Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 1987)
Editorial Polygraph tests not reliable evidence The Oregon Supreme Court should be commended for its decision to ban testimony gained from use of a polygraph machine in criminal trials. The lie detector tests are not a reliable source of information and can lead to incorrect decisions. The court ruled that results of the tests cannot be admit ted as evidence even if the prosecutor and the accused agree to their use The decision stated the risk of potential misuse was high as well as a jury relying heavily on the results. Polygraph machines chart a person’s physical reactions to a series of questions. To this extent, they are vulnerable to the subject’s control of his or her emotions. An article in Psychology Today described the machines not as lie detec tors. but as anxiety detectors. “It does not detect lies, only fear, anxiety or anger associated with a question or an answer.” the article said. If a person is able to remain calm during the questioning the results can be interpreted differently. It also is possible to trick the machine by creating undue stress while answer ing the control question. The control question is a simple question such as "What is your name?" used to determine a lie or the truth. Interpreters then use the control question as a basis for judging answers to the remaining questions. A common method subjects may use to trick the machine is to put a tack in their shoes. By rubbing their toes over the tack while answering the control question it creates and abnormal stress level and distorts the interpretation of the test. Nonetheless, some claim the tests are up to 90 percent accurate. Dr Stanley Abrams, a polygraph operator and psychologist in Portland, disagreed with the court’s deci sion. He told the Oregonian that because of their accuracy polygraph test results should be admitted. “A person being accused should have the right to defend himself with any scientific means.” he said. But polygraphs can hardly be called scientific. The results of a test are very subjective and not only rely on how calm the subject is. but also on the person interpreting the chart. Lincoln Zonn. who runs a Florida school for polygraphers, likened the polygraph to an X-ray. "The X-ray doesn't lie. It just depends on who reads it." he told Psychology Today. The relativity of test results is further proven by studies that show varying accuracy rates, l^xmard Saxe, an assistant professor of psychology at Boston University, reported ac curacy rates ranging from 64 percent to 98 percent in six research reviews. Because the accuracy of a lie detector test is so indistinguishable, the results cannot be accepted as facts. Unfortunately, many juries do not understand this, or it is not explained to them, and it can harm the outcome of a trial. "Of greater concern even than the possibility of undue delay (of a trial) is the potential for misuse and overvaluation of the polygraph evidence by the jury." fustice J.R. Camp bell wrote in the majority opinion. The Oregon Supreme Court made a valid decision Tues day. A person has the right to defend himself, but it should not be under false pretenses. ' THBrWITA. .MAINSTREAM NOMINEE TO TOE SUPREME COURT, EH? ,1 w Letters End in action Wars don't end with words — they end with aclion. If the government intends to win the war against AIDS, its officials must enter the sordid world of heroin shooting galleries Television and newspaper advertisements won't capture an impoverished audience. The gay community has been thoroughly educating itself on the dangers of and protections from AIDS Consequently, the rate of new AIDS infections among the high-risk group has dropped dramatically. intravenous drug users art* another story. As a whole, the group lacks much formal educa tion and needs to be persuaded to discontinue Us high-risk behavior A high-tech media campaign isn’t going to work last's face it. very few IV drug users are in dulging in liquid sky at the din ner table while watching Dan Rather or reading the Los Angeles Times If the government is to suc ceed in an anti-AIDS project, its going to have to get its hands dirty. Government represent atives must be willing to enter back alley ways and climb rot Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald It published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacation* by the Oregon Dally Emerald Publishing Co . at the University of Oregon. Eugene. Oregon. 97403 The Emerald operates independently ot the University with office* on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and i* a member of the Associated Press The Emerald is private property The unlawful removal or use of paper* i* prosecutable by taw General Staff Advertising Director Susan Theien Production Manager Michele Rosa Classified Manager Kelli Mason Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Setae: Tan Boring. Gary Del ossa. Tom Leech. Cat hen ne Lilia. Rick Marti. Laura McKinney. Heather Mull. Joann Nelson. Julie Paul. Barbara Rogers. Scott Thorkiidson. Joan Wiidermufh New* and Editorial BSS-SStt Display Advertising and Busin*** 6M3712 Classified Advertising W IH3 Latter Perfect Graphics MS-SSt t Production MB4M1 Circulation MS-SSt t Editor Stanley Nelson Managing Editor Scott Maben New* Editor Eden God bey Editorial Page Editor* Angela Muniz Steven Hoemsch Sports Editor Aaron Knox Photo Editor Shu Shmg Chan Graphic Design Editor Lorraine Rath Special Issues Editor Kelly Kortekaas Entertainment'Sport* Segment Editor HC Hutto Night Editor Carolyn Lam person AatocMi Editor* Community Stephen Maher Higher Education Administration Michael Drummond Student Government Activities Carolyn Lam Person General Assignment/ Entertainment Will Holbert Reporter*: Betsy Clayton. Paula Green. Frale de Guxman. Craig Ham*. Gary Henley. Andrew LaMar. Jett Morgan. In gnd Petersen. Camt Swanson. Kelvin Wee Photographers: Shertyn BtorSgren. Maria Corvallis. Andy Crtpe. Dusty Etrel. Darrel Hewitt. John Giustina. Bobbie Lo. Ros* Martin. Andre Ramen, Oan Wheeler. Michael Wilhelm Production: Sandra Oalier / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandre. Ronwtn Nicole Ashton. Virginia Bantaga. Laura Carhart. Ellen Cross. Eva Cohan. Stephanie Dry nan, Dotorea Ferreo. Shannon Gaither. Lisa Haggerty. Stephanie Holland, Deirdre Kelly. Eliot Knight. Chris Knox. Jung La*. Bobbie Lo. Ross Martin. Jamaa Mason. Angle Muniz. Tad Shaplaf. Linda Spading. Lisa Svanevlk. Ingrid White. Mika Wilhelm. Kelly Williams. Sarena Williams. X Kang Xle ted stairwells. That's where the target audience gets its next fix. Michael P. O'Connor journalism Criticism I'm going to take this oppor tunity to respond to Blake Sliter's letter (ODE. Oct 14). Blake, granted, you do have a right to express your views in this public forum And granted, at times then; an; situations at the University that merit criticism. I applaud your exer cising you rights; most people don't. I have found some of your let ters amusing and some annoy ing And I have both agreed and disagreed with your viewpoints. But I have to. at this point, clarify something. I don't cant a bit about the petty Creek/non Greek rivalry. I don't take part in the rampant, uninformed criticism directed at both sides; I leave that to others. But your latest letter is, in my opinion, sick and as written, unnessesary. You complain of social inhumanity and bar barianism and then suggest as solutions examples of each So Blake, if you are going to criticize, use your ability to do so But don't become the same Letters Policy The Emerald will at tempt to print all letters containing fair comment on topics of interest to the University community. letters to the editor must be limited to 250 words, typed, signed and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is turned in. The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length or style. Letters to the editor should be turned into the Emerald office. Suite 200. EMU. kind of hypocrite you’ve accus ed others of being. I’d like to see space in the Emerald used in a thoughtful, constructive manner, rather than for vicious ventings of anger. This is my personal view, and I'd appreciate that it be taken as the constructive criticism that it is meant to be. Michael Dunn Senior Grow up l-ast spring. University Vice President for Administration Dan Williams urged a group of students to raise the level of campus dialouge to a more mature and meaningful level He reminded us that the University student body has a tradition of student involve ment which has engendered many valuable.additions to the local and national social and political delrate. Many of this fall's initial spate of letters to the Emerald have convinced me that we have a long way to go in this area Rather than battle over relatively unimportant issues which have no significance beyond the boundaries of this institution (the Greek/non Creek fracas, for example), we iu»ed to recognize that we are the inheritors of a society filled with problems and oppor tunities. in the midst of massive social change, which is ex tremely influential among the nations of the earth Recognizing this, let's take some responsibility for our position — and grow up a little bit. 1 would hope that our generation could defy the “yup pie" label placed on us and distinguish ourselves by our compassion and concern for others. I realize that these are lofty ideals, but they art* attainable. We do. however, have a long way to go. Randy MacDonald Political science
