LIE DETECTOR TESTS

Aug. 26, 2019

Gokulnath Shetty – the retired deputy manager of PNB involved in PNB scam – refused to give his consent to CBI to conduct polygraph and narcoanalysis tests on him by citing a Supreme Court judgment that makes it mandatory to obtain the consent of the accused for such tests.

About:

In 'Lie Detector Tests', several instruments are used in the course of these examinations to put a person in a hypnotic state to 'reduce' their ability to lie or manipulate.
Polygraph Test:
- A polygraph test is based on the assumption that physiological responses that are triggered when a person is lying are different from what they would be otherwise.
- Sensitive electrodes are attached to the person, and variables such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration etc., are measured as questions are put to them.
Narcoanalysis: Narcoanalysis, by contrast, involves the injection of a drug, sodium pentothal, which induces a hypnotic or sedated state in which the subject’s imagination is neutralised, and they are expected to divulge true information.

Are the tests effective?

Investigating agencies are employing these tests in investigation, and are sometimes seen as being a “softer alternative” to torture or ‘third degree’ to extract the truth from suspects.
However, neither method has been proven scientifically to have a 100% success rate, and remain contentious in the medical field as well.

Source : Indian Express