NCJ Number
141011
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 341-348
Date Published
1992
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Scoring outcomes on polygraph charts were investigated using the current method taught at the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute.
Abstract
The stronger reaction control of question '4' or '6' was compared against relevant '5,' control question '6' against relevant '7,' and control question '9' against relevant '10.' This approach was contrasted with outcomes of the Backster method and used the weaker reaction control of question '4' or '6' to relevant '5,' '9' against relevant '10.' Examiners were asked to blind score 40 sets of confirmed zone comparison charts using a 7-position scale and, when possible, to score against the strong control and separately score against the weak control. At every level of cutoff scores from +/-6 to +1/-1, the percent of correct decisions was higher for the strong control method. The use of the strong control produced fewer inconclusive results at +/-6 to +/-2, but at +/-1 the weak control produced 1.5 percent inconclusive versus 2.3 percent for the strong control procedure. 7 tables and 15 references