A polygraph can be a useful tool that can be used as part of a larger investigation to get answers. However, businesses interested in using the test need to follow the law to the letter to avoid legal
April 19, 2007 (Press Release) --
However, businesses interested in using the test need to follow the law to the letter to avoid legal action.
Polygraph tests have caused a lot of controversy and have generated many myths over the years. In November 2006, A Jacksonville, Florida firefighter fought the results of a polygraph test that he says was inaccurate. The man took the test as part of an internal investigation into an incident which allegedly involved nooses being placed on his uniform. The polygraph results suggested deception, but the firefighter has always consistently claimed that he found nooses on his uniform – an act that can be seen as a hate crime or a form of harassment. Administrators of the test are defending the polygraph as a reliable tool but the firefighter and his attorney are pointing out the many documented studies that suggest the test is highly fallible.
A polygraph is sometimes called the “lie detector test” but this is a misnomer. The test is really nothing more than a way of measuring the body’s responses when questions are asked. Polygraph examiners compare physical responses to questions to see how a subject reacts to questions for which the answer is known (such as “what is your name?”) and to questions for which the answer is unclear (such as “where were you on the night of September 30?”). By comparing the two, proponents of the polygraph claim that deception can easily be uncovered, since people react physically when they lie.
Should you look to a polygraph to get answers?
There are many situations when someone may want to use a polygraph test:
*Defendants interested in proving their innocence. Defendants involved in a case do not always have hard evidence to prove their innocence. In some of these cases, voluntarily taking a polygraph test can impress on the court that the defendant has nothing to hide and is telling the truth.
*Attorneys involved in criminal trials or civil cases -- and their plaintiffs. Attorneys do not always like to use polygraph tests, since the test results are not predictable. Nevertheless, polygraph test results can be used as part of the larger evidence of a case to prove guilt or innocence. Also, polygraph examiners can be called to the stand to testify.
*Banks and other businesses involved in internal investigations. Corporations running internal investigations into theft, crimes, or other workplace dangers will sometimes use a polygraph to determine whether employees are being truthful in an investigation and whether employees are loyal to a company.
*Some hiring committees. Some government agencies and companies use polygraph testing when hiring candidates. This type of screening is most common in jobs that require high-level security clearance or considerable responsibilities.
Polygraph tests have caused a lot of controversy and have generated many myths over the years. In November 2006, A Jacksonville, Florida firefighter fought the results of a polygraph test that he says was inaccurate. The man took the test as part of an internal investigation into an incident which allegedly involved nooses being placed on his uniform. The polygraph results suggested deception, but the firefighter has always consistently claimed that he found nooses on his uniform – an act that can be seen as a hate crime or a form of harassment. Administrators of the test are defending the polygraph as a reliable tool but the firefighter and his attorney are pointing out the many documented studies that suggest the test is highly fallible.
A polygraph is sometimes called the “lie detector test” but this is a misnomer. The test is really nothing more than a way of measuring the body’s responses when questions are asked. Polygraph examiners compare physical responses to questions to see how a subject reacts to questions for which the answer is known (such as “what is your name?”) and to questions for which the answer is unclear (such as “where were you on the night of September 30?”). By comparing the two, proponents of the polygraph claim that deception can easily be uncovered, since people react physically when they lie.
Should you look to a polygraph to get answers?
There are many situations when someone may want to use a polygraph test:
*Defendants interested in proving their innocence. Defendants involved in a case do not always have hard evidence to prove their innocence. In some of these cases, voluntarily taking a polygraph test can impress on the court that the defendant has nothing to hide and is telling the truth.
*Attorneys involved in criminal trials or civil cases -- and their plaintiffs. Attorneys do not always like to use polygraph tests, since the test results are not predictable. Nevertheless, polygraph test results can be used as part of the larger evidence of a case to prove guilt or innocence. Also, polygraph examiners can be called to the stand to testify.
*Banks and other businesses involved in internal investigations. Corporations running internal investigations into theft, crimes, or other workplace dangers will sometimes use a polygraph to determine whether employees are being truthful in an investigation and whether employees are loyal to a company.
*Some hiring committees. Some government agencies and companies use polygraph testing when hiring candidates. This type of screening is most common in jobs that require high-level security clearance or considerable responsibilities.
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