Can anyone in the polygraph community cite any peer-reviewed study whatsoever indicating that the Relevant/Irrelevant (R/I) technique works any better than a coin flip, a Magic 8-Ball, or a ouija board (i.e., chance)?!

It appears that the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute (DoDPI) has not conducted any research whatsoever into the validity of the R/I technique. (See the message thread DSS Withholds R/I Screening Documentation.) Nonetheless, Dr. Gordon H. Barland, formerly of DoDPI, has suggested the R/I technique as an alternative to the "Control" Question "Test" (CQT) in instances where the subject admits to being familiar with CQT methodology. (See the message thread, Countermeasure considerations for the innocent). And "PDD-Fed" has offered the R/I technique as one that is immune to physical countermeasures. (See the message thread, Ways to Counter the Relevant/Irrelevant Technique). PDD-Fed has further indicated that based on R/I chart readings alone, and absent any admissions from a subject, he will render an opinion of "significant response" (which is, for all intents and purposes, the same as "deception indicated," or "failing").

Now, the American Polygraph Association purports to be "Dedicated to Truth" (APA motto), and DoDPI supposedly seeks to further "Security and Justice Through Truth" (DoDPI motto).

So answer truthfully, all ye polygraphers who read this! Absent any substantive admission on the subject's part, on what rational basis can a polygrapher possibly conclude that a subject was deceptive as a result of "failing" a R/I "test?!"

If the polygraph community cannot or will not answer this question, then perhaps those polygaphers who continue to use the R/I technique (as well as the corrupt and/or incompetent DoDPI officials who sanction it) should be held personally liable in any civil and/or criminal litigation that might arise from the federal government's arbitrary and capricious misuse of this thoroughly discredited methodology.

PDD-Fed,

I don't know, but suspect you are correct.  Mr. Maschke probably devotes countless hours to the work connected with this web site.  Those who read this material, particularly the victims of polygraphy, and the American public are deeply indebted to him and Mr. Scalabrini.  I for one am even glad that you awakened to post your reply.  Unfortunately you forgot to address the main and boldly highlighted question put to you:


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PDD-Fed,

Ad hominem arguments that I need to be "a little more open-minded" and "get a little more sleep" do nothing to support the notion that the Relevant/Irrelevant polygraph technique (your bread and butter, PDD-Fed) has any more validity than a tarot card reading. I expected better from someone who purports to have a master's degree...

In the message thread, Ways to Counter the Relevant/Irrelevant Technique you protested:

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Then please show us that you and your fellow practitioners of the R/I technique are not a "wagon train of card dealing, shell shuffling gypsies" (my apologies to card dealing, shell shuffling gypsies for the comparison to polygraphers) by directing us to any peer-reviewed research which supports the validity of your methodology.

George, 
You asked:

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I am not sure if this article from the Northwestern University School of Law is "peer reviewed", but please take a look.  According to this particular research study, the R&I was highly accurate in detecting truth/deception:

Blum R; Osterloh,W.,   The polygraph examination as a means for detecting truth and falsehood in stories presented by police informants. Journal of Criminal Law, Crime and Police Science 1968; 59; 133-137.

PDD-Fed

The value of scientific peer-review becomes apparent when one reads the Operations Research Office's non-peer-reviewed January 1951 "Report on the Possible Uses of the Polygraph and Supplemental Report on the Examination of Korean Nationals and Communist Chinese," which advocates use of the Relevant/Irrelevant "test" for screening purposes.