The question of the polygraph?

[pathfinder73]

Common sense and seeing the bigger picture take flight if there is the slightest chance of being able to excoriate Madeleine McCann's parents.

Why is no-one getting agitated that people who have been designated arguidos (remembering that the change in Portuguese law demands there must be evidence to allow this) have not been given the 'opportunity' to take a polygraph test. 

Just another example of futile McCann bashing and the fact it keeps on being resurrected on fora is a measure of the desperation that a misguided eight year vilification campaign has been stripped bare and is being shown in its true light.

There is no common sense in this case. It started with an unlocked apartment, the twins not waking up, a neat and tidy bed and tampering with the crime scene before the police arrived. Then the next day the police couldn't find phone call history on their mobiles.

[stephen25000]

Where did I suggest use in isolation?  The fact remains that there is no objective proof of effectiveness, and they remain inadmissible in European courts. 

What the McCanns spokesman said was not unreasonable -that they would be prepared to take a polygraph test if it was requested by the Portuguese authorities.  No such request has been made. End of story.

This thread seems to be more about Tricias polygraph man throwing a hissy fit that the McCanns would not accede to his demands.

It seems more the other way around. With the mccanns well known arrogance in trying to stipulate the parameters of any testing procedure.

[Carana]

They're admissible as court evidence in the US though? Courts in the US seem to have a far more brutal deliverance of justice imo! Far more lengthy prison sentences, 3 hits and you are out, death penalty etc...

I don't blame the McCann's in this instance. Their spokesman clearly says a polygraph asked for by the PJ. This guy administers polygraphs on Trisha(maybe he's good, but maybe he's another opportunist who crawled out the woodwork) and anyone would want to be reassured as to their reliability. Whole topic looks like a press created drama imo.

That's my impression as well. If it had been simply a gesture of assistance, it could have been done quietly.

[Jean-Pierre]

It seems more the other way around. With the mccanns well known arrogance in trying to stipulate the parameters of any testing procedure.

That the test be requested by the Portuguese authorities?  Sounds pretty reasonable to me. 

You seem to be very easily seduced by Don Cargill talking up his own book. 

[G-Unit]

It seems to me this story hit the papers because a) the McCanns authorised someone to tell the papers they would take a polygraph if the PJ wanted them to do it. b) The newspaper made the 'source' quote up to sell newspapers. Both are possible in my opinion.

Either way, the result was that someone offered to do a test, which the McCanns refused. I don't  blame them for refusing whether they have anything to hide or not because the test isn't conclusive by any means.

The result was that regardless of how the story began, it ended by doing them harm. If they started the story it backfired. If they didn't they should have challenged the newspaper as to the source of the story and shown that it never originated with them.

[stephen25000]

That the test be requested by the Portuguese authorities?  Sounds pretty reasonable to me. 

You seem to be very easily seduced by Don Cargill talking up his own book.

You mean just like the mccanns did with their book, and the serialization in the sun, with the delightful accompanying headlines ?

[mercury]

Lie detector tests are not reliable. They can seem so after the fact, if the results match other evidence/confessions but not of themselves.

Many a criminal has passed with flyng colours, likewise, many innocent people have failed them or were found to be inconclusive. TBH I'm not sure why they are used at all, given that.

[Mr Gray]

It seems to me this story hit the papers because a) the McCanns authorised someone to tell the papers they would take a polygraph if the PJ wanted them to do it. b) The newspaper made the 'source' quote up to sell newspapers. Both are possible in my opinion.

Either way, the result was that someone offered to do a test, which the McCanns refused. I don't  blame them for refusing whether they have anything to hide or not because the test isn't conclusive by any means.

The result was that regardless of how the story began, it ended by doing them harm. If they started the story it backfired. If they didn't they should have challenged the newspaper as to the source of the story and shown that it never originated with them.

I very much doubt that's the way it happened

[G-Unit]

I very much doubt that's the way it happened

either 'the source' quoted was real or it wasn't, unless you have an alternative suggestion?

[Mr Gray]

either 'the source' quoted was real or it wasn't, unless you have an alternative suggestion?

Depends on the context

[pathfinder73]

Lie detector tests are not reliable. They can seem so after the fact, if the results match other evidence/confessions but not of themselves.

Many a criminal has passed with flyng colours, likewise, many innocent people have failed them or were found to be inconclusive. TBH I'm not sure why they are used at all, given that.

They are used because the majority of liars are scared of them and will fail.

[Alice Purjorick]

but it's not our opinions that count..it's the court's.....which accept neither...that is a fact...which 100% supports my argument

I was merely passing comment.
I don't recall making any comment about polygraphs being acceptable in court so what was the point of your post?
I would be surprised indeed if any argument you put forward was not 100% supported by something or other.

[Mr Gray]

I was merely passing comment.
I don't recall making any comment about polygraphs being acceptable in court so what was the point of your post?
I would be surprised indeed if any argument you put forward was not 100% supported by something or other.

The only accurate part of your post is" I don't recall"

[Eleanor]

Polygraphs are not acceptable in European Courts, so absolutely no point in doing them.

Do one, don't do one.  All sensationalism.  Fail it and you're screwed.  Pass it and you are good liar.  And these things should never be done under stress or duress, simply to please the masses.

[pathfinder73]

Polygraphs are not acceptable in European Courts, so absolutely no point in doing them.

Do one, don't do one.  All sensationalism.  Fail it and you're screwed.  Pass it and you are good liar.  And these things should never be done under stress or duress, simply to please the masses.

At least Adrian Prout didn't take your advice or they wouldn't have found Kate's body. He would still be lying saying he's innocent.