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Exploration into the Effect of Race on Polygraph Scores and Decisions

NCJ Number
208415
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 234-239
Author(s)
Donald J. Krapohl; William B. Gary Jr.
Date Published
2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed cardiovascular and other polygraph channels to verify a 1998 research assertion that race influences the profile of response patterns in polygraph testing, specifically in cardiovascular recordings.
Abstract
In the field of psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD), the influence of race on physiological responding is an important question. In 1998, a research study contended that cardiovascular reactions of African-Americans were generally greater and more valid and reliable than those of Whites. This study analyzed Arther's (1998) assertion that there are racial differences in polygraph using the polygraph case database of the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute (DODPI). Multiple analyses were made of the cardiovascular and other polygraph channels using polygraph charts from confirmed deceptive field cases. The analysis found that deceptive African-American and Caucasian males did not respond differently on the polygraph from members of the other race. The data did not support the 1998 study of racial differences in cardiovascular responsiveness, at least with deceptive African-American and White males. References