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Author
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Topic: Child Polygraph Evaluation
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pal_karcsi
Member
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posted 10-23-2008 09:36 PM
  
I don´t live in the US , but want to find out if you can polygraph a child. I understand that you need a informed consent form and permission from the parents.
Which is the lower age allowed for this ?Any comments are welcomed. Best, ------------------
Hól vagytok székelyek, e földet biztam rátok.
Elvették töletek,másé lett hazátok.
Vesszen Trianon !
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skipwebb
Member
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posted 10-24-2008 07:31 AM
I can't speak for the government or for anyone else other than myself for that matter, but generally, most agencies won't test a child under the age of 12. Even then, the examiner needs to evaluate, or have an expert evaluate, the ability of the 12 year old to understand sufficiently, lies from truth and the consequences of telling a lie.the actual age of the child is less important than their emotional and mental age. I've tested several 12 year old examinees who had the intelligence and emotional maturity of a much older person. I've also elected not to test 13 year olds who displayed an inability to interact sufficiently with me and demonstrate an ability to understand and relate to the pre-test interview. The final call should always be that of the examiner. I would recommend that no agency draw a brite line cut off on minimum testing age. It should be based upon the examiner's decision after talking with the potential examinee or experts who have interviewed the child. I have also tested a few 12 year old subjects (with some concerns) because we needed the evidence and there was no other way to get to it. IP: Logged |
pal_karcsi
Member
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posted 10-24-2008 08:39 AM
Thanks for the input.
I´m also a Clinical Psychologist and agree with you on this issue.
The point is that a mother is asking to evaluate a 7 yr. old girl stating that she was masturbating another small boy ( also 7 yrs. old). This little girl knows very well what is right and wrong , but it seems to me she is too young for a poly.Best, ------------------
Hól vagytok székelyek, e földet biztam rátok.
Elvették töletek,másé lett hazátok.
Vesszen Trianon !
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rnelson
Member
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posted 10-24-2008 08:46 AM
Skip,Your comments are consistent with standards of practice adopted in Colorado. Here is a link to a PDF. Sorry about the Crazy background - something didn't transfer well.
http://www.raymondnelson.us/suitability/PolgyraphSuitabilityRN022007.pdf There are other standards/policy consideration regarding "special populations. For example: our local standards state that the intended added value or expected advantages to incremental validity, regarding risk assessment and risk management in the sex offender supervision and treatment programs, are 1) to obtain additional information, 2) to deter problem behavior, and 3) decision-support from the test results. Any of these is regarded as a reasonable basis for polygraph testing - they are the program goals. It is also stated clearly that without any expected benefit to any of these objectives, it is reasonable to forgo polygraph testing. This has been important, as it has helped us avoid and win arguments and accusations of a one-size-fits-all approach. .012 r r ------------------
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room."
--(Stanley Kubrick/Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove, 1964)
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sackett
Moderator
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posted 10-24-2008 08:47 AM
Pal,you would be right! 7yo's can not maintain attention long enough to interact for the examination, in addition to following detailed instructions. (When is the last time you asked a child to sit still and simply listen to music for more than a minute? It just doesn't happen successsfully!) Jim
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