Course Duration: 40 hours
Course Description:
The Institute of Police Polygraphy brings the latest research-based approach to the challenging and ever-changing field of polygraphy in a student-friendly, professional training environment. This course is specially designed for the examiner with at least one year of field experience. Open to both private and police examiners, students will elect one of two 8-hour educational tracks during the course based on their interests and assignment. See below for details.
Course Topics:
Latest Research and Best Practices
The Institute of Police Polygraphy is devoted to developing and promoting best practices and empirically-based polygraph protocols. To that end, recommended testing methodologies derived from the latest research studies and developing trends are presented throughout the course.
Best Polygraph Techniques for Diagnostic Exams
In keeping with current validity testing, this course segment will explore recommended testing formats for diagnostic tests as they apply to both private and police examiners. The UTAH Zone Comparison Test (3RQ) and the UTAH Modified General Question Test (4RQ/Raskin) formats have emerged as those with the highest confidence intervals and accuracy rates as well as the lowest overall inconclusive and error rates. The UTAH test structures, question sequences, and scoring protocols are presented and examined.
Inductive Interviewing
The greatest information gain is often found in the pre- or post-test interview. In this session, participants will explore a non-linear, non-confrontational approach to forensic interviewing known as the Inductive Interview System™. Rapport-building, identifying word cues, crafting clarification questions, recognizing the 10 Types of Lies, and employing specialized "induction" techniques, including Rationalizations and Minimizations, Presumptive Questions, Guilt Transfers, and Divergences, as they specifically apply to polygraph examinations are covered in some detail. Participants in previous courses often commented on this as the most beneficial topic of the week.
Issues with Statement Verification and Multi-facet Tests
Statement verification and multi-facet tests are frequently employed in criminal/investigative testing. However, research strongly suggests a number of potential problems with their use. This course segment explores concerns regarding these test practices, including the Multi-Facet Hypothesis and non-independency of RQs, and presents alternative test question construction and test administration.
Testing Victims and Witnesses
Polygraphists are often called upon to test victims and witnesses of alleged illegal or inappropriate conduct committed by others. Specific issues relating to the challenges of test question construction when dealing with this class of examinee are explored, including the use of "yes questions" for the RQs.
Statement Analysis
Written statements often provide clues to deception and offer valuable intel for the polygrapher in advance of the test. Word cues, grammar choices, and statement construction that give the polygraphist needed insight are presented and explored.
ESS-M Test Data Analysis
The Empirical Scoring System - Multinomial has distinguished itself as the best of the various polygraph scoring systems in terms of criterion accuracy, ease of use, objectivity, and inter-rater reliability. However, many polygraphists are unfamiliar with ESS-M scoring protocols or have misapplied them in actual scoring. Accepted scoring methodologies and feature extraction, including Respiration Line Excursion and Vasomotor Measurement, are covered. Students also participate in a number of TDA scoring exercises from actual case studies.
PLCs v. DLCs: Advantages and Disadvantages
Both Probable Lie Comparison questions and Directed Lie Comparison questions play important roles in the field of polygraphy. The scientific/analytical theory of the polygraph is based on differential salience associated with the CQs. This segment explores the pros and cons of both PLCs and DLCs, plus presents some innovative approaches for structuring and presenting both types of CQs, including the use of "Tiered DLCs" and "Inverse Mind-Maps."
Countermeasure Detection and Prevention
With the advent of the internet and unscrupulous practices by other examiners, the use of countermeasures is of increasing concern for the polygraphist. Specific "counter-countermeasure" techniques can minimize the risk of counter-measures, enhance identification, and discourage their use. Pros and cons associated with when and how to confront the examinee when countermeasures are suspected are also covered in this session, along with case study examples.
Working with Attorneys
Providing polygraph services to attorneys presents a number of challenges to the private examiner, particularly if the attorney is not cognizant of polygraph procedures and limitations. This segment will cover educating the attorney, providing polygraph services that are helpful to the case, presenting results, drafting reports, billing, protecting attorney-client privileges, a team-approach to attorney testing, marketing polygraph services to attorneys, and communicating with the examinee both pre- and post-test.
Structuring Your Business
Choosing a business entity structure for liability reduction, risk management, asset protection, and strategic planning are all critical business practices. Presented by a business professional, this session presents the advantages and disadvantages of various business structures and provides a needed framework for building a first-class and successful private polygraph business.
Building a Strategic Vision
Lack of vision leads to poor execution. Staying focused on the goal through good times and bad is an essential element for long-term success. Establishing, implementing, and articulating a clear strategic vision for your company is a key leadership function that is often neglected.
Accounting and Tax Strategies
Financial issues are an all-too-common reason for business failure. Profitability depends on revenue generation, cost management, loss prevention, accounting practices, and effective tax and regulatory strategies. This session covers common errors and failures, deducting expenses, bookkeeping, separation of funds, and the basics of business management for establishing and maintaining financial success.
Best Business Practices
Being good at what you do is not enough for business success. This session presents the essentials of sound business practices including marketing strategies, working standards, measuring results, managing change, and ethical decision-making.
Case Studies
Throughout the course, polygraph case studies will be presented featuring Test Administration, Countermeasure Detection, Forensic Interviewing, and Test Data Analysis.
NOTE:
Course content is subject to change based on instructor availability and student preferences.