The 'Science' of Lie Detection
Try to wrap your mind around this logic:
Joshua Marquis, district attorney in Clatsop County, Ore. ... rarely, if ever, drops criminal charges because a defendant passed a lie detector test prior to trial. "The science behind them is not strong," Marquis said. "The absolute worst offenders -- people who are true sociopaths -- lying is a way of life for them, so they're going to probably pass them easily."Marquis, does, however, see polygraphs as a useful tool in monitoring probationers, a growing practice that has been upheld by dozens of courts despite defense lawyers' claims that such tests violate the constitutional right against self-incrimination.
So lie detector tests aren't reliable when defendants offer them as proof of innocence, but they suddenly become reliable when a probation agent wants to question a probationer. Can't have it both ways, Mr. Marquis. [more ...]
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