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 those examiners wishing to advance their knowledge and skills in Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT) and is open to both private and police examiners.
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 for PCSOT derived from the latest research studies and developing trends are presented throughout the course.
Best Diagnostic Techniques for PCSOT
In keeping with current validity testing, this course segment will explore recommended testing formats for diagnostic tests as they apply to PCSOT, including Instant Offense, Prior Allegation, or Monitoring Exams. 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 for diagnostic testing. The UTAH test structures, question sequences, and scoring protocols are presented and examined.
Best Screening Techniques for PCSOT
This course segment will explore recommended testing formats for screening tests as they apply to PCSOT, including Maintenance and Sexual History Exams. The Directed Lie Screening Test (DLST) has emerged as the format of choice with high confidence intervals and accuracy rates. Plus, it offers some unique advantages for Successive Hurdle testing.
Multiplicity and Base-Rate Errors
Multi-issue screening tests are inherently error-prone due to certain mathematical and statistical characteristics of their structure and administration. PCSOT examiners must be cognizant of these errors, how they impact results, and practical steps that can be taken to minimize their negative effects.
ICAC Investigations and Issues with "Tactical Polygraph"
While not specific to PCSOT, examiners are increasingly employed in Internet Crimes Against Children investigations. The "Tactical Polygraph" approach has emerged as a common practice to identify previously undisclosed victims and build evidentiary cases against those charged with sex offenses. However, problems endemic to this technique can actually hinder, rather than enhance, information gain. A better approach is presented to increase overall information gain, aid in classifying offenders, and enhance efforts to identify victims.
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. Many of the cases studies presented are from actual PCSOT exams.
Updated 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 for PCSOT
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 as applied to PCSOT, plus presents some innovative approaches for structuring and presenting both types of CQs, including the use of "Tiered DLCs" and "Inverse Mind-Maps."
Psychopathology of Sexual Deviancy
Due to their unique pathology, sex offenders present unusual challenges to the PCSOT examiner. Experts in the field will present insights and case studies featuring the psychopathology that drives sexual deviants, sensitizing participants to behavioral clues associated with reoffending behavior.
PCSOT Standards of Practice
The American Polygraph Association recently updated its approved PCSOT Standards of Practice. A review of current standards and how the changes impact PCSOT are explored.
Working with Treatment Providers and Probation Agents
Providing client services to mental health treatment providers and probation agents presents a number of challenges to the PCSOT examiner, particularly if the client is not cognizant of polygraph procedures and limitations. This segment will cover educating the client, providing polygraph services that are helpful to the specific needs/concerns, presenting results, drafting reports, billing, protecting confidentialities and constitutional rights, a team-approach to PCSOT and sex offender monitoring, and communicating with the examinee both pre- and post-test.
Constitutional Issues Related to PCSOT
Some compelling constitutional issues come into play during PCSOT testing that could negatively impact the field of polygraphy, particularly as it relates to PCSOT, as well as infringe on constitutionally protected rights. Although somewhat limited in scope, constitutional protections afforded by the 5th and 6th amendments and court rulings such as Miranda still apply to PCSOT. This segment provides a solid understanding of the constitutional principles and limitations placed on examiners so that their actions will pass court scrutiny.
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.
Sex Offender Case Studies
Throughout the course, case studies will be presented featuring Test Administration, Countermeasure Detection, Forensic Interviewing, Test Data Analysis, and Deviant Sexual Behavior.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the course topics, much of the content is adult-themed featuring bizarre and disturbing behavior that some may find offensive.
Course content and instructors are subject to change.