Case Studies in the Utility of the Polygraph

The purpose of this presentation is to provide examples of how the polygraph can be used to work more effectively with sexual offenders. The authors describe that the polygraph can offer opportunities to understand the thoughts and behaviours of sex offenders in ways that can inform issues central to the individual's probation or parole conditions. The various case examples used explore multidisciplinary work with the assistance of a polygraphist to, for example, address 'amnesic', as well as more subtle levels of denial, to obtain information associated with additional past offending as well as future risk. They report on an initially challenging offender who, subsequent to making disclosures, reported the belief that this technology was useful for him as a deterrent to engaging in future risky behaviour. The presentation concludes with reflections on these case examples in the monitoring, treating and assessing of sex offenders within the broader context of offender management, rehabilitation, and public protection.