The DoDPI General Question Test (GQT) Mr. Scalabrini and I were unaware of this polygraph format at the time we wrote the 1st edition of
The Lie Behind the Lie Detector. According to James Allen Matte (
Forensic Psychophysiology Using the Polygraph, 1996), the GQT is a modification of Leonarde Keeler's Relevant/Irrelevant technique. Matte writes that the GQT "is useful when multiple issues need to be explored with a large number of suspects. It is also a useful technique when the forensic psychophysiologist is restricted to a non-control question technique,
the examinee has been trained in forensic psychophysiology, or the examinee has been routinely polygraphed in the past." (emphasis added in red)
Thus it seems plausible that a federal polygrapher might use the GQT with a subject who admits to understanding the trickery on which standard "control" question "tests" like the probable-lie Modified General Question Test and Zone Comparison Test or the directed-lie Test for Espionage and Sabotage depend.
Outwardly, the GQT appears to be a kind of relevant/irrelevant "test." But the GQT actually uses "disguised control" questions (Matte also refers to them as "formalized control questions.") The "disguised control" questions are "Do you intend to lie to any of the questions on this test?" and "Have you lied to me in any way since we have been talking today?" While such questions are commonly used as sacrifice relevant questions (see p. 50 of
The Lie Behind the Lie Detector) in "control" question "tests," here they are actually used as "control" questions: it is expected that even truthful subjects will show a physiological response when answering these accusatory questions.
The key to passing the DoDPI GQT is to produce larger physiological responses when answering the "disguised control" questions (not the irrelevant questions) vs. the relevant questions. Matte provides a lengthy description excerpted from a 1995 DoDPI document on the GQT (emphasis added in
red). The following citation is slightly edited:
Quote:
Pretest Interview Phase:
1. The pre-test interview is adapted for an expanded discussion of general control material.
2. Relate disguised controls to background when collecting biographical data. (Integrity, honesty, parental upbringing, etc. - but be brief)
3. Introduction of relevant areas is accomplished by asking questions like "Why are you here?" and/or "Why have you been asked to take this PV examination?
Pretest Interview Phase Sequence:
1. Introduction. (Identification, Examination Suite & Overview).
2. Rights Form/Consent Form.
3. Biographical/Medical Information. (Lay foundation for disguised controls)
4. Explain PV examination procedure and what the instrument records.
5. Case facts review/discuss incident.
6. Review/discuss test questions.
Discussing Incident with Examinee: Review the crime with the examinee as if you were walking him/her through the crime scene one step at a time.
Test Question Review Sequence:
1. First disguised control: "Do you intend to lie to any of the questions on this test?"
2. All relevant questions.
3. All irrelevant questions.
4. Second disguised control: "Have you lied to me in any way since we have been talking today?" (Last Question Reviewed).
DoDPI GQT - Question Sequence Example:
Irrelevant: Is today Monday?
Irrelevant: Is this the month of November?
Disguised Control: Do you intend to lie to any of the questions on this test?
Relevant (Plan): Did you plan with anyone to steal any of that money?
Relevant (Knowledge): Do you know for sure who stole any of that money?
Irrelevant: Is your first name Jim?
Relevant (Primary): Did you steal any of that money?
Relevant (Secondary): Do you know where any of that stolen money is now?
Disguised Control: Have you lied to me in any way since we have been talking today?
Irrelevant (Optional) Is your last name Jones?
NOTE: An irrelevant question may be inserted in test as needed. The "Have you lied..." disguised control is always last or next to last question in format.
DoDPI GQT Data Collection Phase Rules:
1. No more than 13 questions per test, with no more than three relevant questions in succession.
2. Numerical analysis, if utilized, is the most significant reaction of each disguised control against all relevants. (Component-by-component tracing).
3. Length of the pretest is flexible.
4. Examinee is not told the order of the questions, but all are reviewed.
5. Three tests are collected at DoDPI.
6. Minimum of three but no more than five relevant questions per examination.
7. Relevant questions should "walk" examinee through the crime.
8. Different offenses may be asked in examination, however, they must be continuation of same crime (e.g., burglary & rape).
9. No sensitivity/pressure changes allowed after first disguised control is asked.
10. Relevants may be resequenced after first test; however, disguised control questions remain in same position for all three tests.
11. Stimulation (acquaintance) test is optional. If conducted, it is the first test.
12. All other DoDPI test question construction and operations rules apply.
Test Data Analysis:
Global Evaluation:
1. Reactions must be consistent, specific and significant.
2. Two out of three component tracings per test.
3. Two out of three askings of the relevant questions per examination.
Numerical Evaluation:
1. Most significant reaction of each disguised control question is compared against all relevants - component-by-component tracing, using a 7-position numerical scale.
2. A vertical conversion table containing a cutoff score of plus or minus 3 is used separately for each relevant question.
3. A minimum of three test charts will be conducted before an evaluation is made.
Last modification: George Maschke - 02/10/01 at 09:05:12
