Would you take a polygraph? Should you?
- By Website Editor
- •
- 14 Jan, 2020
Veteran polygraph examiner Jay Cherry joins the CrowdSolve lineup
Imagine, if you will, a scenario: your next door neighbor is murdered. You had dinner at their house the night before and may have been the last person to see them alive, but you did not commit the crime. Would you take a polygraph?
Many true crime fans have strong opinions on polygraphs. Some believe polygraphs aren’t admissible in court so they’re useless. Others believe taking a polygraph can only help make your case if you are truly innocent. True Crime Garage’s Captain has famously said several times “If you pass a polygraph, people will say ‘Big deal, anyone can pass a polygraph.’ If you fail, even if it’s not admissible, people automatically assume you’re guilty.”
All of these beliefs and attitudes are true. But they’re also false. Polygraph examiner Jay Cherry explains that the myths and misconceptions we believe about polygraph exams are often founded in nothing more than police procedural television shows and outdated movie tropes.
“It’s a myth that polygraph results are not admissible in court,” Cherry says. “They are admissible in some states. In other states they’re admissible if both the prosecution and defense agree to enter them into evidence. Mostly, polygraphs are used as an investigative tool to narrow down the pool of viable suspects. If someone passes a polygraph, investigators will certainly move them down the list of possibilities, but won’t take them off entirely.”
Cherry owns and operates Eagle Eye Polygraph, LLC out of Batavia, IL along with his wife Kathleen, but he earned his investigative bona fides as an FBI agent. He retired from the FBI as a Special Agent after 21 years of service. During the last eight years of his career, he trained at the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute (DoDPI), which is now known as the National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA).
Cherry will join the lineup of renowned experts who will speak at CrowdSolve in Chicago, IL this February. He will give attendees a crash course in polygraph administration and interpretation. He will also dispel many polygraph myths to assist attendees as they re-investigate the mysterious 1981 death of 17-year-old Kurt Sova from Newburgh Heights, OH. After his presentation, CrowdSolve Investigators (attendees) will put their new knowledge to the test as they review polygraph results from a person of interest in the Sova case.
“Maybe the biggest myth is that sociopaths can beat a polygraph because they don’t experience emotions the way others do,” explains Cherry. “They still have physiological reactions. They know they’re lying, they just don’t care about the results or the overall outcome.”
This touches on another surprising aspect of polygraph examination: the job is almost entirely based on psychology rather than statement interpretation. On top of that, the examiner must know how to use anticountermeasures (how to foil subjects who try to beat the test), interrogation techniques, and physiology.
Of course, CrowdSolve Investigators can’t squeeze decades of training and experience into one afternoon, but Cherry will provide a foundation of knowledge that will help attendees know what to look for when examining the polygraph results from the Sova case file. “We’ll start with the basics,” he says. “I’ll address some of the myths. We’ll talk a bit about the instruments used and the physiological activity that we monitor. Then I’ll show some charts as examples and talk about how to interpret the results.”
CrimeCon Returns to London on 7th and 8th June 2025: A Must-Attend Event for True Crime Enthusiasts
Exciting news for true crime aficionados – CrimeCon is making its much-anticipated return to London on 7th and 8th June 2025! As the biggest UK event for those with a passion for the true crime genre, this is an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of crime, justice, and investigation, all set in the heart of the UK capital.
CrimeCon UK has built a reputation as the ultimate true crime experience, where enthusiasts, experts, educators and professionals come together to explore high-profile cases, delve into forensic science, and hear from those at the forefront of criminal investigation. 2025 promises to be the best event yet - being more captivating than ever before.
What to Expect at CrimeCon 2025
Building on the enormous success of past years, CrimeCon London 2025 will once again offer attendees exclusive access to leading criminal experts, investigative journalists, detectives, and true crime content creators. With a packed schedule of live panels, interactive discussions, and real-life case studies, this year's event is guaranteed to leave attendees with insights into some of the most talked-about cases and topical true crime themes. Not only this, CrimeCon UK puts victims and advocacy for justice at the heart of the event - making sure that CrimeCon is a platform for every story that needs to be told.
Here's a glimpse of what awaits attendees at CrimeCon 2025:
- Exclusive Interviews and Case Debriefs: Hear directly from those involved in some of the UK’s most intriguing and infamous criminal cases, hearing from those that were directly impacted by criminality.
- Meet Your Favorite True Crime Content Creators: The digital world has revolutionised the true crime genre, and CrimeCon will be bringing top content creators together to discuss their platforms, methods, and deep dives into unsolved mysteries.
- Interactive Exhibits and Forensic Workshops: Put your sleuthing skills to the test as you take part in immersive activities, which have, in the past, included forensic analysis and criminal profiling.
- Q&A Sessions with Experts: Get the chance to ask burning questions to investigators, criminologists, and legal professionals.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you're a die-hard true crime fan, a criminal justice professional, or just someone curious about the world of crime-solving, CrimeCon is perfect for you. The event brings together a diverse community of people who share a passion for exploring the darker side of humanity while discussing critical issues of justice and victim advocacy.
For those already familiar with popular crime podcasts, books, and documentaries, this is your chance to engage with the experts and learn more about the complexities behind these stories. CrimeCon offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.
Secure Your Spot
Tickets for CrimeCon London 2025 are expected to sell out fast, so be sure to grab yours soon. Various ticket packages are be available, offering different levels of access, from basic admission to VIP and Platinum experiences, where you can enjoy perks such as exclusive sessions with speakers, early access to certain events and enhanced event benefits.
To find out more and to book your tickets, click here. Don't miss out on being part of the most thrilling true crime event of the year!
Now is your chance to ensure your favourite true crime content from 2023 is recognised in the TCAs!
VIEWERS' CHOICE: Whether it's your favourite series, documentary film or influencer - make sure you submit your thoughts on your favourite on-screen true crime content today! Remember - only content released in 2023 is eligible and will be counted.
LISTENERS' CHOICE: All True Crime podcasts (that released content that is available in the UK during 2023) are eligible to be nominated so be sure that your go-to true crime podcast is recognised!
READERS' CHOICE:
Which true crime book caught your attention in 2023? As long as it was first published last year then it's eligible to be nominated, so cast your vote today!
Voting is now open and closes on 31st March 2024.
Those with the most votes will be recognised and awarded at the True Crime Awards which is scheduled to take place on 25th April 2024.
SERIES 5 EPISODE 2
AVAILABLE NOW
Damian Barr is joined by Shetland and Vera author Ann Cleeves to discuss her new novel, The Raging Storm. Lauren Lyle, star of the series Karen Pirie, reveals how she brings the Val McDermid character to life, and, on the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh talks about the ITV crime series and his latest novel, The Long Knives. True crime podcasters (and our very own Nancy Baughen) rate Truman Capote classic In Cold Blood, and crime readers at the Shetland Noir Festival in Lerwick recommend their favourite reads.
If you'd like to catch up and watch this incredible episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, click here.
