Using the Empirical Scoring System

• NCJ Number: 236168
• Journal: Polygraph Volume: 40 Issue: 2 Dated: 2011 Pages: 67-78
• Author(s): Raymond Nelson; Mark Handler; Pam Shaw; Michael Gougler; Benjamin Blalock; Chad Russell; Barry Cushman; Marty Oelrich
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes the procedures used in the Empirical Scoring System, an evidence-based system used for manual test data analysis in comparison question test formats used in polygraph testing.

Abstract

The authors describe the procedures of the Empirical Scoring System, an evidence-based normative system for test data analysis of psychophysiological detection of deception examination data from comparison question test formats. A procedural description is provided for all aspects of the scoring model, including physiological features, mathematical transformations, decision rules, and cutscores based on normative data. Validation data for 13 dimensions of criterion accuracy are shown for 5,192 scored results of 732 confirmed Federal and Utah 3-question ZCT examinations. These data are from 6 samples, scored by 140 experienced and inexperienced scorers in 16 cohorts of study participants. Normative data is provided in the appendixes. (Published Abstract)