By now, most of chicago should be familiar with Area 2 and the John Burge. In case you aren’t, a timeline can be found here.

Part of the area that I cover is Area 2. I have never had a problem with anything i’ve gotten from Area 2 except for today. As I am preparing for an evaluation I have to do at 4, I notice that my client* has had a polygraph exam. Yes, as in Lie-Detector test. The kid is 13.

The use of Polygraphy is not uncommon with juveniles. In fact, Polygraphy is used in my field POST-conviction, as a behavior tool to check for deception: While it is not admissible in court, it can help people like me see if my clients are in compliance with their probation order. The tests are administered by well trained examiners who are supposed to follow strict ethical guidelines. One has to be certified to do Post-Conviction Polygraphs. Despite it’s use as a tool, I can’t think of a single kid in my Department who is monitored by polygraph exam on a regular basis–it is extremely expensive.

To have a kid who has not been CONVICTED of a crime screened with this tool just screams shady. To have it come from Area 2 makes me very, very worried. I’ll keep investigating, and if anything turns up, I’ll be sure to post it here.

Footnote, and edits, after the jump.

Technorati Tags: Government, Juvenile Justice, News, Polygraph, Probation

*In case anyone forgets, I work with juvenile who have been adjudicated delinquent of a sexual offense.

Update #1: As it happens, it is NOT illegal to give a 13 year old a lie detector test per se, however, it is against policy and procedures. The only reason why a kid this young is given a polygraph is to force a confession–which is something that CPD isn’t supposed to do either–but considering the amount of physical evidence in this case, a confession is not necessary.