Racial biases in polygraphs and their legal implications

IF 21.4 1区 心理学 Q1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES
Freya Whittaker, Angelica DeFalco, Steven M. Sanders, Emily R. Perkins, Keanan J. Joyner, Daniel E. Bradford
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Abstract

Widely used in research since the 1800s, SCR (also known as the galvanic skin response or electrodermal activity) measures changes in the electrical conductivity of the skin due to sweat gland activity. SCR has historically been considered a ‘gold standard’ for the objective biological measurement of fear and anxiety. However, myriad emotional, cognitive and physical factors can influence sweating and thereby SCR magnitude, which demonstrates it indexes general arousal. Individuals may exhibit increased SCR when stressed (for example, being deceptive or simply attempting to understand a difficult question) or for reasons unrelated to stress (for example, positive emotions such as happiness or non-emotional processes such as focusing attention4). As such, SCR has inherently poor specificity and discriminant validity as a measure of anxiety5.

Since the 1920s, SCR has been a major component of polygraph testing, which has entrenched it in the criminal legal system4. Currently, polygraph examinations remain controversial owing to concerns about reliability and validity. Although judges have substantial discretion over whether polygraph results can be presented to the jury6, about half of US states still allow polygraph evidence with stipulated agreement by both the defence and prosecution before administering the test. Furthermore, polygraph examinations are also widely accepted as evidence in criminal cases across Europe, in civil cases in China and for all cases in Colombia6. Polygraphs are also used at earlier stages of law enforcement to verify witness statements and to justify further interrogation of suspects6, and at later stages to track progress under court supervision (for example, monitoring of individuals convicted of a sexual offence).

测谎仪中的种族偏见及其法律影响
自 19 世纪以来,SCR(也称为皮肤电反应或皮肤电活动)被广泛应用于研究中,它测量的是由于汗腺活动引起的皮肤电导率变化。SCR 一直被认为是对恐惧和焦虑进行客观生物测量的 "黄金标准"。然而,无数的情绪、认知和生理因素都会影响出汗,从而影响 SCR 的大小,这表明 SCR 是一般唤醒的指标。个人可能会在紧张时(例如,被欺骗或只是试图理解一个困难的问题)或出于与紧张无关的原因(例如,快乐等积极情绪或集中注意力等非情绪过程4)表现出 SCR 增加。自二十世纪二十年代以来,SCR 一直是测谎仪测试的主要组成部分,这使其在刑事法律系统中根深蒂固4。目前,由于对可靠性和有效性的担忧,测谎仪检查仍存在争议。尽管法官对能否向陪审团提交测谎结果有很大的自由裁量权6 ,但美国仍有约一半的州允许在实施测试前经辩方和控方同意后使用测谎证据。此外,在欧洲各国的刑事案件、中国的民事案件以及哥伦比亚的所有案件中,测谎仪检查也被广泛接受为证据6。测谎仪还用于执法的早期阶段,以核实证人证词并证明进一步审问嫌疑人是合理的6,并用于后期阶段,以跟踪法院监督下的进展情况(例如,对被判性犯罪的个人进行监督)。
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来源期刊
Nature Human Behaviour
Nature Human Behaviour Psychology-Social Psychology
CiteScore
36.80
自引率
1.00%
发文量
227
期刊介绍: Nature Human Behaviour is a journal that focuses on publishing research of outstanding significance into any aspect of human behavior.The research can cover various areas such as psychological, biological, and social bases of human behavior.It also includes the study of origins, development, and disorders related to human behavior.The primary aim of the journal is to increase the visibility of research in the field and enhance its societal reach and impact.
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