Polygraph is Trending
John Augustus Larson invented the polygraph machine in 1921, although the concept of measuring a person’s physiological responses to determine if they are lying dates back many centuries before this. While the technology has been around for decades, the world seems to just be discovering the technology for the first time. In the last 12 months, it’s estimated that over 2.5 million tests have been administered in the U.S. alone, over 70% of which by the U.S. government.
Why The Boom?
Why has the technology, which has a well-known spotty accuracy record, suddenly taken off? One answer is that the world is less honest than it used to be and people have an acute need to determine what is true and what is not. Most of us are aware that particular segments of society are notoriously dishonest (see government and politics). Ironically, it’s the group that is most dishonest with its citizens that uses the most polygraph to make sure the people working for it are honest! Now that’s ironic!
Another reason for the dramatic uptake in usage might be the expanded availability of the equipment necessary to conduct the tests. Increased computing power and inexpensive monitoring equipment make testing possible for much smaller groups and organizations.
Challenges With Current Technology
It is well known that lie detection technology has been less than perfect. The National Academy of Sciences conducted a study that concluded that “while polygraphs can discriminate between truth and lies at rates ‘well above chance,’ they remain ‘well below perfection. In many cases independent researchers suggest that the accuracy “in the field” might be as low as 60% to 70%.
These challenges make it possible for people to “game” the technology. Practiced behaviors, such as breathing, relaxation, and other response patterns can “fool” the technology.
New Tech is Here
New technologies are erupting in the field of lie detection! The combination of Artificial Intelligence coupled with advances in neuro psychiatry have created solutions that are achieving accuracy rates far above traditional polygraph. Not only are they more accurate, but they are significantly easier to administer and take than traditional polygraph. Whereas polygraph requires a test taker to be hooked up to monitors for blood pressure, respiration, perspiration, and other bodily functions, new technologies are monitoring brain activity as indicated by eye responses and other measures.
How the New Stuff Works
New lie detection technologies work by measuring the cognitive load on the brain exerted when a person lies. We know by FMRI scanning that lying requires a heavier cognitive load than telling the truth. This brain response to lying impacts a person’s eyes in an autonomic (uncontrollable) way. Measuring these responses when the person is telling the truth and then comparing them to the answers on the topic questions creates strong evidence of whether that person is telling the truth or not.
Big Advantages
Because the new technology measures eye responses, there is no need to hook the test taker up to numerous other monitors. Because the system does not measure responses that are influenced by nervousness or stress, these issues do not cloud the results and reduce the accuracy of the test.
Also, because the only necessary technology to interface with the test taker is a high quality camera to take the 5,000 pictures of the eyes and face during a test, the test can be taken using the 4k camera on the back of most mobile phones. Some find this hard to believe, but the quality of the cameras on most people’s mobile phones are many times better than the very best cameras created only a few years ago. The ability to create high quality images of the eyes are what make it possible to measure people’s responses relative to a baseline of truth.
These new technologies also make it possible to conduct a test within 15-20 minutes, unlike the hours that a polygraph would take. A test taker can download a test on the app and within 15-20 minutes finish the test and within another 15-20 minutes can have the results.
Limitations of the New Technology
No lie detection technology is 100% accurate, including these new technologies. Although the new technologies, especially Ocular Motor Deception technology, are significantly more accurate than polygraph (OMD technology is between 89-94% accurate while the accuracy of polygraph depends on the quality of the human examiner and can range from 65-80%), there is still a margin for error. These new technologies should continue to be used as a single data point that assists in the decision making process to determine truth or deception and not as the only source.
The Big Takeaway
In a world where truth is increasingly difficult to find, we believe that new truth verification technologies are critical to helping us make informed decisions in our lives. The impact of deception are destructive and painful. Separation, broken relationships, poverty, anger, lack of trust, and stagnation are just a few of the many results of deception. Truth, on the other hand, allows us to make decisions and move forward in our lives with confidence and transparency.
Want to Know More?
Email us at answers@eyecanknow.com to find a test provider near you. Or, head over to www.eyecanknow.com to learn about OMD and create a test for yourself or someone you know needs the truth.