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Polygraph test not illegal/unconstitutional

May 17, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
I find it imperative to respond to the writer’s letter (05-14-08) where he stated that polygraph testing is both illegal and unconstitutional.

The writer was misinformed when he wrote that letter and used poor judgment, which clearly reflected his uneducated bias.

As a professional Law Enforcement officer working in Los Angeles, California and former GPF member who is knowledgeable in this area, I would like to take this opportunity to briefly correct the writer, and educate your readers.

Polygraph testing is being conducted on a daily basis by most free and democratic countries throughout the world, including England, Australia, Canada, Israel, Hong Kong and the United States of America.
Most Law Enforcement Branches of the United States Government use the polygraph, including the FBI and CIA; almost all police agencies in most States use the polygraph to screen new applicants, and as an extra tool in investigations.

While the polygraph technique is not infallible, research clearly indicates that when administered by a competent examiner, the polygraph test is one of the most accurate means available to determine truth and deception.

In the United States the three segments of society that use polygraph are the Private Sector, The Legal Community and Law Enforcement.

Although the polygraph instrument itself is essentially the same for all applicants, the purpose of the examination, type of individual tested, examiner training, setting of the examination, and type of questions asked, among other factors, can differ substantially; the instrument cannot itself detect deception.
Therefore, polygraph tests require the examiner to develop questions to be asked in each case, compare the physiological response (as measured by the instrument) to the different questions, and infer deception or truthfulness based on these comparisons.

So that your readers can understand what a polygraph examination entails, a polygraph instrument will collect physiological data from at least three systems in the human body.

Convoluted rubber tubes that are placed over the examinee’s chest and abdominal area will record respiratory activity.

Two small metal plates attached to the fingers will record sweat gland activity, and a blood pressure cuff, or similar device will record cardiovascular activity.

I encourage the government to use this tool to assist in investigations, with the emphasis on “assist”, and to verify that the examiners have proper credentials from an accredited Polygraph school, which is recognised by the American Polygraph Association.
Tajeet Jugmohan

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