TRAINING CURRICULUM
This Polygraph Examiner's Course consists of 320 hours of intensive classroom and laboratory study. The course is designed to ensure the graduate will be a competent polygraph examiner, equipped with the knowledge necessary to conduct conclusive polygraph examinations in a professional and ethical manner. The major subjects taught are as follows:
POLYGRAPH 101:
HISTORY OF POLYGRAPH
Student understanding of historical efforts directed at the detection of deception, identification of the theoretical basis for detection of deception efforts, recognition of instrumentation developments, and understanding of the more significant contributions of individuals and organizations within the polygraph profession.
INSTRUMENTATION AND OPERATION
Student understanding of the mechanical operations of computerized polygraph instruments, the proper collection of polygraph tests, chart markings, maintenance and calibration.
POLYGRAPH 102:
TEST QUESTION CONSTRUCTION (FORMULATION)
Student understanding of and ability to properly develop test questions for various polygraph testing techniques.
POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUES
Student understanding and ability to use varying techniques including comparison question techniques, relevant-irrelevant techniques, guilty knowledge tests, and peak of tension tests.
POLYGRAPH 201:
CHART EVALUATION (TEST DATA ANALYSIS)
Student recognition of evaluation criteria and ability to evaluate polygraph tests, using global and numerical scoring systems, and computer scoring algorithms.
POLYGRAPH 202:
PRE AND POST TEST INTERVIEWS
Student understanding of and ability to conduct proper pretest interviews to psychologically prepare the examinee for testing; and, student understanding of and ability to conduct appropriate post test interviews to resolve polygraph issues.
POLYGRAPH 301:
DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF POLYGRAPH SKILLS
Student practice and skill development when performing as a polygraph examiner in the preparation phase, pretest, in test, analysis, and post test phases of various polygraph techniques; with individual and group critiques.
POLYGRAPH 302:
ETHICS IN FORENSIC PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY (POLYGRAPH)
Student understanding of "professional issues" and ethical dilemmas that polygraph examiners encounter; including professional competence, standards and principles of practice, ethical codes and case studies of ethically questionable conduct.
PREPARING FOR TESTIMONY
Familiarize students with basic considerations in preparing for and providing expert witness testimony in court or at administrative hearings.
POLYGRAPH COUNTERMEASURES
Familiarize the student with polygraph countermeasures and appropriate counter countermeasures.
POLYGRAPH RESEARCH
Familiarize students with basic nature of research design as well as providing a basic understanding of statistics, thus, the student will have a level of skill in reading and understanding current research in the field of polygraph and related areas of interest.
REPORT WRITING
Student understanding of report writing essentials and various types of reports for the polygraph profession.
QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES
Instructor led student review of comprehensive quality control methods and procedures, with student completing a quality control work product.
POLYGRAPH 401:
LEGAL ISSUES CONCERNING POLYGRAPH
Familiarize students with basic legal matters pertinent to the practice of polygraphy; including local, state, and federal regulations, admissibility issues, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
POLYGRAPH 402:
PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES IN POLYGRAPH
Acquaint the student with psychological theories associated with polygraph testing; including response theories, mechanics of arousal, emotions, and stress; and, to introduce students to elements of normal and abnormal behaviors in humans.
PHYSIOLOGY AND THE POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
Student understanding of basic anatomy and physiology of the human body as they relate to polygraph instrumentation, physiological recordings, equipment and filtering.
EXAMS/ PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
Written examinations test student knowledge and skills to determine satisfactory progress throughout the training program and to document student understanding prior to course completion. Laboratory evaluations and critiques of student knowledge, skills and ability to prepare for and conduct the various components of a variety of polygraph examination types.
COMPLETION TIME
Each course will be held for a period of eight weeks. The courses will be eight hours per day, five days a week. Field Work Project to be completed after successful graduation from the Basic Polygraph Course.
FIELD WORK PROJECT
In order to ensure professional, ethical and operational proficiency in real-life case production it is mandatory that each student complete a fieldwork project after graduation from the academic phase of this course. The final graduation certificate will be awarded upon completion of this project. Each student may choose either A or B from the list below*:
A. The Arizona School of Polygraph Science has established an internship/externship program whereby each student will have to conduct a set number (25) of examinations in the techniques taught at this school after returning to their home base or agency. Students must then submit a list of her/his tests. Once the list is received, the Director will ask her/him to submit a sampling from the list. From this sample, the Director will complete a quality control evaluation. If all of the standards in which the student was instructed are met, a final graduation certificate will be awarded.
B. Completion of an in-depth 20-page research paper. This research paper must be completed within six (6) months of graduation from the academic phase of this course. The research paper will be on a topic agreed upon by the student and the Director on one (1) of the following areas:
i. psychophysiological detection of deception
ii. psychology
iii. physiology
iv. law
*VA students are limited to option B.
"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott
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