The Polygraph and Lie Detection

The polygraph, often portrayed as a magic mind-reading machine, is still controversial among experts, who continue heated debates about its validity as a lie-detecting device. As the nation takes a fresh look at ways to enhance its security, can the polygraph be considered a useful tool?

The Polygraph and Lie Detection puts the polygraph itself to the test, reviewing and analyzing data about its use in criminal investigation, employment screening, and counter-intelligence.
The book looks at:

• The theory of how the polygraph works and evidence about how deceptivenessâ€"and other psychological conditionsâ€"affect the physiological responses that the polygraph measures.
• Empirical evidence on the performance of the polygraph and the success of subjects’ countermeasures.
• The actual use of the polygraph in the arena of national security, including its role in deterring threats to security.
  

The book addresses the difficulties of measuring polygraph accuracy, the usefulness of the technique for aiding interrogation and for deterrence, and includes potential alternativesâ€"such as voice-stress analysis and brain measurement techniques.

• Front Matter
• Executive Summary
• 1 Lie Detection and the Polygraph
• 2 Validity and Its Measurement
• 3 The Scientific Basis for Polygraph Testing
• 4 Evidence from Polygraph Research: Qualitative Assessment
• 5 Evidence from Polygraph Research: Quantitative Assessment
• 6 Alternative Techniques and Technologies
• 7 Uses of Polygraph Tests
• 8 Conclusions and Recommendations
• References
• Appendix A: Polygraph Questioning and Techniques
• Appendix B: Use of Polygraph Screening in the U.S. Department of Energy and Other Federal Agencies
• Appendix C: The Wen Ho Lee Case and the Polygraph
• Appendix D: Physiological Processes Measured by the Polygraph
• Appendix E: Historical Notes on the Modern Polygraph
• Appendix F: Computerized Scoring of Polygraph Data
• Appendix G: Process for Systematic Review of Polygraph Validation Studies
• Appendix H: Quantitative Assessment of Polygraph Test Accuracy
• Appendix I: False Positive Index Values for Polygraph Testing
• Appendix J: Decision Analysis of Polygraph Security Screening
• Appendix K: Combining Information Sources in Medical Diagnosis and Security Screening
• Appendix L: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff
• Index