Thesis (M. A.)--Roger Williams University, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Oct. 29, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 49 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-45).

Thesis of (M.A.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on August 31, 2009). "Fall, 2009." At head of title: University of Alberta. A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduates Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, Department of Sociology, University of Alberta. Includes bibliographical references.

The idea that psychopaths may be able to "beat" a standard polygraph ("lie detector") test remains a controversial issue. The one published study to date that has addressed this question directly (Raskin & Hare, 1978) has been challenged on the grounds that: 1) the polygraph testing situation lacked a 'realistic threat component, and 2) the examiner's decisions were not based on blind chart analyses (Lykken, 1978). The present study re-assessed the accuracy of the polygraph with psychopaths using a revised procedure, in response to Lykken's criticisms. Subjects were 24 psychopathic and 24 nonpsychopathic male prison inmates (aged 18-54) selected on the basis of psychopathy checklist scores (Hare, 1980) and DSM-III ratings within each diagnostic sample, equal groups of "guilty" and "innocent" subjects were tested regarding their involvement in a mock theft by experienced professional polygraphers using control question procedures. Methodological innovations included: a) a "group contingency threat" manipulation which produced a realistic motivational; atmosphere for the polygraph test, b) simultaneous recordings of physiological activity on field and laboratory polygraph instruments, and c) blind numerical analyses of the field polygraph charts. Consistent with Raskin and Hare's results, the guilty psychopaths in the present study were detected just as easily as the guilty nonpsychopaths, and the majority of guilty subjects (87%, excluding inconclusives ) were correctly identified, even when the decisions were based on blind chart analyses. However in contrast to Raskin and Hare's 91% accuracy figure for innocent subjects, the overall hit rate for innocent subjects in the present study was only 56%. Quantitative analyses of the laboratory polygraph recordings revealed few meaningful differences between psychopaths and nonpsychopaths, and the results for guilty and innocent subjects closely matched those obtained with the field polygraph. The findings were discussed in terms of their implications for the field validity of the control question test and the responsivity of psychopaths to threat. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Abstract in English and Afrikaans / This study has a twofold purpose in that it attempts to identify how knowledgeable investigators are about the collection and use of DNA in relation to the building of a criminal case, and to establish how optimally DNA as evidence is utilised. The study has revealed several shortcomings which render the use of DNA evidence inadmissible in criminal proceedings. The researcher also analysed other aspects relating to DNA evidence, namely: identification, individualisation, criminal investigation, forensic investigation, and objectives of criminal investigation. For criminal investigators to be successful in their investigation of cases involving DNA, it is imperative for them to have a clear understanding of the basic concepts surrounding DNA investigations and the value of DNA evidence. It is submitted that, because of a lack of knowledge in DNA-related investigations by detectives, a lack of training in DNA-related cases and delays in the collection of DNA evidence, valuable evidence is often lost and/or contaminated. This causes such evidence to become inadmissible in criminal proceedings, and has a negative impact on the conviction rate for such crimes. / Hierdie studie het ’n tweevoudige doel in die poging om te identifiseer hoe kundig ondersoekers is aangaande die insameling en gebruik van DNA in terme van die bou van ’n kriminele saak en die vasstel van hoe DNA optimal [sic] as bewys gebruik kan word. Die studie het getoon dat daar verskeie tekortkominge is wat teweeg gebring het dat die gebruik van DNA bewys onaanvaarbaar was in kriminele prosedure. Die navorser het ook ander aspekte geanaliseer aangaande DNA bewyse, naamlik: identifikasie, individualisering van onderwerpe tydens ondersoek, kriminele ondersoek, forensiese ondersoek, en die aspekte van kri-minele ondersoeke. Vir die kriminele ondersoekers om suksesvol te wees in hulle ondersoek van sake waarby DNA betrokke is, is dit vir hulle van kardinale belang om ’n suiwere begrip van die basiese konsep rondom DNA ondersoeke en die waarde van DNA bewyse te hê. Dit is voortgebring dat, as gevolg van die tekort aan kennis in DNA ondersoeke, asook opleiding van DNA-sake by die speurders, en vertraging in die versameling van DNA bewysstukke, waardevolle bewyse is telkens verlore of gekontamineer. Dit veroorsaak dat sulke bewyse verwerp word in kriminele prosesse, en het ’n negatiewe impak op die vonnis statestieke [sic] vir sulke misdade. / Criminology and Security Science / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

This project constitutes an instructional unit for honors biology that involves the use of science in the field of criminal investigation and forensics. Before beginning the unit, the learners should have mastered basic laboratory skills, including use of the microscope. They should also have an understanding of the basic structure and function of DNA and its role in heredity and protein synthesis. The standard time frame is 24 days with 70-minute periods, but can be easily adjusted to meet classroom needs. Several instructional strategies enhance student learning and make science fun. The unit is inquiry-driven and activity-based. Students are surprised by the crime, gather and analyze evidence, and work towards proposing an explanation. This real world problem involves the use of cooperative learning and a variety of assessment techniques.

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

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)

The study evaluated the questions used in a polygraph test. It focused on criminal investigative tests (also referred to as “criminal specific tests”), those tests conducted when a criminal offence has been committed and the in-test phase questions (those test questions asked to address what is under investigation). To conduct a successful criminal investigative polygraph test, it is important that polygraphists be familiar with the types of questions used in a polygraph test and how they should be formulated for more effective outcomes. The recognition of these questions and how they are formulated is of utmost importance as it determines the success of the criminal investigative polygraph test. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)