SYSK Selects: How Lie Detectors Work

This episode dives into the fascinating and controversial history of polygraph machines, starting with their invention in the 1920s by a Berkeley cop who used one to solve the first crime ever solved with a lie detector. Josh and Chuck explore how these devices actually work—measuring breathing, heart rate, and sweating—and explain why calling them "lie detectors" drives everyone in the field absolutely crazy since they can't actually detect lies, only physiological responses to stress. The guys break down how polygraphs are administered, their many flaws and false positives, why the federal government is both the biggest user and opponent of them in court, and what newer technologies like brain imaging might eventually replace them.