Polygraph test results not legal evidence in civil action: top procuratorate

BEIJING -- The results of polygraph tests shall not be legal evidence in the handling of civil cases, according to a regulation issued by the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) on Aug 14.

The document, which aims to regulate commissioned authentications in civil actions, says that the authentication fees involved in public interest litigations can be deferred.

Parties meeting the conditions for legal aid can also apply for deferred payment or reduction of authentication fees, according to the regulation.

Authentication institutions and authenticators with illegal behaviors, including issuing false authentications, delaying authentication without justified reasons and charging illegal fees, shall be punished and blacklisted, according to the regulation.