Polygraph Test to Determine Possible Future Violations

[Harold Zehman]

Good Day

I have a relative who lives in the Southeast USA who was ordered to take a polygraph to determine if he might offend in the future.

He was arrested for supposedly molesting his daughter who made up the whole thing due to being disciplined for sneaking out at night and doing other things of an embarassing nature.  Now she is 18 and out of the house.

She recanted her story to the child welfare people as he went out and hired an attorney.  The police and the prosecutor ran from the whole case and dropped it but the Guardian and family non profit support group still want to punish this guy. They came back with a list of 15 relevant questions to be asked in one session.

I guess the case being dropped was not sufficient to satisfy them.  How can you give a polygraph test to predict a person is going to sexually molest or sexually assault someone much less make it a requirement before you can see your other children. 

Responses from actual polygraph examiners conducting sex related exams would be appreciated.

[Anthony R]

Let me weigh in.  First, I am not an attorney, nor a polygraphist or voice stress analyzer.  I am retired from a state children's services department, and have extensive experience working with non-profit contract agencies.  My first question is, why does the non-profit think they have jurisdiction?   Speaking for me, if I were your relative, I would tell the non-profit people to take a long walk on a short pier.  The very last thing I would do is to take a test with 50% accuracy.