12. Event title:
Polygraph on Trial—should lie detector evidence be admissible in Legal Proceedings in England and Wales?
13. Description of the core message of your event and key topics to be covered (c.100 words):
From a scientific perspective, we will explore the extent to which polygraph evidence is capable of providing a reliable and relevant source of forensic evidence
From the legal point of view, our concern is with the rules of the law of evidence which are commonly believed to limit the admissibility of polygraph evidence in criminal and civil proceedings in England and Wales
A key issue is whether polygraph evidence is sufficiently reliable to justify its admission in evidence alongside other forms of forensic evidence such as fingerprints, footwear impression, and eye witness testimony. Where polygraph evidence has been excluded, this has been on a case by case base, and based on considerations other than reliability
16. How does your event relate to this year's theme of 'Making waves'?:
The area is controversial because currently the domestic courts merely assume that polygraph evidence is inadmissible with little or no analysis, whereas other forms of forensic evidence have been admitted with relatively little scrutiny. The use of polygraph testing has now been sanctioned by Parliament in the context of monitoring sex offenders by the probation service following release from prison.
