NCJ Number
147930
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (1993) Pages: 299-312
Date Published
1993
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the proper delivery of polygraph test questions that are clearly understood and interpreted by the examinee as designed and formulated in a mock review/presentation of test questions in a control-question format (Quadri-Zone Comparison Technique).
Abstract
The author first discusses the pretest interview, which affects the review and presentation of the test questions. In the Quadri-Zone Comparison Technique, as in other control-question techniques, the pretest interview is nonaccusatory. Truth or deception must be determined by the examinee's consistent physiological responses on the polygraph charts, either to the control questions if truthful or to the relevant (crime) questions if deceptive. An overview of the Quadri-Zone methodology shows the order in which the test questions are asked during the polygraph administration. The first test question reviewed with the examinee is the "sacrifice relevant," which is structured as a weak relevant question that introduces two strong relevant questions. The use of the "sacrifice relevant" question allows the first strong relevant question to be short, clear, and have minimal risk of rationalization by the examinee. This eliminates mental exercise as a possible cause for a physiological response to the test question. Generally, relevant test questions should be the easiest to understand and interpret by the examinee, since they deal directly with the issues for which the examinee is being polygraphed. They should be thoroughly discussed during the pretest interview. The remaining sections of the article discuss control-question review, the review of error questions, and a review of the neutral question and symptomatic questions. 10 references