The Risk of False Positives With Polygraph Tests

There are very definite ways to generate false negatives with polygraph tests. It's easier to prove someone guilty after they pass a polygraph test than to prove them innocent after failing one. The risk of false atives was great enough that when american employers started routinely using polygraphs back in the 19 seventies and 19 eighties, there was a back lash. congress passed the employee polygraph protection act, and dent ronald regan signed it into law in 19 88.