How Can Lie To Me Be Used In Forensic Psychology

1969 Words8 Pages

Lie to Me was a crime drama series that aired from 2009-2011 (2009) and is currently on the streaming service Hulu. This crime drama involves psychologists Dr. Cal Lightman and Dr. Gillian Foster. They focus on micro expressions that is based on the science from Paul Eckman. The content of this analysis will focus on Season 1 episode 2 titled Moral Waiver. Throughout this episode assessments, polygraph tests, rape allegations, and ethics are used to illustrate how these aspects can be used in forensic psychology. In the beginning of this episode, Homeland security is testing a handheld polygraph machine in an interrogation room. They wanted Dr. Lightman to test out the device and for him to give his input on the device given his knowledge …show more content…

Lightman and Torres realizes that Private Rebecca Metz went AWOL after serving with Sergeant Scott and her transfer request was denied. Dr. Lightman and Torres travel to Baltimore she has family and finds Metz has been living with her grandfather. She reveals she was the real rape victim. Specialist Lake told the story of the rape to get Sergeant Scott arrested. De Zutter et al., 2017, explains the main reasons why an individual would lie about rape. One of the main reasons is revenge. In this episode, it can be argued that Specialist Lake was lying about the rape for revenge because she was angry at Sergeant Scott for raping Private Metz and wanted him to be arrested for it, so she claimed that she was raped instead. The role of a forensic psychologist would be able to analyze Sheila Lake’s story and Private Metz’s story to be able to understand who was truly raped and why Specialist Lake lied. This is also a prime example of ethics that took place in this …show more content…

Forensic psychologists will help create a criminal profile through the use of interviews and assessments to understand the victim or the possible offender. This allows for a better understanding of the individual and for the offender to be brought to justice (Godwin et al., 2001). Courts have relied on forensic assessments of offenders or witnesses in order to make sound decisions (Nicholson & Norwood, 2000). Overall, this episode was able to demonstrate the flaws of polygraphs, illustrate an interview, and depict a false rape allegation despite the reasoning behind the action. Forensic psychologists play a role in the criminal justice to reach an end goal and was demonstrated in this episode of Lie to