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- #21
Originally posted by Hobbit
First off, the reason truth serum and polygraphs aren't allowed in court right now have nothing to do about self-incrimination. It has everything to do about reliability. The reason prosecutors use them at all is to see if everything's on the level. Sometimes defendants undertake polygraph tests to prove their innocence. That's what we'd use it for.
The fifth ammendment is sacred. If it's violated to convict a guilty person, you can bet it would be violated to convict an innocent person. Leave it where it is.
Originally posted by musicman
I can offer some insight on polygraph testing. Years ago I worked at a place where money was stolen from the office. I was one of a handful of people who were in close proximity at the time, and thus was required to take a polygraph test.
I've never stolen a thing in my life. It's not that I'm Abraham Lincoln-I would just be shit-scared to do it. But after the thief confessed, I was told that I had flunked the test miserably. Apparently, even being asked if I stole the money upset me badly enough to affect the reading.
So I can tell you from personal experience, there's a reason polygraph results are inadmissable in court, and I'm damn glad of it.
I can respect both opinions. I had no idea that poly's and truth serum didn't work well. Both have been around the block for decades. Technology (PC's, Microwaves, Stereo's, Medical gear, Transportation, Weapons, Sensor/Scanner gear, etc) have all gotten better and better in the same amount of time. Cheaper, smaller, more reliable. I assumed that the polygraph and truth drugs had made the same strides. My whole point is premised on the "If I have a near perfect way to find the truth..........."
The fact is that the 5th Amendment is intended to deter the authorities from actual physical and mental abuse of suspects. I thought we'd found a way to get to the truth without resorting to torture.
I still defend the other points of my original post however.
Too bad about Newguy though. I thought we'd had a debate without flaming, idiots, or flaming idiots.