Crossword Genius

Criminal trio elected — would have failed this test? (3,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lie detector

'would have failed this test?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'criminal trio elected' is the wordplay.
'criminal' is an anagram indicator.
'trio'+'elected'='trioelected'
'trioelected' is an anagram of 'LIE-DETECTOR'.

(Other definitions for lie detector that I've seen before include "Device helping find truth" , "this could indicate a crime" , "Forensic equipment" , "It may check someone's veracity" , "way to discover fiction" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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