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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Donald Grubin
Background Polygraphy is used increasingly in the treatment and supervision of sex offenders, but little research has addressed its accuracy in this setting, or linked accuracy with utility Aims To investigate the utility and accuracy of polygraphy in post-conviction testing of community-based sex offenders. Method A self- report measure examined the experiences of offenders with polygraphy. Results Based on self- report, the polygraph's accuracy was approximately 85%. False negatives and false positives were not associated with demographic characteristics, personality variables or IQ.The majority of offenders found the polygraph to be helpful in both treatment and supervision. Nine per cent of offenders claimed to have made false disclosures; these individuals had higher scores on ratings of neuroticism and lower scores on ratings of conscientiousness. Conclusions These results support the view that the polygraph is both accurate and useful in the treatment and supervision of sex offenders. Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.
Author(s): Grubin D, Madsen L
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Journal of Psychiatry
Year: 2006
Volume: 188
Pages: 479-483
ISSN (print): 0007-1250
ISSN (electronic): 1472-1465
Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.105.008953
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.105.008953
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