Criminal Justice Associates utilizes the Computerized Polygraph as one of the (3) Credibility Assessment Instruments. The polygraph was the first instrument ever used for lie detection, and has evolved over the years. The most advanced and reliable computerized polygraph systems are manufactured by Lafayette, Stoelting, Limestone, and Axciton. The computerized polygraph is used by all levels of traditional law enforcement, U.S. Military, and many foreign governments. A polygraph, as commonly known as a lie detector, measures and records physiological indices to include blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity, and while the subject is being asked a series of questions. The base premise of the polygraph is that Deceptive answers will produce physiological responses that can be differentiated from those associated with non deceptive answers.
The polygraph is an accurate credibility assessment tool when used by a qualified examiner. Our firm uses federally trained polygraph examiners who receive the best training due to U.S. government standards. Even with that polygraph does have some limitations that can reduce the accuracy of an exam. Mixing issues in one exam lowers accuracy as one example. This also includes examinees that have medical issues that would impact the final results. Pregnant women are out totally. The others that should be ethically eliminated are potential examinees with heart murmurs, pacemakers, and other various medical device implants, In some instances you can get poor results from examinees suffering from severe anxiety, depression, bi-polar, and borderline personalities. Medical and psychological conditions can result in a Non Conclusive Score where the Truth or Deception cannot be identified. Not to mention the company or organization paying for the exam walks away with no answers yet still had to remit payment for the services.
The single most objection from examinees is he or she must remain totally still during the examination. That alone can be a problem for many people. Children under 16 are not suited for a polygraph examination. In younger people it is important to have a suitability interview to determine if a young person, special needs person or other person showing visible signs of cognitive or comprehension issues. When people know he or she has to take a polygraph many of them see out anti-polygraph countermeasures information and videos posted free on the internet. There are even videos on Youtube that explain how to defeat a polygraph. Note the the short video which covers the A-Z basics of a polygraph examination.
