This book develops a sociological account of lie detection practices. Bringing together social history, socio-legal studies and science and technology studies (STS), it explores how torture and technology have been used to try to discern the truth.

1. Torture, Technology and Truth 2. Truth and Lies from Torture to Technology 3. The Polygraph Machine in the United States Criminal Courts 4. The Exclusionary Toolbox 5. Polygraph Uncertainties in the Law 6. Polygraph Interrogations 7. Subjects of Suspicion 8. Lying

Andrew Balmer is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Manchester. He is a member of the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives.