Will High Blood Pressure affect the test?

[1993caddie]

I have high blood pressure and im on a high dose of Zesrtil will this affect the out come of the test? Also if i refuse to take the pollygraph test will i be considered guilty? how do the courts look at refusing taking the test.

[George W. Maschke]

Polygraph "testing" has not been shown by peer-reviewed research to work better than chance under field conditions with people who have no chronic health problems and are not under medication. There is no reason to suppose it will work any better with those who have some such condition and are under medication.

If you have been accused of wrongdoing, you should refuse to submit to any polygraph "test." The "test" is a fraud. It has an inherent bias against the truthful, and if you are innocent, you run a significant risk of being falsely accused of deception should you agree to a polygraph interrogation. Even if you should pass, there is no guarantee that suspicion will be removed from you.

You asked how the courts look at refusing to take the "test." In almost every court in the United States, testimony regarding an individual's refusal to submit to a polygraph "test" is inadmissible. Indeed, in numerous instances, mistrials have been declared when mention has been made in court either of a person's having taken or refused a polygraph "test."

I strongly suggest that you read Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, which will explain the trickery on which polygraph "testing" relies.

Again, it would be a smart thing to refuse to submit to any polygraph "test." If asked to explain your refusal, you can refer those who want to polygraph you to this website.