posted 06-20-2008 12:36 PM            

I am asking for links to documentation or any other verification that this is not something that I am making up because my last intern (SC requires 150 tests under observation before licensure) went to SLED (State L E Division)to have his tests reviewed earlier this week. While there, he was put through the ringer because he was not using time bars or symptomatics. Although I had explained my reasons for not using them and had told him to either use them or not at his own discretion, being new in the field, when he was asked why by the SLED supervisor his only response was "Because that's the way they do it in Spartanburg". I was later put on an impromptue conference call with the Supervisor and at least one other SLED examiner and asked to explain my reasoning. Knowing the Supervisor personally, I chose not to get into a telephone debate, but I did advise that I did not have any article in front of me at that moment, but that I had heard this and read this during at least the last two APA conf. and the AAPP conference. This Supervisor, nor any other SLED examiner, has not attended any APA or AAPP conference in the last five years (to the best of my knowledge).

I know what the arguments are for and against the use of these and for those who choose to use them that is fine with me, I will not try to change anyone's mind. It is my belief that they are not necessary and I choose not to use them. I would like to be able to locate something in writing or something specific that I can show to the SLED supervisor to show that this is not something that I am making up on my own. One of his comments to me that was particularly irritating was that since I was not using time bars that I "need to stop putting on your paperwork that you used an AFMGQT format and instead put that you was using the Spartanburg MGQT format." As anyone can see, this is a foolish statement because the quality of the comparison (presence or lack of a time bar) has nothing to do with the sequencing of questions which is the "format". Granted, the failure to use a symptomatic does change the format of a ZCT, which is the reason that I routinely do not use a ZCT (I will use a Bi-Zone occasionally).

So, if anyone can help me with a link, an email with something that I can print out, or offer any other confirmation that I am not making this up, I would greatly appreciate it.

posted 06-22-2008 01:43 AM            

This study was included in the information used for the articl:

quote:

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Effect of Two Types of Control Questions and Two Question Formats on the Outcomes of Polygraph Examinations*
• Frank Horvath, 1,† Ph.D. and
• John J. Palmatier, 2 Ph.D.
• 1Michigan State University, School of Criminal Justice, 560 Baker Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824.
2Dawn Associates LLC, 5732 S Plum Bay Pkwy, Tamarac, FL 33321.
Additional information and reprint requests:
Frank Horvath, Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor
School of Criminal Justice
Michigan State University
108, Columbia Club
Blythewood, SC 29016
E-mail: Horvath@msu.edu
*This research was supported in part by the School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University and a grant from the American Polygraph Association to the APA’s Credibility Assessment Research Center. All statements, opinions, and points of view are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the APA or its members.
†Present address: 108 Columbia Club Dr. West, Blythewood, SC 29016.
Abstract
Abstract: Two major variations of polygraph "Control Question" testing, the Zone Comparison (ZoC) and the Modified General Question Test (MGQT) were evaluated. Within each, the type of control question, Exclusive or "time bar" (e.g., "Before you were 21, did you ever...") and Nonexclusive or "no time bar"(e.g., "Did you ever….?") was manipulated in a mock theft scenario, with 80 male and 40 female subjects randomly assigned to be either innocent or guilty. Polygraphic data collected by experienced field examiners were numerically scored by an evaluator blind to all aspects of the study. Decision accuracy was not related to the type of procedure (ZoC/MGQT) used or the subject’s sex. Accuracy was significantly related to the type of control question [÷2(2) = 11.46, p = 0.003; ôc = 0.29]. Nonexclusive control questions produced greater accuracy than Exclusive control questions on both innocent and guilty subjects. These results and subjects’ self-reports support the general "theory" on which control question (CQ) testing is based. The need for better empirical support of accepted dogma and current field practices is strongly indicated by these findings.

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posted 06-23-2008 06:50 PM            

If you or anyone ever needs anything, just email me with any requests or questions. I don't always know the answer but most of the time I can direct you to someone who does or a resource regarding it (and I know that there are others here who can as well).

As busy as I have been lately, I check my email daily because I have to but I have not been on the net as much.

Best Regards,

Jamie

posted 06-23-2008 10:43 PM         

THX

posted 06-24-2008 02:41 PM         

925-646-4681