repeat last word, then answer

[DStarbuck]

OK... so why would an examiner make me say the last word of the question, then have me give my answer.

[George W. Maschke]

This technique is sometimes used in an attempt to deter countermeasures by forcing the examinee to concentrate on the question being asked. James Allan Matte mentions it in his article, "Psychological Structure and Theoretical Concept of the Backster Zone Comparison Technique," Polygraph, Vol. 36, No. 2:

There has recently been a surge of interest in the use of mental countermeasures and methods of countering them.  One of those methods attempts to deter such usage by instructing the examinee
to repeat the last word of each question followed by his one-word answer, which it is thought would defeat attempts at disassociation.

And the Army CID polygraph manual suggests this technique as a way of deterring controlled breathing:

8.7 Controlled Breathing

Controlled breathing is a common countermeasure.  Avoid direct confrontation with the examinee about breathing distortions until all available non-confrontational remedies, such as:  increasing the cardio cuff pressure, use of the SAT and/or ST, requiring the examinee to lean forward slightly, requiring the examinee to repeat the last word of each question before giving the answer, etc., are exhausted. Some anxious, truthful examinees exhibit distorted breathing patterns.  If non-confrontational remedies fail, consider stronger confrontational measures.

[DStarbuck]

whats what is the counter to that?

[George W. Maschke]

whats what is the counter to that?

I think the "repeat the last word, then answer" technique is a simplistic and ineffective counter-countermeasure that need not be "countered." If I were using the countermeasures outlined in Chapter 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector (which do not involve disassociation) and the polygrapher employed this approach, I'd  continue with my countermeasure strategy as planned.