Polygraph testing

Standards of Practice for Polygraph Examinations

1. Scope
1.1 This guide establishes essential and recommended elements in the procedures for the conduct of a psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examination.
1.1.1 Other unique PDD applications are addressed separately.

2. Location and Test Conditions
2.1 Conditions under which testing occurs shall be free from distractions that would interfere with the ability of the examinee to appropriately focus on the issues being addressed. The examination site should be reasonably free from outside noise and distraction. Examinations for demonstration purposes are excluded from these Standards.

3. Preparation
3.1 No examination shall be conducted unless the functioning of the instrument has been established by the examiner.
3.2 The conduct of a PDD examination should be recorded by audio or audio/visual in its entirety, unless prohibited by law.
3.2.1 All PDD recordings shall be retained and maintained for a minimum of two years.
3.2.2 Recordings shall be continuous and for the entirety of the examinee´s presence in the examination location.
3.2.3 PDD examinations should be conducted utilizing a sensor to monitor body movements.
3.3 An examiner should not conduct PDD examinations for longer than 10 hours on a calendar day.

4. Pretest Practices
4.1 The examiner shall adhere to the following practices:
4.1.1 Obtain the consent of the examinee prior to testing.
4.1.2 The examiner shall ensure that the examinee is a fit subject for testing
4.1.2.1 The examiner shall terminate the examination at any time it becomes apparent to the examiner that the subject is not fit for testing.
4.2 Sufficient time shall be spent to ensure that the examinee understands the polygraph process and that cooperation is required.
4.3 The examiner shall remain objective during the complete process, including reporting
4.4 Examinations practiced in places with codified laws shall be conducted in compliance with those regulations.
4.5 The examiner shall display objectivity.
4.6 Sufficient time shall be employed to discuss the issue or issues tested
4.7 The examinee should be given adequate time to fully explain his or her position.
4.8 The examiner shall formulate all test questions in compliance with recognized professional practices.
4.9 The examiner shall allow sufficient time to introduce each test question to the examinee and make sure that they are fully understood by the examinee.

5. In-test Practices
5.1 Examiners shall use techniques and formats in accordance with the ASTM Standards Practices E1954 and E2031 and Guides E2000, E2065, and E2080, as applicable.
5.2 All test data must be accounted for prior to rendering an opinion.
5.3 A minimum of 3 presentations of the relevant questions have to be met to render an opinion
5.4 Questions shall be asked in such a manner that physiological reactions are not influenced by the examiner’s presentation.
5.5 Question intervals shall allow for a reasonable recovery
5.5.1 Stimulus onset to stimulus onset shall not be less than 20 s.

6. Evaluation Practices
6.1 The examiner shall use evaluation methods for which he or she has been formally trained and that are appropriate to that testing technique.
6.1.1 Acceptable evaluation methods are those which have known error rates established by independent research.
6.2 The examiner shall maintain all records of test data analysis for 5 years or as applicable by law.
6.3 The examiner shall not disclose the results of the examination until the test has been adequately and sufficiently analyzed.
6.3.1 Only suitable physiological data will be evaluated when formulating an opinion.

7. Post-test Practices
7.1 Following collection of all physiological data, a discussion on the findings shall be conducted, as appropriate.