NCJ Number
52569
Date Published
1976
Length
33 pages
Annotation
PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS EVALUATOR (PSE) FINDINGS ARE COMPARED WITH KNOWN CASE OUTCOMES IN A VALIDITY/RELIABILITY STUDY INVOLVING 53 SUBJECTS, 12 TESTERS, AND 12 EVALUATORS.
Abstract
THE PSE PURPORTEDLY MEASURES AND RECORDS INDICATIONS OF STRESS IN THE HUMAN VOICE. THE INSTRUMENT HAS BEEN USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, EMPLOYERS, AND THE SECURITY INDUSTRY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE POLYGRAPH. TWELVE TESTERS (PERSONS WHO ADMINISTERED THE PSE TEST AND ALSO INTERPRETED THE RESULTING CHARTS) AND 12 EVALUATORS (PERSONS WHO ONLY INTERPRETED THE CHARTS) PERFORMED ANALYSES IN 53 CASES IN WHICH THE OUTCOME WAS KNOWN (THORUGH CONFESSION OF THE PARTY INVOLVED). TYPES OF CASES INCLUDE PETTY LARCENY, GRAND LARCENY, BRIBERY, RAPE, ASSAULT, ADULTERY, BURGLARY, MALPRACTICE, UNDUE INFLUENCE, PREJUDICE LEADING TO BRIBERY, ARSON, KIDNAPPING, BRAINWASHING, AND INDUSTRIAL SABOTAGE. THE TESTERS AND EVALUATORS RETURNED 318 REPLIES INDICATING THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF DECEPTION IN THE SUBJECTS' RESPONSES. OF THE 258 REPLIES FOR WHICH COMPARISONS COULD BE MADE, EVALUATORS AGREED WITH KNOWN OUTCOMES IN 96.12 PERCENT. WHEN THE REPLIES OF BOTH EVALUATORS AND TESTERS ARE CONSIDERED, THE RELIABILITY IS 96.78 PERCENT. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE PSE IS A USEFUL INSTRUMENT IN THE HANDS OF COMPETENT EXAMINERS WHO ADHERE TO A PRESCRIBED FORMAT FOR DETERMINING TRUTH AND DECEPTION. THE STUDY REPORT INCLUDES A DISCUSSION OF AUDIO STRESS ANALYSIS, DETAILS OF THE PSE TESTING TECHNIQUE AND OF STUDY PROCEDURES AND FINDINGS, SUPPORTING DATA, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY.