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
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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
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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