??? I have questions about the relevant/irrelevant test. Are the irrelevant question responses compared to the relevant question responses? Should one employ such counter measures as thinking exciting thoughts when responding the the irrelevant questions, such as, "Are you sitting down"? Or should one focus on such countermeasures as consistent breathing when responding to the relevant questions, in hope of having consistent reponses. The online text is not clear, at least to me, concerning these issues. I would appreciate help ASAP. BiggieG

Well, in the relevant/irrelevant test there are no control questions, so why does it state that CMs are especially effective?

I'm sorry; I think I may have misunderstood your question.  The Relevant/Irrelevant test is explained on pages 117-120 and 151 of TLBTLD.

I've never been given a R/I test before, so I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about it.  I interpret the last line to mean that the behavior countermeasures are more important since the polygrapher is mainly relying on his subjective opinion.   

In the last paragraph, I believe he is stating that the polygrapher looks for repeated responses to a particular question (regardless of the order) and that you should avoid producing such a pattern.

"You can prevent such a pattern from occurring by simply producing responses to two differing groups of two relevant questions within the different chart presentations."

I take that to mean that you should produce an artificial response to a different RQ during each chart.   
Any other opinions?

alterego1 wrote on Jul 18^th, 2006 at 3:29am:


As I understand R/I tests (and I've never claimed to be an expert at ANYTHING), deception is indicated when a response is generated by the same RQ across multiple charts.  For example, if the polygrapher runs three charts with the questions in a different order on each chart, and each time you have an elevated response to a specific RQ, then the conclusion will be that you are lying on that RQ.   
So, if you were given a R/I test (which you won't be), then on the first chart use CMs on questions about topic A and C, on the second about topic D and G, and on the third about topic B and F.   
I hope that makes sense and that it is close to an accurate explanation.

In the past 8 years, I PERSONALLY don't know of anyone that has been given an R/I test.  There may be some on this forum that have been.

Woogie,

If you don't mind me asking, was this R/I test for a law enforcement agency?  I recall reading where many state law enforcement agencies are relying more and more on the R/I test versus the Probable Lie Control Question Test.

I'm not sure what their rationale behind this is, since the Department of Defense has already developed a law enforcement specific poly, which uses the PLCQT.  I would think the DOD's poly format would be the "gold standard" that other agencies would go by, but from what i'm hearing it's not the case.

Enlighten us!

alterego1 wrote on Jul 21^st, 2006 at 4:48am:


Yes...it was for a LEO.