NCJ Number
226980
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: 2009 Pages: 15-33
Date Published
2009
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This paper describes how to administer and evaluate a polygraph examination under the chart-scoring system developed by David Raskin, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Utah, and improved upon by psychologist/examiners based on known and proven principles of psychology and psychophysiology.
Abstract
The scientists who created and refined the “Utah” technique were careful to thoroughly research and assess the reliability and validity of the examination. This included numerous field and analog studies conducted over three decades. The Utah Scoring System is somewhat conservative in assigning values to what is observed on polygraph charts. This ensures that scores are assigned to reactions that are clearly different in comparison, such that arbitrary assignments are eliminated. Some argue that such a conservative approach may result in an inconclusive finding after three charts, thus requiring that the additional two charts be conducted. From a scientific perspective, more data provides for better results, so the additional two charts should increase confidence in the results. The “Utah” approach to the Comparison Question Test (CQT) is an empirically consistent and unified approach to polygraph. The Utah CQT was traditionally used as a single issue Zone Comparison Test. It is amenable to other uses, including multifaceted testing of a single crime issue, as a Modified General Question Technique format, or as a multiple-issue General Question Technique. The Utah-CQT and the corresponding Utah Numerical Scoring System provide some of the highest rates of criterion accuracy and interrater reliability of any polygraph examination protocol when applied in an event-specific testing situation. This paper provides descriptions of the Utah test structure and administration, the three-question format, the four-question format, the operation of the test, test data analysis, and decision criteria. 12 figures and 45 references