NCJ Number
193245
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: 2001 Pages: 244-253
Editor(s)
Deedra Senter
Date Published
2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study is a continuation of research to develop a participant manipulation to serve as a standard procedure for laboratory psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) research.
Abstract
The goal is to determine the accuracy of PDD procedures. Investigators must manipulate one or more variables and determine which manipulations produce the most effective examination. In order to maintain scientific integrity, the methodology of all studies should be as uniform as possible. One of the first steps toward obtaining such uniformity is to develop a participant manipulation procedure that produces reliable results. Participants were 32 native English speaking civilians (12 males and 20 females), ranging in age from 19 to 44 years. Two experienced field examiners conducted the examinations. Computerized polygraph systems were used to record, and subsequently print, electrodermal, respiratory, and cardiovascular activity. A mock theft scenario was used. Results showed that the mock crime procedure did not meet the goal of 80 percent correct. The second procedure was identical to the first except there was an inclusion of two screening instruments: the Mini-Mental State Examination and a brief reading comprehension task. Results showed that the average percentage of correct, incorrect, and no decisions produced by human scorers was 66 percent, 10 percent, and 24 percent, respectively. The second procedure produced a non-significant but notable increase in accuracy. The boost in accuracy resulted from an increase in the number of correct calls with a corresponding decrease in the number of errors. It is recommended that research using this standard procedure continue, perhaps in conjunction with a screening mechanism such as that used in the second procedure. 4 tables, 16 references