NCJ Number
217467
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Dated: 2006 Pages: 191-219
Date Published
2006
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes findings from a series of workshops that focused on various science-based approaches for conducting security evaluations of individuals.
Abstract
The major recommendations from each of the six workshops pertain to language and deception, behavioral measures, emerging technologies, autonomic and somatic measures, psychological measures, and functional brain imaging. One recommendation pertinent to language and deception is that new tools be developed to examine natural word, phrase, and narrative use, with applications for use in multiple languages. Such tools would include machine translation, voice transcriptions, and spectral analyses of voice quality. Among the recommendations for behavioral measures is the development of software and other tools for collecting and analyzing the most elemental physical and psychological units of behavior that may suggest fear, stress, or deception. Regarding emerging technologies, one of the recommendations is to establish the optimal technologies, policies, and procedures for electronic and manual storage and transfer of large databases of personal identity information. A recommendation for autonomic and somatic measures is to assess and maximize the reliability, validity, and utility of pre-employment and periodic employment tests, including those that use polygraphy, particularly across cultures and variable contexts. Regarding psychological measures, one recommendation is to extend and evaluate current tests of psychological status, for example, implicit attitudes, implicit cognitions, empathy, and unintentional racism. This will expand the battery of tests designed to detect deception. A recommendation pertinent to functional brain imaging is to use cognitive neuroscience tools in order to evaluate the neural mechanisms that underlie the ability to intentionally suppress, distort, or fabricate information. Funding mechanisms and a research agenda recommended by the workshops are also summarized. Appended workshop reports