Lie Detector Tests for Children
Here are some common reasons a child might be tested:
- Accused or suspected of stealing
- Accused or suspected of Academic Misconduct
- Alleged victim of assault or neglect
- Accused or suspected of assault
- Accused or suspected of sexual assault
- Accused or suspected of drug use
- Accused or suspected of possessing contraband
- Has information relevant to a child custody dispute
MINIMUM AGE FOR TESTING
Each of our Members establishes the minimum age he/she is willing to accept for testing. This minimum age can be found on each testing location page, and usually ranges from 12 to 18. Do not ask your examiner to test a child below the published minimum age, regardless of how “mature” the child acts or appears.
WHY CAN’T A CHILD UNDER 12 BE TESTED?
A polygraph is a psycho-physiological exam. This process requires the person being tested to fully understand the abstract concepts that the examiner will introduce during the interview. The examiner may use words and phrases that are new, or uncomfortable, to a child, which can easily affect the test results. The brain, including its Autonomic and Sympathetic functions and Memory Centers, must be fully developed in order to produce charts of sufficient quality to be useful. The child must also have a firm and established understanding of what is real and what is fiction/fantasy. For example, a child may believe that Santa Claus is real, but that belief does not make it reality.
ONLY SINGLE ISSUE TESTING IS RECOMMENDED
Due to the complex mechanism of multiple-issue testing, we do not recommend testing a child using anything other than a single issue format. The multiple issue format is likely to produce erroneous results in a child. In other words, limit the test to ONE ISSUE ONLY. Do not ask questions where the child could be truthful to one question and not to another, within the same exam.
THE CHILD MUST SIT PERFECTLY STILL
In order to collect the required quantity and quality of charts needed for a reliable decision, the child must sit perfectly still for up to 7 minutes at a time. Other than normal breathing and answering the questions, no other movements are permitted. If the child is unable to follow instructions, the examiner may deem the child “untestable.” If the child is taking any medication, the examiner needs to know about that medication (and what it is taken for) so that appropriate pretest instructions can be provided.
PARENTAL CONSENT REQUIRED
Unless the child has been legally emancipated, your examiner will require written consent from the child’s parent or legal guardian.
CAN A CHILD BE FORCED TO TAKE A POLYGRAPH?
Absolutely not. As with ANY person submitting to a polygraph, the procedure must be voluntary. However, the child may be given a positive inducement to take the exam, such as a promise of reward. Any negative inducement, such as a threat of punishment or removal of privileges, would subvert the process and likely produce unreliable results.
SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
If the issue is whether the child has been sexually assaulted, be aware that some states require this allegation to be reported to authorities (whether true or not). Each individual location page will indicate whether this requirement is in place. In some U.S. States, testing of victims is not permitted under any circumstance.
RELIABILITY OF MEMORY IN A CHILD
Polygraph basically establishes whether a person is intentionally lying about a specific memory (or lack of memory). If the memory itself is in question, the polygraph results will be less than reliable. Children’s memories of events in the past can be (and have been) manipulated, so caution must be taken when inquiring about memories that may have been purposefully or unintentionally introduced to the child.