title: Memory instructions, vocalization, mock crimes, and concealed information tests with a polygraph.
abstract: Accuracy rates with polygraphs using concealed information tests (CITs) depend on memory for crime details. Some participants read instructions on murdering a dummy victim that specified exact crime details asked on the subsequent CIT. Others read instructions not stating details, but still requiring interaction with the exact same details for the crime. For example, the murder weapon was under four heavy boxes. Instructions stated either "... remove the 4 boxes ..." or "... remove the boxes ..." Thus, each group removed four boxes, but only one group was primed with the number "4" beforehand. In addition, the victim unexpectedly shouted at some participants during the crime. An innocent group was not exposed to either manipulation. Memory, detection scores, and detection rates were lower for guilty participants not primed with details. Sound affected detection scores but not memory, and there was no interaction between the two factors. Information tests are limited by how crime information is received.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 5050, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L 4L5 Canada. Bradley@UNBSJ.ca
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cullen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001143:Arousal; D003463:Cues; D008192:Deception; D006167:Guilt; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008014:Lie Detection; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D013067:Speech Perception; D055815:Young Adult