Chapter 5
Effectiveness, Scientific Validity, and Limitation
Of the Polygraph Test
Effectiveness of the polygraph
Recording the symptoms of deception is based on the well established
fact that an individual’s conscious effort deceive or to lie causes involuntary
physiological changes, which are the body’s reaction to a perceived imminent
danger. Such changes are brought about by the stimulating effect well
prepared questions that, when answered truthfully, may lead to a punishment.
Thus, it is not the act of lying or the guilt involved, which alters person’s
psychological response; rather, it is his fear of subsequent punishment when
the subject’s lie is exposed, that is, the greater the consequences of being,
detected, the greater the fear of detection.
Furthermore, if the subject has a greater motivation to deceive, then
there is a greater likelihood that the deception is detected. In this case, the
increased fear triggers the involuntary physiological changes, some of which
can be recorded and accurately diagnosed, including respiration, blood
pressure, and pulse beat. Other capabilities of the test include the fact that is
can rapidly and accurately verify or discredit statements made by subjects and
witnesses.
Scientific Validity
The Scientific tool known as a polygraph or a lie detector, is arguably the
most intriguing tool by which to extract truth among the wide array of scientific
evidence. Although a lie detector is widely known, it is also widely
misunderstood. Lie detector is an extremely complicated procedure, which
makes it an exceptionally interesting subject to analyze from a scientific point
of view. First, it draws upon the conclusions and methods of many disciplines
that deal with human physiology and behavior. Second, it presents an
important probability issue, which has wider application in criminal law. Third,
its most intriguing quality has to do with the fact that it holds an important
position in the fields of criminal procedure and evidence.
While the polygraph appears to be wildly used, its results are often ruled
out from trials even when they are introduced by the accused himself. This
exclusionary policy, however, has been attacked by some leading
commentators on evidence, who tend to favor the introduction of lie detector
results in civil and criminal trials. These people even suggest that there is
something unscientific about a legal system that excludes such evidence.
However, it is worthwhile to note that their eagerness to endorse the technique
is probably due to the fact that, out of all problems associated with human
testimony, such as the accuracy of perception or one's ability to recall, no other
problem can be considered more destructive to the just outcome of a trial than
a deceptive witness.
What is validity?
Validity of polygraph testing, refers to the accuracy of the test is detecting
either the deception or truthfulness from any given subject.
What is Reliability?
Reliability refers to the extent to which a subject can yield the same test scores
even when re-tested.
The two concepts of scientific validity:
Construct Validity
Criterion Validity
Construct Validity
The concept of "construct validity" refers to whether or not a test can
sufficiently and accurately measure the underlying trait, which it is supposed
to evaluate or assess.
Criterion Validity
Criterion validity is considered the central component of validity analysis.
Criterion Validity refers to the relationship between a criterion of basic truth
and test outcomes
Limitations of the Polygraph
Attempt to use confessions, panel judgments, judicial outcomes, and other
criteria as indicators of truth have their own problems. Individuals may confess
to crimes which day did not commit. In addition, individuals are sometimes
falsely convicted. Panel decisions may be generalizable only to cases in which
sufficient investigative information is available to make a decision without the
addition of polygraph testing. One can ever be certain that the panel decision is
indeed correct, and the panel and the polygraph examiner may have been
exposed to the same prior information. Thus, while field studies provide the
most direct evidence about polygraph test Validity, they have been criticized
because they do not adequately meet the standards of "ground truth" to
establish criterion validity.
Despite the fact that the polygraph can help examiners of teen crucial
information that can help solve a crime being investigated, it is also realistic to
know that the polygraph has several limitations. These are
1. It is an invaluable investigative aid, but it can never be used as a substitute
for a thorough investigation.
2. It is not a lie detector; it is a scientific diagnostic instrument.
3. It does not determine facts. Rather, it records responses to questions with
answers that the subject knows to be true, and answers that can be verified or
discredited. It is a test where the accuracy depends on the examiner, and the
results are dependent on the thoroughness of the prior investigation.
4. It is only as accurate as the examiner who conduct the test.