Comments on: David Lykken and the Polygraph Myth http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/2006/09/david_lykken_and_the_polygraph.html Secrecy News from the FAS Project on Government Secrecy Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:11:08 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Anne Brewbaker. Dallas http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/2006/09/david_lykken_and_the_polygraph.html/comment-page-1#comment-868 Anne Brewbaker. Dallas Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:13:54 +0000 http://fasweb.beacontec.com/blog/secrecy/2006/09/david_lykken_and_the_polygraph_myth.html#comment-868 When I hear that a person did not get a job or that an individual was released from prison after 15 years of incarceration due to a wrong conviction, following a negative polygraph test, I really get upset, very upset because such a situation is unacceptable. The test results rely solely on the interpretation of the examiner, therefore it is the test's validity and reliability that are in question.The polygrapher works on the assumption that he can read our minds. Polygraphy will remain in place because it creates fear, and people do believe in it blindly without second thought. What is needed here, is ACCOUNTABILITY and RESPONSIBILITY from the polygraphers and/or the organizations that employ their services. Then, and only then we will see more logic, more caution and more sagacity in judgment, because there will be a price to pay for some terrible mistakes impacting the life of our citizens. We need to petition Congress about this particular area of accountability for deception exposure, for the good of all. -Anne Brewbaker Dallas. When I hear that a person did not get a job or that an individual was released from prison after 15 years of incarceration due to a wrong conviction, following a negative polygraph test, I really get upset, very upset because such a situation is unacceptable.

The test results rely solely on the interpretation of the examiner, therefore it is the test’s validity and reliability that are in question.The polygrapher works on the assumption that he can read our minds. Polygraphy will remain in place because it creates fear, and people do believe in it blindly without second thought.

What is needed here, is ACCOUNTABILITY and RESPONSIBILITY from the polygraphers and/or the organizations that employ their services. Then, and only then we will see more logic, more caution and more sagacity in judgment, because there will be a price to pay for some terrible mistakes impacting the life of our citizens.
We need to petition Congress about this particular area of accountability for deception exposure, for the good of all.
-Anne Brewbaker Dallas.

]]> By: Anne Brewbaker http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/2006/09/david_lykken_and_the_polygraph.html/comment-page-1#comment-867 Anne Brewbaker Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:37:07 +0000 http://fasweb.beacontec.com/blog/secrecy/2006/09/david_lykken_and_the_polygraph_myth.html#comment-867 Everyone should read Dr. Lykken's article to further or begin their education on constitutional rights. Polygraph testing will work only on the subjects who believe that a machine can detect lies and/or truth. If people would get informed on the myth of this machine, much of the money invested to perfect it so it can frighten people even more, could be spared for true scientific research. The purpose of the so-called "lie detector" test is to instill fear to get a confession or an admission. It has no scientific value. It's a "voodoo" machine and those who understand that are poor candidates for the--test.! So Law Enforcement Agencies want you to believe and respect this machine; but the fact is that polygraph cannot differentiate between anxiety caused by criminal actions and anxiety arising from other burdens or problems. There is no scientific study to support the claim of lie detection. It is pure quackery. But it scares peoples as they believe in it, so it WORKS.!!! However an examinee cannot reply except by yes or no. When the suspect is being asked to answer to the relevant questions pertinent to the offense, he cannot take the 5th since he must answer yes or no. And that seems to be a violation of constitutional rights. We also must remember that the police are overwhelmed with crime. The polygraph is just a tool very convenient to try to solve their many burdens.It's up to every individual to get educated and make their voice count. Anne Brewbaker Dallas. Everyone should read Dr. Lykken’s article to further or begin their education on constitutional rights.
Polygraph testing will work only on the subjects who believe that a machine can detect lies and/or truth. If people would get informed on the myth of this machine, much of the money invested to perfect it so it can frighten people even more, could be spared for true scientific research.
The purpose of the so-called “lie detector” test is to instill fear to get a confession or an admission. It has no scientific value. It’s a “voodoo” machine and those who understand that are poor candidates for the–test.! So Law Enforcement Agencies want you to believe and respect this machine; but the fact is that polygraph cannot differentiate between anxiety caused by criminal actions and anxiety arising from other burdens or problems. There is no scientific study to support the claim of lie detection. It is pure quackery. But it scares peoples as they believe in it, so it WORKS.!!!
However an examinee cannot reply except by yes or no. When the suspect is being asked to answer to the relevant questions pertinent to the offense, he cannot take the 5th since he must answer yes or no. And that seems to be a violation of constitutional rights.
We also must remember that the police are overwhelmed with crime. The polygraph is just a tool very convenient to try to solve their many burdens.It’s up to every individual to get educated and make their voice count.
Anne Brewbaker Dallas.

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