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Effects of Polygraph Chart Interpreter Experience on Psychophysiological Detection of Deception

NCJ Number
124495
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 115-123
Author(s)
E Elaad; M Kleiner
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study was undertaken in response to the report by Kleinmuntz and Szucko on the validity of the controversial control question technique (CQT) in field application.
Abstract
The external validity of the Kleinmuntz and Szucko study is flawed by several methodological errors and by their effort to base the CQT validity on interpretations made by trainees at the end of their training course. This study was designed to investigate further the effect of experience on the accuracy of blind post-test chart interpretation, using two highly differentiated groups of polygraph examinees. There were three primary goals of the study. The first was to study the effects of the polygraph interpreter's experience on the accuracy of blind CQT chart interpretation using a routine method of chart interpretation. The second was to assess the effect of the interpreter's experience on the accuracy of each of the physiological indices applied in the field. The third goal was the further study of the relative efficiency of the three physiological measures used in real-life polygraphy. The study found no differences in accuracy of the total scores of CQT records produced by experienced interpreters and trainees. The respiration tracings appear to be more vulnerable to the interpreter's experience. The cardiovascular measure was found to be less efficient than either respiration or electrodermal measures. Results of the study showed that experienced scorers exhibited a significantly better detection rate than trainees when they scored the respiration channel, while no significant differences were noted between the two groups when they scored the skin resistance variations (GSR) and cardiovascular tracings. 1 acknowledgement, 3 tables, 28 references.

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