An early version of the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute's Federal Psychophysiological Detection of Deception Examiner Handbook (dated 1 December 1998 and marked "For Official Use Only") may be downloaded here (299kb PDF):
http://antipolygraph.org/documents/federal-polygraph-handbook-01-12-1998.pdf According to the Department of Defense's polygraph program report to Congress for
fiscal year 1998:
Quote:In Fiscal Year 1998, the Department published a handbook for all federal polygraph examiners which sets forth standardized techniques and procedures for conducting polygraph examinations. The handbook also outlines a Quality Assurance Program (QAP) wherein DODPI inspects federal polygraph programs to ensure compliance with both those techniques and procedures taught at DODPI and the continuing education requirements established by the polygraph community for polygraph examiners.
In 2002, AntiPolygraph.org requested the then current version of the Handbook (which was by then dated 3 July 2001) under the Freedom of Information Act. However, the Defense Security Service (DSS), DoDPI's then parent agency, withheld most of the Handbook. Those portions that were released may be downloaded here (1mb PDF):
http://antipolygraph.org/documents/federal-polygraph-handbook.pdf Interestingly, DSS went so far as to redact certain items from the Handbook's glossary (no doubt in consultation with DoDPI). A comparison of the glossaries of the 1998 and 2001 versions reveals the "secret" definitions that DoDPI didn't want the public to know:
Quote:Breakdown Test - [only the second half of this definition was redacted] A test conducted to verify an examinee’s statement regarding an issue after specific responses to one question have been observed and recorded during a screening examination. The issue is separated from the remaining test questions and a breakdown test is conducted. To devise appropriate breakdown questions, divide the issue into its logical components and design a question to cover each key area. The breakdown test can be conducted using an R/I format, or a comparison question format. If the results of the breakdown test clear the issue for which the test was conducted, a clearing test should be conducted.
Comparison Question - A question which is designed to produce a physiological response. The physiological responses of the comparison questions are compared to the physiological responses of the relevant questions.
The probable and directed lie are the two types of comparison questions utilized within the federal government.
Overall Truth Question - An optional question which may be utilized in an R/I question format. It is similar to the sacrifice relevant question in the comparison question format. It is intended to elicit a physiological response which may be indicative of the examinee’s overall response capability.
Probable Lie Comparison (PLC) Question - A question designed to be a probable lie for the examinee. The DLC question should be similar in nature but unrelated to the specific crime or issue being tested. The question should be
separated from the relevant issue by either time, place or category. The comparison question should use the same action verb or similar in nature action verb as that of the relevant issue. A comparison question should be broad in
scope and time so that it captures as many of the examinee's past life experiences as possible.
Stimulus Question - A question which may be utilized in an R/I question format to determine the examinee’s overall capacity for response.
Also worth noting, the 2001 edition added two chapters not included in the 1998 edition: Chapter XVI (CI-Scope Polygraph Test) and Chapter XVII (Field Rank Order Scoring System).
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Federal PDD Examiner Handbook (Read 25261 times)
