What is the APAs and AAPPs view on the National Academy of Sciences report on polygraphs?
It is important for the public be aware the National Academies of Science (NAS) did not conduct any new or original laboratory or field research to prepare its report. The NAS review of polygraph studies was limited to its use in personnel security screening only, which included a review of just 57 of 1,000 research studies available. APA & AAPP agree with the panel’s important conclusion that although there may be alternative techniques for detecting deception, none of these alternatives outperforms polygraph, nor do any of them show promise of supplanting polygraph in the near future. Are polygraph exams admissible in court? Contrary to popular belief, polygraph results are admissible in most courts across the country. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the issue of polygraph admissibility so it has been up to individual jurisdictions to allow or disallow them. There are some jurisdictions that have bans on admitting polygraph results, but most allow them if both the plaintiff and
It is important for the public be aware the National Academies of Science (NAS) did not conduct any new or original laboratory or field research to prepare its report. The NAS review of polygraph studies was limited to its use in personnel security screening only, which included a review of just 57 of 1,000 research studies available. APA & AAPP agree with the panel’s important conclusion that although there may be alternative techniques for detecting deception, none of these alternatives outperforms polygraph, nor do any of them show promise of supplanting polygraph in the near future.
