Author/Editor     Selič, Polona; Juratovec, Andrej
Title     The role of forensic psychophysiology in the pre-trial review in Slovenia
Type     članek
Source     Polygraph
Vol. and No.     Letnik 33, št. 1
Publication year     2004
Volume     str. 37-47
Language     eng
Abstract     With the use of the polygraph device, forensic psychophysiologists examine the veracity of suspects statements, as specified in Article 54 of the Police Act. A highly professional and more systematic use of the polygraph method in the investigation of criminal offences with elements of violence (murder and attempted murder, armed robbery, rape, sex-related violence, child abuse) has in the four year span from 1997 to 2000 proved to be exceptionally efficient, especially in cases where material evidence or traces were scare, in cases of incorrectly constructed versions, too superfluous data collection, and too great a time lapse from the time of the act. Past use of the polygraph method in criminal police investigations was, to a greater or lasser extent, burdened by inadequate and poorly argued decisions, which resulted in the depreciation of the exceptional orientational and informational value of polygraph examination results and professional psychophysiology. Years of ignorance have devalued polygraph examination in criminal practice to the level of an "acquired skill", which is probably the reason for some recent considerations and doubts about the necessity, significance, and role of this supportive investigation method in criminal investigation practice. On the other hand, "modern" forensic psychophysiology has proved itself invaluable in the pre-trial procedure in many criminal investigations of which have captured public interest. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors     CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY
CRIME
LIE DETECTION