The polygraph, also called the lie detector, has a colorful and
controversial past in the United States. This device was first
created in the late nineteenth century. The modern adaptation is
an electromechanical device that is attached to an individual’s
body during an interview or questioning session. Many in the
scientific community have rejected the polygraph device as
pseudoscience (method claiming to be scientific but fails to
adhere to appropriate scientific methods or lacks evidence).
However, some countries continue to use the polygraph as a tool
for interrogation. Polygraphs in General The polygraph is a
device that measures and records several physical markers, such
as blood pressure, pulse, perspiration, and breathing rhythms.
These physical responses are measured while the individual is
asked questions. The reasoning is that lies or any deception
produce physical responses that are different from the responses
produced when answering truthfully. Today, the polygraph is a
subject of ongoing contro