Assignment:
Polygraph Results
Competencies Addressed in This Assignment
Competency 1: Articulate how the rules of criminal procedure apply to a criminal justice practitioner.
Competency 2: Apply the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments in a criminal justice context.
Competency 3: Communicate effectively in writing.
Overview
Polygraph results fail to conform to the Frye doctrine and are therefore inadmissible as evidence in court. This doctrine, enunciated in Frye v. United States (1923) states that, before the results of scientific tests will be admissible as evidence in a trial, the procedures used must be sufficiently established to have gained general acceptance in the particular field to which they belong. Most courts refuse to admit the results of polygraph (lie detector) tests in civil or criminal proceedings unless admissibility is agreed to by both parties.
Instructions
Polygraph results are frequently used in situations such as pre-employment screening or background tests. Why should these results be excluded from courtrooms?
For this assignment, prepare a three-page memorandum to your supervisor, an attorney, addressing the admissibility of polygraph results.
In your memorandum:
- Analyze the current position of the U.S. Supreme Court with respect to reliability and admissibility of polygraph evidence.
- Determine the potential impact of Frye v. United States on criminal cases.
Be sure to review the Polygraph Results Scoring Guide to ensure you understand the criteria for this assignment.
Requirements
Your memorandum should meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Must be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- References: A minimum of two references.
- APA format: Format resources and citations as per current APA style and formatting guidelines.
- Length of memorandum: Three pages, not including the title page and the references page.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
You are required to submit a draft of your paper to SafeAssign. Once you review your results and make any needed changes, submit your paper for grading.
Note: Your instructor may also use the Writing Feedback Tool to provide feedback on your writing. In the tool, click the linked resources for helpful writing information.
Reference
Harvard Law School. (n.d.). Frye v. United States.