Course Duration: 40 hours
Course Description:
Law enforcement polygraph examiners are increasingly employed in Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigations as well as inquiries into other deviant sexual behavior. 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. The Institute of Police Polygraphy brings the latest research-based approach to this challenging and emerging field in a student-friendly, professional training environment. This course is specially designed for those examiners wishing to advance their knowledge and skills in Tactical Polygraph for ICAC Investigations and is open only to law enforcement examiners. This is a certification course and graduates will be designated as Certified Tactical Polygraphers for ICAC Investigations.
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 Tactical Polygraphs derived from the latest research studies and developing trends are presented throughout the course.
Best Techniques for Tactical Polygraph
In keeping with current validity testing, this course segment will explore recommended testing formats for diagnostic and single-issue screening tests as they apply to Tactical Polygraph 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 single-issue testing. The UTAH test structures, question sequences, and scoring protocols are presented and examined.
Problems with Multi-Issue Screening Techniques for Tactical Polygraph
This course segment will explore problems and concerns associated with the use of multi-issue screening formats as they apply to Tactical Polygraph, specifically multiplicity and base-rate errors. 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 previously undisclosed 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 tactical polygraph examinations are covered in some detail. Many of the cases studies feature sex offenders encountered during ICAC investigations.
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 Tactical Polygraph
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 Tactical Polygraph, 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
Sex offenders present unusual challenges to the Tactical Polygraph 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 offender behavior.
Constitutional Issues
This segment provides a solid understanding of the constitutional principles and limitations placed on examiners by the 5th amendment and applicable court rulings, such as Miranda, 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.
Best Practices and Model Policies for Tactical Polygraph
As more and more agencies adopt Tactical Polygraph testing as a critical component of ICAC and sexual offense investigations, a disciplined approach that is empirically-sound, legally-justified, and team-based approach is needed. A best practices approach is presented with guidelines for establishing sound policies and procedures.
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.