The Truth About Polygraph Tests: They're Junk Science,

City Journal ^ | Claire Berlinski

[OddLane]

News organizations would render a valuable service if, whenever they report that someone has taken or proposes to take a polygraph, they reminded readers (or explained to them) that polygraphs are voodoo. Junk science.

They are no more reliable than a pack of Tarot cards. Polygraph evidence is inadmissible in court. There is a good reason for that. To check Brett Kavanaugh’s qualifications for the Supreme Court, Congress would do well to ask him whether he believes Frye v. United States and United States v. Scheffer were correctly decided. This would be far more illuminating (and meaningful) to anyone trying to discern his qualifications for the Court than asking him whether he assaulted Christine Blasey Ford...

[Revel]

I just said basically the same thing a little while ago.

https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3688893/posts?page=12#12

[StolarStorm]

Yep. Sociopaths can pass them while lying with ease. It provides a false sense of security to those relying on them. Amazes me that so many gov brances and defense related companies require poly for so many jobs now. Waste of time.

[LukeL]

Not to mention if you are on a beta blocker or another drug that blocks the effects of adrenaline on the heart and lungs you could also pass.

[nutmeg]

.

[WASCWatch]

Ted Bundy passed one. End of discussion.

[Berlin_Freeper]

When someone offers to take a polygraph test you know they are lying.

[A Navy Vet]

Laura Ingram had a long time polygraph expert on her show the other night. He explained why they are unreliable.
1. Many people can control their emotions. CIA, FBI and other intel operatives are trained to do such.
2. Even the most basic question can remind people of bad un-associated experiences which affects the heart rate and make the needle jump.
3. Many just get flustered for being under scrutiny.
4. Others are just congenital liars. I'm sure Hillery could pass a polygraph.

He gave some other examples as to why polygraphs are not reliable and not admitted in court. He made the special point they are NOT lie-detectors. There is NO definitive proof of telling truth or lying because of the reasons above.

[mindburglar]

The Larry David method is way better...

https://youtu.be/WpxRXklWSXE

[Jonty30]

I know of one person who passed their polygraph test by disassociating themselves from the questions and associating them with a friend who would have passed on their own merits.

[familyop]

A PhD. psychologist of average intelligence could easily pass a polygraph test. There are many ways for people to control their bodily functions. Imagine being impeccable and enjoying yourself with a peaceful picnic in a serene environment.

[cynwoody]

What Milhaus had to say about the topic:

Listen, I don’t know anything about polygraphs and I don’t know how accurate they are, but I know they’ll scare the hell out of people.

[Secret Agent Man]

Measuring nervousness and stress changes is what they do.

But innocent people are stressed at being suspects, and sometimes the questions themselves evoke stress.

Its really just a way to get people to admit things.

This is why they are not scientific and are not evidence of lying, hence why they are inadmissable in court.

[Secret Agent Man]

Costanza - Its not a lie if you believe it.

That is why liars can pass a poly.

[\/\/ayne]

I was shocked in the '80s to find out about lie detector tests - shortly after that the new owners at a restaurant I was working at freaked out after doing a bad inventory and thinking they were being ripped off. They decided to do lie detector tests.

I tried to tell these new owners that the inventory was not done right to begin with. I also felt bad that they were being ripped off by the lie detector company so I went to the library and made up a report on how lie detectors were a hoax.

At the opening lie detector meeting, I gave copies of the report to the owners, the lie detector spokesman, and anyone else who wanted a copy. It included a list of 10 ways to beat lie detector kits.

I was amazed they didn't fire me although they did later for "having a big mouth" about something else. A few months later they went out of business. I really did feel sorry for those owners - they were so clueless about the business.

[I want the USA back]

Calling them “lie detectors” made it so, plus the TV and movie hype and nonsense.

[ealgeone]

It’s not a lie if you believed it. George Costanza.

[hal ogen]

This so-called “doctor” and LIB loser should be waterboarded. That is the only way to be sure.