The Utility of Post-Conviction Polygraph Testing Among Sexual Offenders. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elliott, Elizabeth; Vollm, Birgit
• Is Part Of: Sexual abuse. Volume 30:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 367
• Page End: 392
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: sexual offender assessment -- polygraph -- risk assessment -- disclosure -- recidivism; Sex offenders -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Sex offenders -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.8583
• DOI: 10.1177/1079063216667922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-0632

Abstract

It is often difficult to ascertain the true extent and nature of sexually deviant behavior, as much relies on self-report or historic information. The polygraph has been proposed as a useful tool in the treatment and supervision of sex offenders. The current review aims to provide a coherent, objective, and recent synthesis of evaluation studies exploring the utility of the post-conviction polygraph (PCSOT) in the treatment and management of sexual offenders. This was assessed based on offense recidivism rates and disclosure; self-reported utility was also considered. Nineteen studies were identified from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands with no randomized controlled trials identified. Overall, there was a significant increase in relevant disclosures associated with the polygraph. The impact on reoffending rates was significant for violent but not sexual offenses. A number of methodological factors introduced the potential for bias in a significant number of studies reviewed in this review.