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 Validity & Reliability of Polygraph Testing The American Polygraph Association believes that scientific evidence supports the high validity of polygraph examinations. Thus, such examinations have great probative value and utility for various uses in the criminal justice system. However, a valid examination requires a combination of a properly trained examiner, a polygraph instrument that records as a minimum cardiovascular, respiratory, and electrodermal activity, and the proper administration of an accepted testing procedure and scoring system. The American Polygraph Association has a compendium of research studies available on the validity and reliability of polygraph testing. The 80 research projects listed, published since 1980, involved 6,380 polygraph examinations or sets of charts from examinations. Researchers conducted 12 studies of the validity of field examinations, following 2, 174 field examinations, providing an average accuracy of 98%. Researchers conducted 11 studies involving the reliability of independent analyses of 1,609 sets of charts from field examinations confirmed by independent evidence, providing an average accuracy of 92%. Researchers conducted 41 studies involving the accuracy of 1,787 laboratory simulations of polygraph examinations, producing an average accuracy of 80%. Researchers conducted 16 studies involving the reliability of independent analyses of 810 sets of charts from laboratory simulations producing an average accuracy of 81%. Tables list the authors and years of the research projects, which are identified fully in the References Cited. Surveys and novel methods of testing are also mentioned. Spiral-bound copies of this article may be purchased for $25.00 postpaid from the American Polygraph Association: National Office 951 Eastgate Loop, Suite 800Chattanooga, TN 37411-5608 (423)892-3992 or 1-800-272-8037.
A few words about Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA)- None of the Federal Government's Investigative or Intelligence agencies utililize, or approve of the use of CVSA for truth verification purposes. For more information regarding this, go to the American Polygraph Association's website, which cites published research revealing that CVSA has no established validity nor accuracy for truth verification. Anyone offering this type of truth verification in person, or by phone, cannot produce any scientific evidence to defend their methodology.
Many law enforcement agencies utilize CVSA. The decision to do so, while in many cases intended to lower costs to the taxpayer and make better use of department resources, has been made without a full understanding of the science of forensic psycho-physiology. Civil litigation resulting from such testing, in both pre-employment screening exams and criminal investigations has, all too often, radically increased taxpayer costs.
ABC's Prime Time produced a documentary which aired in 2006 exposing many of the serious failings of Voice
Stress-CVSA, as well as the credibility problems with the man who developed and marketed the device. (click here to see the story)
Polygraph examiners receive extensive training in all that is involved in this science, and therefore recognize the failings of CVSA. Most police administrators were not trained in this highly specialized field, and are therefore unaware of the serious problems with CVSA techniques and testing platforms. CVSA operators receive training lasting approximately 7-10 days, whereas polygraph examiners must attend a minimum of 320 hours at an American Polygraph Association accredited polygraph school for initial training, before beginning their internship. Examiner certification occurs upon successful completion of all training and internship. Continuing education by attendance at advanced polygraph seminars is required for membership with National, and Regional Polygraph Examiner Associations.
Since many law enforcement agencies are using CVSA for pre-employment screening examinations, and criminal investigations, it should give rise to great concern.
Currently, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission will only accept police academy attendees who have passed a truth verification examination administered by a certified polygraph examiner.
Informative CVSA Links- APA info on Computer Voice Stress Analysis- http://www.polygraph.org/section/review-voice-stress-based-technologies-detection-deception
Fraudulent Polygraph Examiners- As with any profession, the polygraph profession too must confront the issue of those who profess themselves to be certified polygraph examiners when they have no valid polygraph training or certification. One of the most prominent examples of this is evident in numerous websites found throughout the internet, and exposed in the following article in 2 parts- http://www.polygraphplace.com/articles/issue138.htm http://www.polygraphplace.com/articles/issue142.htm#4
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