Criminal polygraph examinations, also known as “lie detector tests” are considered useful investigative tools to support criminal investigations. To local police officers and detectives, polygraphs help them eliminate or include criminal suspects in criminal investigations.
For example, if a suspect were to pass a polygraph with “flying colors,” it can help the police rule the suspect out. Conversely, if a suspect fails miserably, it can indicate that he or she may have something to hide.
If a suspect performs poorly on a polygraph, the police can use the results to seek additional information and a confession from the now increasingly suspicious individual. However, polygraph examinations are not foolproof and they don’t perform miracles. Just because someone fails a polygraph, it doesn’t mean the case is a slam-dunk for the prosecution – a lie detector test is no substitution for a full-blown criminal investigation.
How the Polygraph Test Works
According to the Austin Police Department, “the polygraph test uses three types of physiological components that monitor physiological changes; respiratory rate, blood pressure/heart rate and galvanic skin responses.”
“In the state of Texas, polygraph results are not admissible into a court of law; however, if a legally obtained confession is obtained during the course of a post-test interview, the Examiner in some cases will be subpoenaed to testify as to the details of that confession under oath,” says the Austin Police Department.
Should I Take a Lie Detector Test?
As we mentioned above, polygraph examinations are inadmissible in court. If you’re being asked to take a lie detector test, remember, you don’t have to prove your innocence. You are innocent until proven guilty and the police are not on your side.
The police utilize various tools and tactics to get confessions out of suspects, including polygraphs. So, why say “Yes,” when you don’t have to? Our advice is to contact a Plano criminal defense attorney at our firm immediately and STOP talking to the police.