Analyzing Witness Reliability
Evaluating witness statements requires more than just polygraph results. The investigator notes raise important questions about who had classes with Anna, recent suspicious activities, and alibis during the critical timeframe.
Taylor Diaz's extreme polygraph results might be explained by the trauma of discovering Anna's body rather than guilt. Meanwhile, Sam Greene emerges as a person requiring closer investigation due to her recent argument with Anna over a soccer game, giving her a fresher motive than Dominique's scholarship competition.
When evaluating polygraph data, remember that these tests aren't admissible in court. They're merely investigative tools that record physical changes in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, skin conductivity, and perspiration. The baseline is established through simple "control questions" before moving to case-relevant inquiries.
Pro Tip: When analyzing polygraph charts, always check the y-axis scaling, as it varies between subjects and can make reactions appear more or less dramatic than they actually are!
Potential signs of deception include heart and respiratory rates higher or lower than the subject's baseline, but these aren't definitive proof of lying—just indicators that warrant further investigation.