Ok...so the polygraph is invalid as a "Lie Detector".  The one thing it does is scare most Sex Offenders in to telling the truth.  Before the Polygraph was used, sex offenders in State Treatment programs only admitted to an average of around five to ten crimes that they weren't caught doing.  Now, your average sex offender will admit to previous crimes in the range of 100 to 800 offenses!!!!  I really think you people have your priorities wrong.  The goal here is to PREVENT MORE VICTIMS!  Who cares if we are stepping on the toes of the poor sex offenders rights...we are PREVENTING MORE VICTIMS!  We have certifiable proof, that since the use of the polygraph in sex offender treatment programs that recitivism has dropped.  Sex offenders are not re-offending, at least while they are in treatment, because they are afraid of the polygraph!   
Sex Offense is about lies.  THe sex offender is a habitual lier.  They lie to themselves and others to perpetuate their deviance.  Even if we are using a not-so-scientific tool like the Polygraph to scare them into telling the truth, at least we are getting the end results we want.  For every sex offender that comes on this site and complains about the polygraph, there are dozens more who are happy for the polygraph.  Because instead of resisting change, they actually want to recognize their deviant thinking patterns and they actually want to start living an honest life.  The polygraph has helped them to this end and that is why it is important in sex offender therapy.
As to the polygraphs use in the civilian world.....I don't think it has any place in the courts or in the job market as a lie detector.  But leave it in the sex offender programs!

Hello Fair Chance,
The proof you seek is in the physical world, not on the internet.  If your County uses polygraph testing in its sex offender programs, then you have all the proof you need for research in this area.  Your local probation and parole department, as well as the Therapists they use, can provide you with the list of those sex-offenders who re-offended while on probation before the institution of polygraph testing, and then the list of those sex-offenders who re-offended while on probation after the institution of polygraph testing.
The drop in recitivism is dramatic.  Good luck in your research.
If you find yourself stonewalled for whatever reason by a local county not willing to dig up any paperwork for you, then there are always other counties and other states.   
I happen to have a close relative who works for the county I live in and so the statistics were easy to come by.   
I also know several therapists who practiced pre-polygraph Sex offender therapy and who continued to practice when polygraph testing was instituted.  Interestingly enough, both of these therapists admit that the polygraph is un-scientific.  But it scares the sex offenders into telling the truth and that is what counts!   
Less victims is the goal of sex offender therapy and polygraph testing is helping reach that end!
People like WorriedMom, are only helping create a future victim by enabling their deviant loved-ones in their working against what modern sex-offender therapy has to offer.
I am as against the use of the polygraph in courts and the civilian job market as any of you, but to this end I say let the polygraph do its job.  If it helps prevent one child from being molested, then I say it is worth it to step on the rights of a million sex-offenders.  Does anyone in their right mind differ with that opinion?

Quote:


Dear Mr. Psychology,

I admire your desire to stop sexual abuse of any kind.  We both understand that it is not about sex.  The abuser is using force to control another individual.  The abuser just uses sex instead of a gun, knife, or other physical device but it is far more harmful to the mental health of the victim.

There will be many offenders who will beat the polygraph because it is unscientific and not predictable in its outcome.  You do not have any qualms concerning possible innocent people accused guilty if it protects the innocents but how do you justify the guilty beating such an unscientific test and perpetuating their  violence?

Just as many do not want spies given a free pass to national security secrets, I do not want serial sex offenders given a "free pass" by passing a test which is not scientifically dependable.

Your definition of "certifiable" and mine do not agree but I do thank you for responding to my request to clarify your views.

Polylawman,

The available peer-reviewed research on countermeasures such as those described in The Lie Behind the Lie Detector suggests that even experienced polygraphers are unable to detect these countermeasures at better than chance levels of accuracy. And the American Polygraph Association quarterly, Polygraph, has yet to publish even one article setting forth a methodology for the detection of such countermeaures.

If you would have us believe that you and your colleagues in the polygraph community can detect polygraph countermeasures, then why not accept Dr. Richardson's polygraph countermeasure challenge?

Then why are you so bitter. What and who are you blaming for not getting that job either.  Tough Guy

By the way, does anyone have a list of the polygraphers in minnesota?  Im interested in creating a Registry of Polygraphers on our servers so that people can place complaints aginst these people and we can atleast try to figure out which polygraphers actually care about their jobs and which are just cranks trying to find out what sexual positions you like.  BTW, does a polygrapher have to take a psy test to see if they are sex offender types or can a freak just take the class and get to ask people all kinds of "Exciting" questions?  Sorry polylawman and mr. psy, but I dont have your names for the registry yet, please respond with them.  You have nothing to hide unless you choose not to respond.
dan

YOUR SON IS AN IDIOT!!!!!....THE MORE A GIRL THROWS HERSELF AT YOU THE MORE YOUR SON SHOULD HAVE STAYED AWAY.....YOU DID A BAD JOB RAISING THIS KID AND DID HIM A GREAT INJUSTICE FOR NOT PREPARING HIM FOR THE IDIOTS THAT SURROUND US ON THIS PLANET...YOU BEING ONE OF THEM....I CAN'T FORCE MYSELF TO FEEL BAD FOR YOU OR YOUR SON....WHEN IN DOUBT...KEEP YOUR PANTS ON....OR BE PREPARED FOR THE ENSUING TROUBLE THAT COMES WITH WHAT YOU DO....OBVIOUSLY IF THIS LITTLE GIRL TRICKED YOUR SON,SHE IS THE SMARTER OF THE TWO,AND ALSO HER MOM IS JUST AS MUCH A FAILURE AT PARENTING AS YOU ARE.....

Can a person take a lawyer with them to the polygraph test?