Michael Shermer tests the Polygraph and Lie Detection Part 2

Can the polygraph machine really scientifically measure if someone is lying, or are all those graphs and numbers just pseudoscience in the service of law enforcement? Can we tell if someone is lying to us by their body language or facial expressions? Michael Shermer puts both the polygraph and lie detection to the test in this dramatic episode that features O.J.'s jury consultant lie detection expert.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Shermer
• Polygraph
• Lie
• Detection
• Lying

[bcbenp44]

It seems like people who has social anxiety give a lot of the same reactions as people who are lying. A person could be telling the truth and be accused of lying simply because they show how uncomfortable they are.

[Zeta9966]

Show me one reasonably real UFO video, and maybe I will believe you. Every single UFO or alien video I've seen is obviously fake. Michael Shermer is a gift to society. I am so tired of people taking everything at face value and just believing it. QUESTION EVERYTHING.

[hungrytomato]

Of course you can get a read off body language. Poker players do it all the time.

[AmphibiousReconMSOB]

what if am paranoid cause I just smoked a blunt with jack and jill

[Atomicslid139]

I can definitely tell all the interviewees are actors. Bad ones too.

[PipeManChuck]

This stuff if total bs. People have different mannerisms accents. Peaple can be right or left handed or ambidextrous. Someone could be nervous, scared, worried, mentally ill and all would give false readings. I've seen this used on mentally ill patients in the corrections field and it's a disaster. If you have a nervous mental ill person in a stressful situation and you question them, you are guaranteed to get all sorts of false results. This is total bs and it doesn't work at all.

[guitarplayer4real]

@ninjajesus81 I agree! Its an assumption based on opinion that I "refuse because I'm guilty", not a fact. Not everyone handles stress the same and many studies have already eliminated the Polygraph as any real source of truth finding. Its the states tool of convenience IMO. I'll never place my well being in the hands of this machine or its operator. I'll take my chances with a good attorney and the truth from that angle. There will always be those who stand by this crackery and those who dont.

[ninjajesus81]

@othewire23 Yeah that was pretty bad lying. Hang gliding? Are you serious? Say bowling or knitting.

Lies are easy to spot when they're that obvious. But if you try to catch someone lying when they just move their legs or shift position in their chair, you're going to accuse a lot of people who are telling the truth.

[ninjajesus81]

@guitarplayer4real The problem with declining to take a polygraph test is that people will the immediately be suspicious. "If he's innocent, why not take the polygraph?" It's a no win situation. I can't believe those things are taken seriously.

[WTCnucleardemolition]

Google "Quadri-Track ZCT"

[guitarplayer4real]

@bcbenp44 My ex wife had PTSD from childhood abuse. She failed 3 polygraph's when her company was investigated for missing monies and law enforcement keyed in on her. Even though her doctor told the state that she could not possibly be a good polygraph candidate, they tested, failed and followed her closely.

Weeks later the real thief was caught and convicted.

Never take a polygraph if you are innocent and they are looking at you. That came straight from an ex DA who was her attorney.

[FederalBureauOfMusic]

@bcbenp44 Well said.