Acquaintance Tests

Tests

Expand AllCollapse All

• Federal Acquaintance Test

  Materials: Full leaf of paper, pen.

  Procedure:

  1. The Federal Acquaintance Test is the first test chart. It is typically conducted after the examination questions have been reviewed.
  2. Ask the examinee to select a number, between 3 and 8, but not 3 or 8, and have him write it down on the paper.
  3. Once this is done, place the paper to be directly visible to the examinee during testing.
  4. Brief the examinee about the test that is about to take place. Tell him:
     • The preparatory phrase.
     • The order the items will be read during the test.
     • To answer no to each of the numbers.
     • How to sit during the testing.
  5. During testing, use the following preparatory phrase: “Regarding the number you wrote on that piece of paper...”
  6. The prefix phrase before each number is: “Was it the number...?” Begin with the number 1, and end with 9.
  7. Question spacing is about 20 – 25 secs.
  8. The test is given exactly as the examinee was told it would be.
  9. The test is given once, unless there are problems with the recording, or the examinee fails to follow instructions.
  10. A posttest discussion of the Federal Acquaintance Test is always given to the examinee.

• True Blue Control Test

  Materials: 6 white 8” X 5” index cards, one red and one blue fiber-tip pens.

  Procedure:

  1. Draw:
     • A large red “1” on one card.
     • A large blue “2” on one card.
     • A large “3” with the top half red and the bottom half blue on one card. • A large blue “4” on one card.
     • A large red “5” on one card.
     • A large “6” that is 3⁄4 blue and 1⁄4 red.
  2. Advise the examinee that you are going to verify that the charts look differently when the examinee tells a lie and tells the truth. State that if there are no differences, there is no reason to continue the examination. This holds the interest of most examinees, and invites countermeasures from those so inclined.
  3. Before testing begins, hold up the first card, and ask the examinee what the number is. If he correctly answers “1”, ask what the color is. If the answer is “red,” go to the next card. Repeat the procedure though the cards.
  4. At the mixed-color cards, the examinee should correctly state that the cards are both red and blue. Emphasize that this answer is correct, that the cards are neither entirely red nor entirely blue.
  5. Advise the examinee that in a moment you will turn on the polygraph, show him the cards one at a time, and the examinee is to answer yes or no to your questions.
  6. Advise the examinee that when a red number is shown, he should lie. When a blue number is shown, he should answer truthfully.
  7. Advise the examinee that when the mixed- color “3” is shown, he will be asked if the “3” is blue. He should answer yes, and therefore he will be telling a half-lie.
  8. Advise the examinee that when the mixed- color “6” is shown, he will be asked if the “6” is red. He should answer no, and therefore he will be telling a small lie.
  9. Conduct the test with the cards in order of 1-6, and a 20-25 second pace. Have the examinee face you during the test, where he can see the cards as you hold them up. Watch the examinee’s eyes to ensure he is focusing on the cards.
  10. Discuss the test with the examinee when it is completed, emphasizing that you now have a recording of responses when the examinee is completely truthful, and responses when the examinee is telling full, half, and small lies. Usually, it is desirable to withhold the chart until the examination is completed. Look for countermeasures, but do not comment if you see them.

• Fail-Proof Blind Numbers Test

  Materials: Pen, small piece of paper.

  Procedure:

  1. Ask the examinee to select a number, typically but not necessarily between 2 and 6, and write it on a sheet of paper after the examiner has turned away from the examinee.
  2. Tell the examinee to fold up the paper, and place it under a leg.
  3. Turn back to the examinee, and say: “In a moment I’m going to give you a test on the number you just wrote down. I’m going to ask you: Did you write down the number 1; Did you write down the number 2, and so on. I want you to answer no to all of the numbers, including the one you wrote down. Answer no to all of them. Do you understand?”
  4. If the examinee acknowledges understanding the instructions, continue with these words: “Once we’ve completed that test, I’m going to ask you those same numbers again, but this time I’ll mix up the order. They’ll be the same numbers, just a different order. I want you to answer no to those numbers, too, including the one you did write down. Are you with me so far?”
  5. If the examinee understands, say: “Then, when the second test is done, I’m going to give you a third test, but on this test, just before I give it to you, I’ll give you some special instructions. The instructions will be very simple, but it’s important you pay attention in order to follow the instructions properly.”
  6. While placing the EDA electrodes back on, reconfirm the examinee understands the instructions. Ask: “You do remember what number you wrote down, don’t you?” Wait for the answer. Then ask: “What will be your answer to all of the questions on this test?” If the examinee answers no, continue with the test. If not, repeat the instructions.
  7. Begin the testing. Give the preparatory statement: “Regarding the number you wrote down..” followed by the prefix “was it the number ...?” Read the numbers in order. Question spacing is about 15-20 seconds. Do not turn off the instrument at the end of this segment, but continue to the next sequence. Try to determine what the number was.
  8. Tell the examinee: “That was the end of the first test. Now I’ll give you the same numbers again, but change the order. Remember to answer no to all of these, too, including the one you did write down.”
  9. Give the same preparatory statement, and prefix. For the order, the first number should be the least likely, based on your reading of the first chart. The second number should also be unlikely. The third number should be the most likely, followed by the number “1” as the fourth number. The fifth number should be the second guess. Finish with the last number.
  10. Advise the examinee: “For the third series I told you I would have some special instructions, and here they are. For this series I want you to answer truthfully, that is, if the truthful answer is no, say no. If the truthful answer is yes, say yes. Do you understand?” Wait for confirmation from the examinee.
  11. Ask the examinee your first guess. If it is correct, turn off the polygraph. Comment is optional, but not necessary.
  12. If the first choice is incorrect, the next number should be number “1”. Read all of the numbers, saving for last your second choice. Then, turn off the polygraph. Comment is optional, but not necessary.
  13. If neither choice was correct, turn off the polygraph at the end of the test. Do not comment on the test at that point. You can truthfully advise the examinee about the readability of the test if he is interested at the end of the examination.

• Calibration Verification of Sensitivity (CVOS)

  Materials: None

  Procedure:

  1. The examination questions will have been reviewed before the CVOS. The CVOS is the first chart. Advise the examinee that you are going to verify that the charts look differently when the examinee tells a lie and tells the truth. State that if there are no differences, there is no reason to continue the examination. This holds the interest of most examinees, and invites countermeasures from those so inclined.
  2. Advise the examinee that you going to run a special test to calibrate the instrument to him. At the mixed-color cards, the examinee should correctly state that the cards are both red and blue. Emphasize that this answer is correct, that the cards are neither entirely red nor entirely blue.
  3. Reassure the examinee that the test is easy, and that you will review all of the questions with him. Begin the review.Advise the examinee that when a red number is shown, he should lie. When a blue number is shown, he should answer truthfully.
  4. The first question is a neutral question for which the truth is known, such as the examinee’s name or other verified detail that is not emotionally evocative.Advise the examinee that when the mixed-color “6” is shown, he will be asked if the “6” is red. He should answer no, and therefore he will be telling a small lie.
  5. The second question, like the first, is a neutral question for which the truth is known, such as the location of the examination, or the state where the examinee was born. Ensure it is emotionally neutral.
  6. For the third question, advise that you will ask the examinee a simple math question, for the purpose of confirming that he can process information. Tell the examinee to figure out the answer, and tell it to you. Do not reveal what the math question is. Ensure the difficulty of the math question is appropriate to the examinee. It is preferable to include multiple operations, such as, “How much is 6 times 6, minus 11?” This is so the examinee will have to heavily obligate cognitive resources.
  7. For the fourth question, tell the examinee you will ask: “Have you taken any drugs or medications today?” Exclude any revealed in the pretest.
  8. For the fifth question, tell the examinee that you will ask: “ Regarding this test, do you intend to answer each question truthfully?”
  9. When the question review is complete, have the examinee prepare for the test as usual.
  10. Begin the CVOS. Ask each question about 25 seconds apart.
  11. Pay attention to which question(s) the examinee reacts.
      • Reactions to question 3 (math question) are expected and normal. Their absence may signal a problem.
      • Reactions to question 4 (drugs) may indicate an intended countermeasure. Make a note of any reaction, but do not mention the reaction to the examinee.
      • A reaction to question 5 is necessary. An absence of reaction may necessitate the second review of the examination questions.
      • Hyper- or hypo-reactivity overall indicates more attention is warranted in determining the examinee’s suitability for the examination.
  12. After the CVOS, ask the examinee which question bothered him the most.
      • If he says it was question 3, show him the reaction to demonstrate his responsivity.
      • If he says it was question 4, ask why. Whatever the examinee’s answer, move on.
      • If he says it was question 5, it is considered a good indication that the examinee is focused. Continue with the examination.