Advocates and polygraph examiners expand partnership

The Ukrainian National Bar Association and the National Association of Polygraph Examiners of Ukraine have signed a Memorandum of cooperation. The document aims to strengthen cooperation between specialists in the field of legal aid and forensic psychological research using polygraphs.

The Memorandum was signed by the president of the UNBA, BCU Lidiya Izovitova and the president of the NAPE Volodymyr Vedmid.

The document provides for the implementation of joint activities, including conferences, round tables, seminars, and training programs dedicated to polygraph and legal practice. The parties also agreed to exchange scientific information, prepare joint publications, and provide practical support within their competence.

Within the framework of the memorandum, the parties may involve other institutions, organizations, and experts in the cooperation, as well as create temporary working groups.

Coordination of cooperation on the part of the UNBA will be carried out by the Committee on expert support for advocate activity.

«The signing of the Memorandum with the Ukrainian National Bar Association is a strategic decision for the development of polygraphology as a tool for legal protection. We are convinced that the combination of the professional experience of advocates and our scientific and practical achievements will become an effective mechanism for the protection of human rights and will contribute to increasing public confidence in justice», - commented V. Vedmid.

«The purpose of this memorandum is primarily to provide professional information and education in the field of polygraph use in the context of legal practice. We realize that the results of polygraph testing are not in themselves evidence in criminal proceedings. But the polygraph can be a valuable tool for us in forming a defense position, verifying a client's internal statements, assessing the reliability of the information provided, or general case tactics, - noted L. Izovitova. - Therefore, within the framework of cooperation with the NAPE, we plan to conduct educational events for advocates, prepare practical materials and explanations to ensure a correct understanding of the potential and limits of this useful tool. This is not about replacing evidence, but about strengthening the advocate's toolkit when it comes to psychologically or emotionally complex cases».

The NAPE and the UNBA confirmed their readiness for systematic cooperation and determined that a detailed plan for the implementation of joint activities will be developed in the near future.