be innocent. As some experts conclude, the tests can be beatable with proper training. The fact that the police department arrests individuals who offer such training is testament that they also believe the same.

It has also been suggested by experts that the polygraph tests are only useful when used as a prop. This is what psychologists refer to as the theatre of interrogations. It all depends on the skills of the examiner in convincing subjects that the lies can indeed be detected. However, as a deterrent, they are actually useful as can be attested to by the case of sex offenders who have been proven guilty by help of the device.

However, despite these concerns, the role played polygraphs in police departments cannot be underscored. It is important to realize that the relationship between law enforcement and psychology has over the years improved. In an overall manner, people have seen an increase in the services that are provided by psychologists when it comes to the police community. Polygraphs play extremely vital roles when it comes to the employment as well as maintenance of the police service. The forensic psychologists are often called up to do a pre-employment psychological screening and here they are able to assess as well as evaluate the potential of the officer’s intelligence, personality as well as overall fitness for the work. Further, the forensic psychologists also provide services when it comes to shootings, police suicides as well as fitness for duty evaluations.

The use of polygraphs can be described as the newest area of specialization when it comes to the forensic psychologists. It often focuses on the different and diverse identifying features of crime as well as the most likely perpetrator. The investigative psychology often includes broader areas and this encompasses the use of polygraphs, geographical profiling and psychological autopsies.

In conclusion, the use of polygraphs by police departments has its share of pros and cons. Forensic psychology had played a major role and had the most increase in value as well as significance in law enforcement. The work of the polygraphs in the criminal justice system and especially that of the police has brought a lot of rewards. The first is that it is easier to know whether an officer is fit for employment, or for duty. Police are currently being aided by polygraphs when it comes to investigations, the conduction of psychological autopsies, geographical profiling as well as carrying out research which helps in imparting knowledge to future police in regards to criminal psychologists.

Works Cited

• Custers, Bart. 'Promising policing technologies: Experiences, obstacles and police needs regarding law enforcement technologies.' Computer Law & Security Review (2015): 51-89.
• Gannon, Theresa A. 'Does the polygraph lead to better risk prediction for sexual offenders?' Aggression and Violent Behavior (2014): 29-69.
• Lahnpard, Frank. 'Technology in policing: Experiences, obstacles and police needs.' Computer Law & Security Review (2012): 62-79.
• Meijer, Ewout H. 'Deception detection based on neuroimaging: Better than the polygraph?' Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (2017): 17-98.
• Vaughan, Gordon L. 'Polygraph legal issues.' Fundamentals of Polygraph Practice (2015): 20-56.
• Yamamura, Takehiko. 'Development of the polygraph technique in Japan for detection of deception.' Forensic Science International (2010): 25-85.