Polygraphs can be fooled... so should we use them in crime deterrent?

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

See title

 

[kdonnel]

We need precogs like in Minority Report.

The Department of PreCrime should be the largest department in the Federal government.

 

[Stratman50th]

Not sure how it would be used as a deterrent.
They are not considered reliable so aren't admissible as evidence in US courts.

 

[Mysterian]

A deterrent? That's not how it works, yo!

Maybe Jim the ex-cop will come back to answer. "As a former cop, in Florida, we use dolphins to predict homicides. So far all we know is the dolphin wants to kill a bunch of fish for dinner. We have taken the dolphin into custody."

 

[fla4fun]

I think polygraphs have their place in criminal investigations, as just another interrogation tool to see how people behave when they are questioned. The fact that so many things can affect the results, whether deliberate or not, is why they can’t be depended on in the same way as, say, DNA tests can be. But sometimes, simply the fact that some people refuse to take a polygraph test, or some people fail them so dramatically, can guide the investigators toward a new person to follow up on.

 

[sam_gordon]

How exactly do you suggest using polygraphs (even if they were reliable) as a "deterrent"?

 

[Allison]

I don't think anyone has classified them as a deterrent to crime.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think polygraphs have their place in criminal investigations, as just another interrogation tool to see how people behave when they are questioned. The fact that so many things can affect the results, whether deliberate or not, is why they can’t be depended on in the same way as, say, DNA tests can be. But sometimes, simply the fact that some people refuse to take a polygraph test, or some people fail them so dramatically, can guide the investigators toward a new person to follow up on.

Refusing a polygraph shouldn’t be considered an admission of any wrong doing. Most attorneys will advise their client against it.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

We need precogs like in Minority Report.

The Department of PreCrime should be the largest department in the Federal government.

That film kicked tail

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

How exactly do you suggest using polygraphs (even if they were reliable) as a "deterrent"?

I guess if you know there's a higher chance of you being found out and convicted you might think twice before robbing a convenience store of $15.40

 

[Mysterian]

I guess if you know there's a higher chance of you being found out and convicted you might think twice before robbing a convenience store of $15.40

Security cams are more of a deterrent in that situation.

Edit: How likely is it that the the police will arrange a polygraph because of $15.40 stolen from a convenience store?

 

[Mysterian]

Remember that one movie where Poirot was like "Someone in this mansion has stolen $15.40, and I will not leave until I find out who it is!"

 

[sam_gordon]

I guess if you know there's a higher chance of you being found out and convicted you might think twice before robbing a convenience store of $15.40

So you'd assume a criminal, thinking there is NO other evidence against them, would choose not to commit a crime because they might fail a polygraph? I mean wouldn't the prudent criminal think there might be cameras, fingerprints, witness ID, etc that would "be enough" to persuade them not to commit a crime?

A very strange question.

 

[kanerf]

Some positions with the Federal Government require a polygraph. I have had one and think they are foolish for the very reason that they are not admissible in court. The question being, if you fail the polygraph, can you sue for discrimination?

 

[Mysterian]

Some positions with the Federal Government require a polygraph. I have had one and think they are foolish for the very reason that they are not admissible in court. The question being, if you fail the polygraph, can you sue for discrimination?

I typed things into Google and found info on the Employee Polygraph Protection Act:
https://axeligence.com/employee-polygraph-protection-act-consultation/#:~:text=If you believe that you,action against the potential employer.

You mentioned the Federal Government- unfortunately government employees are exempt from this, but they are still protected under Civil Service rules:
"The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 prohibits discrimination against a federal employee based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicapping conditions, marital status, or political affiliation, similar to the Employee Polygraph Protection Act."

I'm not sure the nature of questioning from the Feds on a polygraph, but I'm guessing it's security related. If you fail on those grounds, then there's probably nothing one could do.

 

[mrodgers]

If we could move away from "the punishment fitting the crime" and go with "the punishment should fit the deterrent to the crime" we would have a far better deterrent to crime.

 

[Genie+]

Is it true you can clench your polygraph muscle to avoid lie detection? I’ve heard it both ways.

 

[sam_gordon]

Is it true you can clench your polygraph muscle to avoid lie detection? I’ve heard it both ways.

Where EXACTLY is your "polygraph muscle"?

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

So you'd assume a criminal, thinking there is NO other evidence against them, would choose not to commit a crime because they might fail a polygraph? I mean wouldn't the prudent criminal think there might be cameras, fingerprints, witness ID, etc that would "be enough" to persuade them not to commit a crime?

A very strange question.

Goodness knows. Just floating an idea. Certainly, for some criminals, every ounce of deterrent is necessary.

 

[2SLM]

If jail isn't a deterrent I don't know that a polygraph will be. It would also be quite costly. A polygraph isn't an in and out situation.