Will Liars Stay Hidden During Coronavirus?
“Kemp claimed that he did not know those asymptomatic people could also spread the disease.”
By Eliza Sanders, Marketing —
In a recent article about the Coronavirus outbreak, it is suggested by a former federal prosecutor, Glenn Kirschner, that Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia should take a polygraph test. The governor has been accused of acting too slowly to impose lockdowns in the state, and some localized outbreaks have occurred, supposedly as a result. In response, Kemp claimed that he did not know those asymptomatic people could also spread the disease. The article affirms that experts, including CDC members headquartered in Georgia, have been warning for months that the disease can be spread by those not exhibiting symptoms.
Lie Detection vs. Polygraph
Despite a strong curiosity to see if the governor is indeed feigning ignorance, I find it interesting that polygraph would be proposed in this situation. Although a well-established form of lie detection today, precautions have been taken by many states and counties to cease all current polygraph testing due to the COVID-19 crisis. It involves many surfaces that are not easily sanitized, coming into contact with the person taking the test. It also requires close proximity (less than 6 feet) by the polygrapher to the examinee during the application of all the sensors and for the duration of the test, which is usually between 3-5 hours long. Such stipulations make it an unsafe option for those desiring a lie detection test in this time of a pandemic.
This is a reality, of course, for many law enforcement officials, probation officers and therapists who have up until now, relied on polygraph for hiring new staff and rehabilitating parolees and sex offenders. To halt, indefinitely, these tests and put them on backlog could end up being catastrophic for these essential entities.
Sanitary Lie Detector
EyeDetect®, a 5-year-old lie detection method, would be ideal to prevent such catastrophes. Researched and pioneered by well-known scientists in the polygraph community, EyeDetect® has been proven to be 86-90% accurate. It uses an eye tracker to measure involuntary responses in the eyes that occur when someone is lying. Administered entirely by computer, a proctor would only need to stand 6 feet away to direct the examinee where to click in order to administer the test to themselves. Then, through electronic means, the proctor could even sit in a different room, and monitor the progression of the test to ensure compliance. Tests last anywhere from 15-30 minutes and the results are scored immediately through a computer algorithm. Even under regular socioeconomic conditions, EyeDetect® could vastly improve the efficiency and success of those groups who rely on lie detection to perform their duties.
So, perhaps those calling for a polygraph for Governor Kemp could claim ignorance of the imprudence of such actions during a coronavirus pandemic. It is still uncertain, however, if the governor himself can claim ignorance of the virus’s contagion. Perhaps we should let the computer look into his eyes, and see if therein, there are sure to be lies.
