Several people would take a lie detector test if asked by the police. They have nothing to hide and want to show their cooperation.
But many innocent people have taken lie detector tests and still ended up behind bars.
The problem with polygraphs
Law enforcement has used lie detector tests (polygraphs) for over 100 years. However, there are several studies that debunk the effectiveness of polygraphs, referring to them as ‘junk science.’
First, it’s important to understand that lie detector tests can’t tell if you’re lying. Instead, they interpret physiological responses, such as pulse, respiration, blood pressure, perspiration and skin conductivity, to determine if the suspect is showing deception.
Unfortunately, several factors impact the reliability of lie detectors, such as:
- Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and OCD
- Fatigue
- Temperature of the room
- Experience of the examiner
- Examiner’s bias
- Medications
Because polygraph tests are unreliable and subjective, they are not admissible in court. Still, law enforcement will often use the test results as an interrogation technique in an attempt to get a confession, regardless if it’s true or false.
At least 317 people have been freed when DNA evidence proved their innocence. 29% of those wrongful convictions were because the person made a false confession. Using those percentages, it’s possible of the 1.2 million men and women currently incarcerated, approximately 35,000 of them falsely confessed to a crime they didn’t commit.
Furthermore, a majority of false confessions are made by people 25 and under. This statistic is alarming for any parent with a child in high school or college.
If you or your child is accused of a crime, it’s crucial to remember that, at that moment, law enforcement is not your friend. You are not helping them or yourself by taking a lie detector test. Your best course of action is working with someone who will protect your rights.