This research study provides a historical orientation of the development of polygraphy in the United States of America and then focuses on the development of the local South African polygraph industry and its utilisation by the private sector and various government institutions. The historical orientation and contextualisation of polygraphy is based on information accessed through the electronic medium, acknowledged polygraph publications and first-hand information collected from individuals in the local polygraph fraternity. The phases of the polygraph testing process, types of polygraph examinations and the various testing formats are defined, as well as the role of polygraphy to screen personnel and investigate crime. Aspects such as the polygraph training, the local polygraph associations and the legal status of polygraphy in terms of South African law are examined. The study explores the South African polygraph fraternity in general, but focussed in detail on the activities of polygraphists and polygraph companies operating in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The utilisation and development of polygraphy in the Limpopo Province, as well as various operational issues are explored as a case study. The role of polygraph testing to screen staff and to prevent crime in the workplace, as well as its role as an invaluable tool to investigate crime and resolve disputes by clients in the Limpopo Province, are examined. One thousand polygraph examinations were analysed for this purpose, to gain a unique and novel insight into the circumstances, challenges and operational obstacles faced by polygraphists in the Limpopo Province. While this analysis did not provide groundbreaking scientific findings, it did provide new insight into the types of crimes committed, the industries targeted by criminals, the profile of examinees tested, and the nature and scope of the polygraph-testing requirements in the province. The potential for expanding the polygraph industry in the Limpopo Province is also considered. In conclusion, recommendations are made for the statutory regulation of the polygraph industry in South Africa, to ensure that ethical, operational and training standards are upheld. The importance of consolidating the local polygraph fraternity under one umbrella, in order to challenge and dispel uninformed opinions and myths concerning the use of polygraph testing, is also stresses. A proposal is also made concerning the indigenisation of current polygraph practises and polygraph training, to meet the unique conditions of Southern African. / Criminology and Security Science / (M.Tech) (Security management)

This research study provides a historical orientation of the development of polygraphy in the United States of America and then focuses on the development of the local South African polygraph industry and its utilisation by the private sector and various government institutions. The historical orientation and contextualisation of polygraphy is based on information accessed through the electronic medium, acknowledged polygraph publications and first-hand information collected from individuals in the local polygraph fraternity. The phases of the polygraph testing process, types of polygraph examinations and the various testing formats are defined, as well as the role of polygraphy to screen personnel and investigate crime. Aspects such as the polygraph training, the local polygraph associations and the legal status of polygraphy in terms of South African law are examined. The study explores the South African polygraph fraternity in general, but focussed in detail on the activities of polygraphists and polygraph companies operating in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The utilisation and development of polygraphy in the Limpopo Province, as well as various operational issues are explored as a case study. The role of polygraph testing to screen staff and to prevent crime in the workplace, as well as its role as an invaluable tool to investigate crime and resolve disputes by clients in the Limpopo Province, are examined. One thousand polygraph examinations were analysed for this purpose, to gain a unique and novel insight into the circumstances, challenges and operational obstacles faced by polygraphists in the Limpopo Province. While this analysis did not provide groundbreaking scientific findings, it did provide new insight into the types of crimes committed, the industries targeted by criminals, the profile of examinees tested, and the nature and scope of the polygraph-testing requirements in the province. The potential for expanding the polygraph industry in the Limpopo Province is also considered. In conclusion, recommendations are made for the statutory regulation of the polygraph industry in South Africa, to ensure that ethical, operational and training standards are upheld. The importance of consolidating the local polygraph fraternity under one umbrella, in order to challenge and dispel uninformed opinions and myths concerning the use of polygraph testing, is also stresses. A proposal is also made concerning the indigenisation of current polygraph practises and polygraph training, to meet the unique conditions of Southern African. / Criminology and Security Science / (M.Tech) (Security management)

No abstract available / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Mercantile Law / unrestricted

In spite of the SAPS having a dedicated polygraph capacity since 1998, little research has been conducted with regard to the use of the polygraph in criminal investigations. Consequently, the aim of this research was to focus on the perceptions and experiences of investigators in the SAPS regarding the application of polygraph testing in criminal investigations, the application of the polygraph as an investigative aid, the extent to which it is used by SAPS investigators to resolve criminal cases opened by the general public and/or in internal departmental criminal investigations; and whether or not it has helped to solve cases by giving direction and/or focus to the investigator when an investigation is at an impasse. A qualitative research approach was conducted among investigators within the SAPS. The research design selected for this study was grounded theory. The sample consisted of twenty investigators, ten of whom had previously used polygraph examinations in their investigations and ten of whom had not. Data was collected from interviews, document analysis, field notes and memoranda which presented and detailed the perceptions and experiences of investigators in the SAPS regarding the application of polygraph tests in criminal investigations. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

This dissertation, which is both exploratory and descriptive in nature, initially describes the development of the polygraph against a background of understanding society's rejection of the lying phenomenon. The theoretical foundations of polygraph thinking are then presented as forerunner to practical illustration of polygraph use in the private sector. The criminal justice system represents the sphere of polygraph ulitization central to the research. With strong American accent, polygraph use in all four components of the system is described in such a manner so as to provoke thought on the part of criminal justice functionaries as to polygraph possibilities in the execution of their functions. Research findings and recommendations aimed at stimulating thought and improvement in the field of polygraphy conclude the dissertation. / Criminology / M.A (Penology)

This dissertation, which is both exploratory and descriptive in nature, initially describes the development of the polygraph against a background of understanding society's rejection of the lying phenomenon. The theoretical foundations of polygraph thinking are then presented as forerunner to practical illustration of polygraph use in the private sector. The criminal justice system represents the sphere of polygraph ulitization central to the research. With strong American accent, polygraph use in all four components of the system is described in such a manner so as to provoke thought on the part of criminal justice functionaries as to polygraph possibilities in the execution of their functions. Research findings and recommendations aimed at stimulating thought and improvement in the field of polygraphy conclude the dissertation. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A (Penology)

Controversy continues over the use of polygraph testing to deter and detect potential leakers as critics argue that the technique is based on faulty assumptions. The purpose of this descriptive and exploratory research study was to determine whether there was a perceived deterrence effect related to the use of polygraphs between a group of participants who were subjected to a polygraph examination within the past year compared to those who have not experienced a polygraph examination within the same time period. Paternoster and Simpson's, as well as Vance and Siponen's, rational choice models and Bandura's social learning theory served as the theoretical foundation for this study. Specifically, this study assessed groups' perceptions about adhering to security regulations if a polygraph is required, changes in their behavior and attitude, and beliefs about polygraph deterrent effect. Data were obtained through a 15-minute researcher- created survey with a cluster sample of 326 participants. Data were analyzed with a t test to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the groups. A factor analysis was also conducted. Results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference (p < .001) between the groups, suggesting that participants perceive a deterrent effect associated with the use of polygraphs as well as a change of behavior and attitude if a polygraph can be randomly administered at work. The implications for positive social change stemming from this study include recommendations to the nation's national security agencies to continue enforcing the polygraph examinations required of certain security personnel and exploring the possibility of expanding the use of such strategies in order to fortify the national intelligence infrastructure.

Zugl.: Frankfurt (Oder), Europa-Univ., Diss., 2009

1 Die Kurzfassung Diese Diplomarbeit befasst sich mit der Taktik der Überwindung der erlogenen Aussage bei der Vernehmung. Sie konzertiert sich in diesem Kontext auf ein Paar Themen, die unmittelbar vernehmende sind. Besonders handelt es sich um die Vorbereitung und den Verlauf der Vernehmung. Die Diplomarbeit befasst sich auch mit den Personen, die die andere vernehmen, oder die vernehmen wird. Bei den vernehmenden Personen konzentriert sich die Diplomarbeit hauptsächlich auf die Beschuldigte und die Zeugen, bei denen ein hohes Risiko sein kann, dass sie mit einer potenziellen Motivation lügenhaft aussagen können. Das Ziel der Arbeit ist, den Querschnitt durch die bisherigen Erkenntnisse über die erlogene Aussage bei der Vernehmung zu machen. Besonders wenn es sich um die Indikatoren und die nachfolgende Methodik handelt, die eine Anleitung sein können, um eine erlogene Aussage bei den konkreten Typen der Menschen zu überwinden. Am Schluss der Arbeit wird es sich auch mit physischdetektiven Untersuchungen befasst. Ein Teil der Arbeit sind auch die Ergebnisse der gegenwärtigen polizeilichen Praxis.

While confessions are a powerful form of evidence, innocent people sometimes confess to crimes they did not commit. Many researchers have studied false confessions through laboratory experiments with university students or by focusing on proven cases of false confession. These approaches have led many researchers to form a conceptual framework that law enforcement interrogative methods are a key cause of false confessions. A gap exists in the literature as few researchers have queried law enforcement about false confessions or consulted with officers who specialize in interrogation. For this study, a qualitative case study approach was used to explore the experiences of 13 federal law enforcement polygraph examiners who specialize in interrogation. Telephone interviews were conducted regarding their approach to criminal interrogation, their experiences with false confessions, and the circumstances when false confessions were elicited. NVivo software was used to organize the data. Common themes in interview responses were identified and reduced to a simplified format that could be understood in the context of the research questions. The themes identified that participants conduct themselves professionally, they treat criminal subjects respectfully, they avoid unethical interrogative practices, and false confessions result from individual subject characteristics and police misconduct. No participants reported eliciting a false confession. These findings suggest that false confession researchers may have a biased view of how law enforcement officers interrogate due to their overreliance on laboratory experimentation and their focus on false confession cases. This study promotes positive social change by increasing truthful confessions, decreasing false confessions, and providing a more accurate view of what occurs during real world criminal interrogations.