Ed "Sancho Panza" Vanarsdale's website

[T.M. Cullen]

The following page was on his website.  It is his advise to attorney's who have clients facing a police polygraph.  I underlined portions I found interesting.  Note, I post it here in it's entirety so I won't be accused later of taking anything out of context!

Psychophysiological  Detection of Deception Examinations (PDD)
otherwise known as polygraph examinations conducted by Law
Enforcement are an important part of their investigative process. (Often
if a client "passes" the PDD examination, the criminal investigation
focuses on other suspects or an investigation is terminated.

You may determine that is in a clients best interest to submit to a Law
Enforcement PDD Examination. VanArsdale Polygraph Services
recommends the following guidelines to assist you in responding to a
Law Enforcement PDD Examination of your clients:

1.        Whenever possible have your client tested by a private PDD
Examiner with extensive Law Enforcement Experience who has availed
themselves of continuing education opportunities in the field.

2.        If you agree to a Law Enforcement PDD Examination, inform the
investigating officer about the private test and offer the opportunity for
the Law Enforcement Examiner to visit with the Private Examiner and
review the Examiner's work product.

3.        Require the Law Enforcement PDD Examiner to use a
scientifically validated Zone Comparison Question Test technique. Multi-
faceted and Multi-issue techniques are often preferred by Law
Enforcement Examiners. These techniques are more difficult for an
"Innocent" person to pass because of the test structure and the fact that
opinions are not formed on individual questions. Fail one question, fail
the test.

Contact Van Arsdale Polygraph Services for information on validated
techniques.

4.        Require that the test be recorded. Preferably by video but audio
is acceptable. Gain a commitment that regardless of outcome, the test
will be reviewed by your expert.


5.        Advise your client if at any time during the testing process the
examiner becomes aggressive or accusatory the test should be
terminated. If the examiner does not discuss each of the questions to
be asked during the testing process, the test should be terminated. If
during the collection of data, unreviewed questions are asked, the test
should be terminated.

6.        Your client should refrain from using illegal drugs for 48 hours
prior to the test. If under a doctor's care, all prescribed medication
should be continued unless instructed to stop by a physician. The Law
Enforcement Examiner should be informed about all medication taken.

7.        A the conclusion of the data collection, no interview should be
allowed. Oklahoma Law requires that an examinee be given the
opportunity to explain any reactions, but does not require that they do
so.  

8.        Consult with Van Arsdale Polygraph Services prior to an exam for
updated information and advice.

[T.M. Cullen]

Ref to above:

If a guilty person manages to pass a polygraph, then he may be set free.  Like the "Green River" killer?   Yes, and that is what is called  over reliance on the polygraph!

The polygraph (regardless of format) has NOT been "scientifically valided", and after repeated requests the author failed to provide ANY citations to show that it had!

Request the test be recorded and an opportunity be given for the recording to be reviewed?  Why not provide a copy to ALL persons subjected to the polygraph?  Apparently, Mr. Vanarsdale feels HE should be afforded a recording of a polygraph, but not the person tested?  Gotta keep it within "the magic circle".

Terminate the test if the examiner becomes "aggressive or accusatory"?  Hmm, or course Mr. Vanarsdale would never become aggressive or accusatory when he conducts HIS polygraphs!   I wonder what his hypocritical reaction would be if somebody "walked out" of one of his inquisitions!   But Mr. Sancho always DENIED that the polygraph was an interrogation!  You know, where you are aggressively accused of things by a person demanding you "fess up"!

No post test interrogation?  Just let 'em collect their data and take your leave?  Okay, I think that IS good advice.  Don't get suckered into a badgering session where you get accused of lying when you are being truthful.  I could never disagree with that!

Pardon me.  I have to go vomit!

TC