There is little guidance on the polygraphing of persons suffering from illness in the polygraph literature. The federal polygraph handbook is silent on this question. The American Polygraph Association's model polygraph policy is scarcely more informative, vaguely stating (at para. IV.3.C):

Quote:


So it is essentially left to the polygrapher's discretion whether the examinee is in fit condition to be polygraphed. Keep in mind, however, that polygraph "testing" has not been proven to reliably detect deception at better-than-chance levels under field conditions in persons without any illness. Polygraphy has no scientific basis and is inherently biased against the truthful. Polygraph chart readings, like astrological chart readings, are simply not to be relied upon.

sackett wrote on Feb 8^th, 2008 at 4:47pm:


Sackett:

Are you saying that people who are not physically fit, (like obese) not good candidates for a polygraph?  If so, why?  If not, please clarify.

NPC

nopolycop,

I am referring to the physical and mental fitness of the examinee at the time of the testing.  "Fit" meaning, they are free from illness, injury, abnormal distraction, etc at the time of the examination.  Not obesity or having trouble paying their electric bill...

Referring to this string of postings, an examinee who arrives for the testing who is sick with the flu, bronchitus, broke their leg on the way in, etc, is not fit.  In this example, the examination should have been postponed until he returned to his normative health.. 

Segeant1107,

you posted from Justice Thomas:

"Quote:
Although the degree of reliability of polygraph evidence may depend upon a variety of identifiable factors, there is simply no way to know in a particular case whether a polygraph examiner’s conclusion is accurate, because certain doubts and uncertainties plague even the best polygraph exams." 

I agree.  I personally do not believe polygraph results should be blindly admitted into any court.  As opined, too many variables DO exist within my profession (and with the examination/examinee, as well) to blindly give credit to polygraph as being absolute.  But then again, when dealing with people and human nature, what is absolute?

Fortunately, this has led the polygraph community to begin addressing standardization to reduce many of these variables.  But, like the psychological community (and many other social sciences) for example, the various schools have an influence on behaviors which affect the process of standardization.  

Sackett  

[font=Arial][/font][color=#0000ff][/color]Does anybody know any good, honest testers in the state of Oklahoma, so I can get him re-tested when he's healthy? By the way he has both the flu and bronchitis, and our county jail won't even give him tylenol without the Dr.'s ok, who only comes in once a month.

[color=#00ff00][/color]Yeah, butt those guys cost even more than Cody's lawyer does, and I'm tapped out. I had a heck of a time getting the $$ for the poly....and now it looks like I might have to pay for it again. I've been told that I have a good case to sue, right now, tho, I'm just trying to get him home!! He needs surgery, but the doc just wants to put him on antibiotics. For a blockage? Get real.

I will talk to my lawyer, who is a state representative....I don't have much faith in the public defender system....mine tried to get me to do a blind plea to 7 years, for something I didn't even do!!!! My new lawyer chewed him out for it. I will also talk to the lawyer that has been giving me advice on his case. Thank you for your suggestions. Nice to know I have people to talk to about this.

I said what I had to say concerning the matter.  Just because you ask a self proclaimed "direct and honest question", then answered it yourself, does not in any way require me to respond to it.

Have a nice day.


sackett