admissibility of polygraph results

[JaneS]

I'm looking for info on the admissibility of polygraph tests in child sex abuse investigations.  If a alleged abuser "passes" a polygraph test in South Carolina or Maryland , is that enough to close an investigation?  I couldn't find any specific information on evidentiary standards in any of the state codes.

Please help.  A child is being abused by a step-grandparent and the abuser is getting away with it.  The mom can't even get anyone from law enforcement or social services to investigate now that this polygraph test has been done.

Thanks

Jane S

[George W. Maschke]

Admissibility only becomes a consideration once a case is brought before a court. Although polygraph "evidence" is generally held to be inadmissible in criminal cases, that unfortunately doesn't stop investigators from relying on such unreliable indicators as polygraph results in making such decisions as whether to proceed with or close out an investigation.