"Polygraph and Lie Detection" (National Academy of Sciences report)

The "Polygraph and Lie Detection" report by the National Academy of Sciences assesses the scientific validity of polygraph tests, which measure physiological responses like heart rate and sweating to detect deceit. It concludes that current evidence does not reliably prove these responses can distinguish truths from lies, and therefore, polygraph results should not be solely used to determine guilt or innocence. While useful in some contexts, the report emphasizes that polygraph testing lacks the accuracy needed for many legal or security decisions. Overall, it calls for stricter scientific standards and further research to improve lie detection methods.