STATEMENT OF THE AMERICAN POLYGRAPH ASSOCIATION PERTAINING TO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (NAS) REPORT ON THE USE OF THE POLYGRAPH:
The American Polygraph Association (APA) recognizes the efforts of such a prestigious body as the National Academy of Sciences in the work performed in exploring questions associated with the detection of deception.
We
wish to note that the APA was not invited to participate in any of the
deliberations, nor consulted to provide responses to many questions raised in
this project. The APA proudly counts
among its membership, well qualified and highly regarded academicians who
routinely conduct and publish research in peer reviewed publications and who
would have eagerly contributed to this project.
Perhaps in a follow-up assessment, the NAS or a similar body will look
to the largest international organization in the detection of deception field
for answers to some of the important questions in such an inquiry.
It
is important that the public be aware that in their published report, the
National Academy of Sciences did not conduct any new or original laboratory or
field research on polygraph testing.
Their effort was confined to a review of the research on polygraph
testing and in particular to that which pertains to personnel screening. In doing so, the academy relied on only 57 of
the more than 1,000 research studies available.
The
NAS panel and the APA recognize that the field of lie detection is a difficult
one to quantify or measure in terms of real world effectiveness. As the NAS so clearly reports, real world
conditions are difficult if not impossible to replicate in a mock crime or
laboratory environment for the purpose of assessing effectiveness.
As
a result, a paradigm for research into the validity and efficacy of lie
detection has always been, at best, a difficult challenge. We further agree that a lack of resources
over the past decades has hampered more meaningful research, particularly in
the security and applicant screening arena.
It
must be addressed; however, that the NAS report does not adequately recognize
the many successes of polygraph in both the criminal specific arena and in
National Security. Polygraph testing
admittedly not perfect, has been and continues to be an extremely valuable
tool. We firmly believe that continued
scientific research will support our position; therefore, we welcome the NAS
recommendation for additional research and greater innovation in the field.
We
agree with the panel?s conclusion that although there may be alternative
techniques to polygraph testing, none of these alternatives outperform, nor do
any of them yet show promise of supplanting the polygraph in the near term.
We
further agree with the NAS finding that expanding research efforts be directed
at detecting and deterring major security threats, including efforts for
improving techniques for security screening.
We believe polygraph testing now provides satisfactory detection and
deterrence, enhanced research efforts; however, will certainly expand our
capacity to improve efforts in those areas.
The APA will continue to conduct and support research within its limited
resources; however, we must look to other sources, perhaps including the
Federal Government to allocate the resources needed to fully accomplish the
specific research challenges offered by the NAS. The APA stands ready and willing to work with
such sources to bring the recommendations of the NAS to fruition.