The Place of Polygraph in Iran’s Criminal Evidence System

Abstract

In recent years, utilizing polygraph technology has drawn the attention of some legal systems in the world. However, some individuals have refused to accept it by arguing that using this technology is in conflict with the defendant's right to remain silent, which violates human dignity and interferes with people's privacy. Despite the proposed disadvantages and the existing challenges in this area, polygraphs can be regarded as scientific evidence to prove the culpability or innocence of the defendant, and by amending the law, it can be considered as another legal evidence to prove a criminal case. In addition, by taking into account the system of spiritual reasons, the legal authorities operate actively in obtaining legal evidence and use whatever reason that makes them certain about a case (even if they contradict legal evidence) and bases their decision-making process on such evidence. Polygraph results can serve as supporting evidence or substantial evidence to offer a judge the necessary information to issue the right verdict, and thus, by evaluating other proofs, it can determine their precision and validity to systematize them to help the judicial authorities with making the right decision.

Keywords

• polygraph
• scientific evidence
• judge’s knowledge
• conscience satisfaction of a judge