History and Development: (Eight Hours) The History of lie detection is traced from primitive man to its evolved state of art and will be presented to the student in an interesting and informative manner.
Psychophysiology: (Fifty-six Hours) Students will study the interrelationship between the mind and body, through an in-depth examination of the effects of emotions on the nervous system, and the subsequent changes in body organs and systems. These changes are what Forensic Psychophysiologists monitor and record for interpretation of truth or deception.
Instrumentation: (Twenty-four Hours) Students will be instructed in the complete nature of both state of the art and the more traditional instrumentation used in the detection of deception, including their construction, operation, calibration, and maintenance. Both mechanical and electronic analog instruments will be covered, with a major focus on computerized polygraph systems. Students will learn and demonstrate proper component placement, proper software operations, acceptable data collection practices, and the use of standardized annotations used in polygraph examinations.
Techniques: (Fifty-two Hours) A comprehensive study of the various forensic psychophysiological techniques in use today,including the Reid General Question Technique, Marcy Technique, Backster Zone Comparison Techniques, Federal Zone, Utah Zone, Matte Quadri-Track, AFMGQT, Positive Control, Recognition Tests, and the Academy’s Integrated Zone of Comparison Technique and Polygraph Verification Technique. The student will acquire a working knowledge of each of major polygraph techniques and will be capable of using any of them in the field for both law enforcement and commercial purposes.
Interviewing: (Forty-eight Hours) The student will be taught to properly prepare an examinee for forensic psychophysiological criminal and screening examinations, along with various methods of ascertaining critical information from the individual. The student will learn to analyze Nonverbal Behavior and Unwitting Verbal Cues, with the latest advances in this field, such as, the Morgan Interview Thematic Technique, and Forensic Statement Analysis. Students will be instructed in the Integrated Interrogation Technique, which will allow them to masterfully obtain confessions from deceptive examinees in a non-intrusive system.
Question Formulation: (Thirty-two Hours) This area of instruction covers one of the most vital phases of lie detection, the selection of the correct issue and formulation of questions, which reflect both the needs of the examiner and the concepts of the examinee. Students will be trained to artfully develop polygraph questions.
Chart Interpretation: (Forty Hours) Chart analysis is the final and most crucial part of any polygraph examination. This phase of study teaches the student how to understand the physiological phenomena recorded by the instrument, to make the proper and necessary comparisons, and to reach an accurate conclusion of truth or deception. The development of numerical evaluation is taught from its origin with the Backster technique to the latest advancement with the Academy’s own Horizontal Scoring System.
Deliberate Distortions(Sixteen Hours) The student will learn to identify common types of countermeasures and augmentations, as well as atypical physiological data. Both anti-countermeasure and counter-counter measure procedures will be addressed.
Practicum: (Eighty Hours) Students will participate in, and observe, examinations in the Academy’s modern polygraph laboratory. The student will be presented with hypothetical case facts and be required to construct and administer a complete polygraph examination to resolve the issue in a mock crime paradigm. This practical experience allows the students to practice everything that they have been taught. This practice has been the most effective method in training examiners to be able to properly administer forensic psychophysiological examination in the field.
Information and Results Reporting: (Sixteen Hours) The student will learn and demonstrate an understanding of necessary information for proper presentation of test results and writing of reports, as well as maintain records within the parameters of business and legal necessities.
Legal and Ethical Aspects: (Twelve Hours) Experience has taught us that ethical conduct by the forensic psychophysiologist is essential. A code of conduct and standards of practice prescribed by the American Polygraph Association will be presented and discussed. Students will be informed of the latest available legal opinions from the courts concerning lie detection and its application. The student will be instructed in proper methods of testifying as an expert witness in civil and criminal court proceedings, and administrative hearings
Forensic Psychophysiology Research and Methods: (Sixteen Hours) The basis of any scientific technique requires that it be valid and reliable. Our students will be familiarized with current research regarding the validity and reliability of the forensic psychophysiological technique, as well as demonstrate conceptual knowledge of sensitivity, specificity, false positive and negative errors, and statistical significance in the application of these concepts to diagnostic and screening tests. Students will also be acquainted with published scientific research data and journals, and ascertain a basic understanding of scientific experimental design.
Post Graduate Assignment: (Eighty Hours) Graduates will be required to postulate and complete a post graduate research project approved by the Director. Each student will have individualized conferences with the Director and his staff to assist in choosing an appropriate project.
