Japan’s Experience in Conducting Psychophysiological Studies Using a Polygraph

Abstract

The article presents a theoretical analysis of the accumulated experience in the area of scientific substantiation and practical use of psychophysiological research on the use of a polygraph in Japan. This country ranks the second after the United States in terms of annual surveys using polygraph. In addition, Japan is the first country in the world that achieved a qualitative legal settlement of the use of such studies results in criminal investigations and litigation. The paper highlights the key aspects of legislative activity and develops the nation-wide standards for polygraph research in Japan. In particular, the «Polygraph Examination Guideline» has been analyzed and the main provisions of this document (requirements to the physical condition of  the subject under study, the conditions for the research carrying out, test formats, requirements for technical devices, etc.) are highlighted. In addition, some of the key rulings of the Japan Supreme Court regarding the permission of using a polygraph in legal proceedings and the provisions of the Articles of the Criminal Procedure Code of Japan, which appealed to the court when making such rulings, were considered. Also, the process of organizing and conducting psychophysiological study using a polygraph in law enforcement agencies of Japan is considered in the paper. Grate attention is paid to the coverage of the nationwide education system, which provides the appropriate qualifications and professional level of Japanese polygraph examiners. In particular, a formalized and unified training system has been introduced in Japan, based on proven scientific regulations. It includes basic training, multi-level advanced training courses, as well as the active participation of polygraph examiners in conducting fundamental and applied researches in the field of instrumental methods for detecting concealed information.