Donna.Taylor wrote on Jan 22
nd, 2008 at 12:20am:
Lethe wrote on Jan 21
st, 2008 at 8:04am:
Question for polygraphers: Which states, if any, actually have laws that require polygraph exams done by all state agencies to fully comply with APA guidelines and standards?
It's great if you can talk about how awesome APA standards are. But if no one is actually following them, they may as well not even exist. We all know that federal agencies pretty much do whatever the hell they want. Pretty much every competent polygrapher I've ever seen comment on the subject has said that all exams should at least be audio recorded and that video recording would also be a good idea. I believe the APA itself has said that all exams should be recorded. But, hey, if that gets in the way of doing what you want, why do it? Truly it is written that those who have power do what they want and those who don't suffer what they must.
So, which states, if any, actually require all polygraph exams done under their auspices to comply with APA rules? We've got polygraphers from all over the country here, I'm sure we can come up with a pretty good, if not 100% exhaustive and authoritative list.
Utah rules state:
1. A potential examiner must graduate from a course of instruction in deception detection that is approved by the APA.
2. Post Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT) intern examiners must be supervised by an examiner that is PCSOT certified.
3. Also if an examiner conducts PCSOT without holding a current certification from APA they could be disciplined (including revocation of license).
I believe the bigger picture is that APA members/examiners should follow rules and guidelines of the APA to retain their membership in this association. If they are an APA member and the APA standards are greater than their state rules - the examiner should be held accountable to the APA best practices or loose their membership.
APA and AAPP are valuable entities to examiners. I believe memberships with these entities should be held at the highest regard by examiners. Taylor
Donna, the
APA Standards of Practice (Effective 01/20/2007) states, in part:
Quote:
3.9.9 An audio/video recording of the pretest and in-test phases is required to be made and maintained as part of the examination file for as long as required by regulation or law, but for a minimum of one year for all evidentiary and paired-testing examinations. Audio/video recording is recommended for PCSOT examinations.
You seem to be implying that a polygrapher who doesn't follow the standards, which include audio/video recording all exams and keeping those records for at least one year, would lose APA membership and thus not be able to conduct exams in Utah. If this is so, then we could logically conclude that all exams performed under the auspices of the State of Utah are audio and video recorded and that those recordings are kept for at least one year. Is this, in fact, the case?
If not, then the State of Utah does not require its polygraphers to fully comply with APA standards.
Dr. Lethe