Which of the following is not considered a good procedure regarding the use of the polygraph by investigators?

Which of the following is not considered a good procedure regarding the use of the polygraph by investigators?

• A. Pointing out its effectiveness
• B. Describing it as infallible
• C. Withholding detailed information from the examinee
• D. Telling the examinee how experienced the examiner is

Answer: (B)

Describing the polygraph as infallible is not considered a good procedure because it creates unrealistic expectations about the reliability of the results. The polygraph measures physiological responses thought to be associated with truthfulness or deception, such as heart rate and breathing patterns, but it is not a foolproof tool for determining deception. Overstating its reliability can undermine the integrity of the investigative process and can lead to misinterpretations of the outcomes. In contrast, acknowledging the polygraph's effectiveness in certain contexts while maintaining that it is not guaranteed to be accurate aligns with best practices in investigative procedures. Providing the examinee with information about the examiner's experience and not withholding information fosters transparency and fairness in the process.

Describing the polygraph as infallible is not considered a good procedure because it creates unrealistic expectations about the reliability of the results. The polygraph measures physiological responses thought to be associated with truthfulness or deception, such as heart rate and breathing patterns, but it is not a foolproof tool for determining deception. Overstating its reliability can undermine the integrity of the investigative process and can lead to misinterpretations of the outcomes.

In contrast, acknowledging the polygraph's effectiveness in certain contexts while maintaining that it is not guaranteed to be accurate aligns with best practices in investigative procedures. Providing the examinee with information about the examiner's experience and not withholding information fosters transparency and fairness in the process.