You can and should refuse. These "tests" have no scientific basis. In the context of criminal investigations, they typically serve as little more than a pretext for interrogating a suspect without a lawyer present, as the suspect is falsely led to believe that (s)he is simply submitting to a scientific test for truth.



In this regard, it is worth noting that Charles Humble, the man behind the most commonly used voice stress analyzer -- like several poobahs of the polygraph community -- has falsely passed himself off as a Ph.D. in marketing his services.







The fact that police have asked you to submit to such a bogus test is a strong indication that you are considered a suspect in the case. Sometimes, people who handle cash falsely report robberies and take the money themselves, or willingly hand cash to a partner who stages a robbery.



I think it would be prudent to seek legal counsel and not submit to further questioning without your lawyer present. If you feel the need to explain your decision to refuse the "test," you can state that you've learned that it's junk science. Feel free to refer any who question your judgment to this website.



If you need help finding a criminal defense attorney near you, Martindale's free Lawyer Locator service may be helpful:



http://www.martindale.com

The police cannot force you to submit to a voice stress analysis "test," or to any lie detector test of any kind.These "tests" have no scientific basis. In the context of criminal investigations, they typically serve as little more than a pretext for interrogating a suspect without a lawyer present, as the suspect is falsely led to believe that (s)he is simply submitting to a scientific test for truth.In this regard, it is worth noting that Charles Humble, the man behind the most commonly used voice stress analyzer -- like several poobahs of the polygraph community -- has falsely passed himself off as a Ph.D. in marketing his services. Watch this ABC News exposé:The fact that police have asked you to submit to such a bogus test is a strong indication that you are considered a suspect in the case. Sometimes, people who handle cash falsely report robberies and take the money themselves, or willingly hand cash to a partner who stages a robbery.I think it would be prudent to seek legal counsel andsubmit to further questioning without your lawyer present. If you feel the need to explain your decision to refuse the "test," you can state that you've learned that it's junk science. Feel free to refer any who question your judgment to this website.If you need help finding a criminal defense attorney near you, Martindale's free Lawyer Locator service may be helpful: