Scientific Theory and Scientific Evidence: An Analysis of Lie-Detection

IN an age of technology, there is bound to be increasing interest in testing and laboratory methods, so-called "scientific evidence." These techniques promise a number of advantages, especially for criminal investigations and trials, not the least of which is the elimination of human bias. A finger print identifies more objectively than an eye witness. Similarly, percentage of alcohol in the blood as an indicator of whether a man is "under the influence" is less susceptible to distortion than the judgment of a policeman observing behavior in the station house. Techniques such as these can certainly be useful. Simply because a method claims to be "scientific," however, it should not be accepted uncritically.