Are there Errors in Polygraph Examinations?
False positives and false negatives can occur. While the polygraph technique is highly accurate, it is not infallible and errors can occur. Polygraph errors may be caused by the examiner’s failure to properly prepare the examinee for the examination, or by a misreading of the physiological data on the polygraph charts. Errors are usually referred to as either false positives or false negatives. A false positive can occur when a truthful examinee is reported as being deceptive; a false negative when a deceptive examinee is reported as truthful. Some research indicates that false negatives occur more frequently than false positives other research studies show the opposite conclusion. Since it is recognized that any error is damaging, examiners utilize a variety of procedures to identify the presence of factors which may cause false responses, and to insure an unbiased review of the polygraph records.
False positive, False negative – While the polygraph technique is highly accurate, it is not infallible and errors do occur. Polygraph errors may be caused by the examiner’s failure to properly prepare the examinee for the examination, or by a misreading of the physiological data on the polygraph charts. Errors are usually referred to as either false positives or false negatives. A false positive occurs when a truthful examinee is reported as being deceptive; a false negative when a deceptive examinee is reported as truthful. Some research indicates that false negatives occur more frequently than false positives, other research studies show the opposite conclusion.
(The False Positive & the False Negative) While the polygraph technique is highly accurate, errors can occur. Errors are usually referred to as either false positives or false negatives. A false positive occurs when a truthful examinee is reported as being deceptive. A false negative occurs when a deceptive examinee is reported as truthful. Since it is recognized that any error is damaging, examiners utilize a variety of procedures to identify the presence of factors which may cause false responses, and to insure an unbiased review of the polygraph charts. These include: • An assessment of the examinee’s emotional state. • Medical information about the examinee’s physical condition. • Specialized tests to identify the overly responsive examinee and to calm the overly nervous. • Utilizing only validated testing formats and protocol. • Factual analysis of the case information. • A thorough pretest interview and a detailed review of the questions. • Quality control reviews. (Inconclusive
(The False Positive & the False Negative) While the polygraph technique is highly accurate, errors can occur. Polygraph errors may be caused by the examiner’s failure to properly prepare the examinee for the examination or by a misinterpreting the physiological data collected during the polygraph examination. Errors are usually referred to as either false positives or false negatives. A false positive occurs when a truthful examinee is reported as being deceptive. A false negative occurs when a deceptive examinee is reported as truthful. Since it is recognized that any error is damaging, examiners utilize a variety of procedures to identify the presence of factors which may cause false responses, and to insure an unbiased review of the polygraph charts. These include: • An assessment of the examinee’s emotional state. • Medical information about the examinee’s physical condition. • Specialized tests to identify the overly responsive examinee and to calm the overly nervous. • Utilizing
Yes! Though they are rare. False positive, False negative – White the polygraph technique is highly accurate, it is not infallible and errors do occur. Polygraph errors may be caused by the examiner’s failure to prepare the examinee for the examination, or by a misreading of the physiological date on the polygraph charts. Errors are usually referred to as either false positives or false negatives. A false positive occurs when a truthful examinee is reported as being deceptive, a false negative when a deceptive examinee is reported as truthful. Some research indicates that false negatives occur more frequently than false positives; other research studies show the opposite conclusion. Since it is recognized that any error is damaging, examiners utilize a variety of procedures to identify the presence of factors, which may cause false responses, and to insure an unbiased review of the polygraph records.
