The Relevant Issue - #123 - Post Conviction Sex Offender Polygraph Testing No Less Valid

Polygraph Chat Room

The Relevant Issue
http://www.polygraphplace.com

Issue #123 - May 22, 2005

Relevant Issue Archives:
http://www.polygraphplace.com/articles

____________________________________________________________

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. EDITORIAL: "Time for a mug shot? New Features added to
the basic listings on Polygraph Place"

2 FEATURE ARTICLE: "Polygraph Tests Run On Previously
Convicted Sex Offenders are No Less Valid"
by Ken Blackstone

3. IN THE FORUMS:

PUBLIC FORUM: "Are applicant screening polys for
federal positions videotaped?"

EXAMINERS ONLY FORUM: "I am interested in finding out
how you guys deal with the use of countermeasures
once you suspect them being used during a test..."

There are now 152 examiners registered & approved to
use the private forum. How about you?

4. TRUE POLYGRAPH STORIES: "Momma! Momma! He said I was
lying! by Chuck Lynch

5. UPCOMING SEMINARS: Is your state association having
a seminar anytime in the year 2005/2006?
Please send me the details so we can let everyone
know.

TRI STATE (KS,MO,NE) POLYGRAPH Aug/Sept 2005
SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION September 2005
NEW JERSEY POLYGRAPHISTS September 2005
MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION September 2005
MIDWEST REGIONAL POLYGRAPH September 2005
ALABAMA POLYGRAPH ASSOCIATION Oct/Nov 2005

____________________________________________________________

1. EDITORIAL: "Time for a mug shot? New Features added to
the basic listings on Polygraph Place"

To add even more value to your $25/year listing with the
PolygraphPlace, we've added the ability to upload a
thumbnail picture to help you visually display your
polygraph services.

This picture can be of yourself, your instrument, your
kids or even your dog...whatever you feel will present
you in the best light. The best part is there is NO
CHARGE for this updgrade.

If you have mulitple listings, the same picture will be
shown on all your listings.

To add your picture, all you need to do is log into your
account, click on your address and look near the bottom
of the form for the picture field. Browse your computer
for the picture, click Update Listing and that's it.

Don't worry about the size of the picture, we have a
'smart system' that automatically shrinks the picture for
you.

Now before you go sending me an email about "I forgot my
password or where do I log in again?" here is that
information:

You can also get to this page by going to the home page
of the polygraphplace.com and click the red 'examiner
login' button on the right hand side of the page.

FORGOT PASSWORD:
Once you are on the login page, look for the text below
the fields that says:
"Forgot your username or password?" Click that, put in
the email address that is associated with your listing
and the login information will be mailed to you AT
THAT EMAIL ADDRESS. So if you no longer have that email
address, well then it is time to contact me and I'll
help you out :)

Now, for those of you who have multiple listings, we
have added the ability for you to change some portions
of your information (comments, phone, etc) so that those
changes take place on all your listings at once. This
will save you some time on future changes. This is
available by logging into your personal adminstration
area as shown above.

Finally, we have upgraded to an automated listserver to
help with the signups and distribution of the Relevant
Issue. It is still in its infancy as far as our use, but
will have some powerful features coming down the road.

Here is the new sign up page in case you want to pass
this newsletter on to another examiner friend.

http://polygraphplace.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1

Enjoy the new features!

Ralph Hilliard
The Polygraph Place

(Don't have a listing yet? Receive leads for polygraph
tests all year long for a measley $25! Sign up today!
http://www.polygraphplace.com/docs/listingsinfo.htm

____________________________________________________________

2 FEATURE ARTICLE: "Polygraph Tests Run On Previously
Convicted Sex Offenders are No Less Valid"
by Ken Blackstone

The article below references some research that was
previously done on the 'Friendly Polygraph Examiner
Hypothesis'. If you need to reference this material, you
can download and read it here first:

http://www.polygraphplace.com/fpeh.doc

FEATURE ARTICLE:
A common concern about lack of fear due to a lack of
consequence and whether this has an effect on the outcome
of Maintenance Testing of already convicted sex offenders
has been voiced.

What I would like to refer to as the Lack of Consequence
Hypothesis (LOCH) is similar if not equal in foundation
to the Friendly Polygraph Examiner Hypothesis (FPEH.)

CQT of convicted offenders is based on “differential
reactivity between relevant and comparison questions. A
reduction in fear would reduce the fear associated with
both question types thus maintaining the differential
reactivity between the two.

Two basic assumptions underpin the FPEH: (1) Fear of the
detection of deception is necessary for the CQT to
function. (2) There is no fear of detection of deception
(or other motivation) in a confidential polygraph
examination.”

With the substitution of ‘post-conviction’ for
‘confidential, the same assumptions are the support for
the LOCH. There is no support for these assumptions and
that lack of foundation leads to this examiner’s
conclusion that the LOCH is without basis and emphasizes
the need for CQT in post conviction testing. This is not
a suggestion that fear or lack thereof is an unimportant
factor in management outcome.

What I have learned is that the “fear” must come from
within the deceiver, whether he/she is giving a false
answer to a Comparison or to a Relevant Question.

As an examiner specialized in post conviction testing,
the LOCH is often a topic and it is the basis for my
insistence that testing of convicted sex offenders be
done in a proven CQT format. I have often advised
professions involved in sex offender treatment and
management to present incentives to the subject.

It is my practice and my belief that when an examiner
feels there is insufficient motivation, abort the
examination, call the p.o. and let someone else straighten
things out. If the examiner tries to establish this fear,
the interview will become an interrogation and the
results will be at best questionable.

As an extreme, yet true example; an accused kidnapper
‘failed his polygraph’ when tested by a government
examiner immediately after sixteen hours of interrogation.
I later tested that subject for his attorney. He was
non-deceptive and a month or so later the alleged victim
showed up from her unannounced vacation.

According to the Law of Initial Values, this could have
worked the other way. What if the same subject had been
guilty as charged, but was emotionally and physically
drained, leaving no room for response?

So, yes, fear can have an effect of the outcome of a
polygraph test. But, the “fear factor” comes to the
polygraph office; it is not something the examiner
implants during the pre-test interview.

Motivation might come from a fire-breathing criminal
justice system that stands by the results of examinations
and it might come from a weekly group therapy session that
puts it’s participants through the ringer when they are
deceptive.

I have found that the added expense of missed
appointments, follow-up tests, case-review and paying for
retests on inconclusive examinations that were aborted due
to a lack of cooperation has been very effective.

To ensure motivation, maintenance testing of convicted sex
offenders should always include:

1) CQT formats
2) post test interviews that review deceptive responses
(Relevant and Comparison
3) reporting to all parties within the containment
triangle (therapists and supervising officers)
4) financial penalties for missed appointments
5) a quality control system that includes audio or video
recording of the full session.

By following these rules, presenting yourself as an
objective professional to these offenders and working with
the other professionals in your triangle, examinations
will continue to be accurate, cost-effective and
time-effective.

Ken Blackstone
President - Blackstone Polygraph, Inc.
http://www.polygraphatlanta.com

____________________________________________________________

3. IN THE FORUMS:

*** PUBLIC FORUM ***

"Are applicant screening polys for federal positions
videotaped?"

http://www.polygraphplace.com/ubb/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/000300.html

*** EXAMINERS ONLY FORUM ***

"I am interested in finding out how you guy's deal with
the use of countermeasures once you suspect them being
used during a test..."

To read and respond on this topic, you must have
registered and specifically requested access to the
private part of this forum.

You MUST read AND complete the requirements for joining
this private forum here:
http://www.polygraphplace.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi

Just scroll to the bottom and READ ALL THE DIRECTIONS
under the heading...

*** Polygraph Professionals only - A PRIVATE Forum ***

_____________________________________________________________

4. TRUE POLYGRAPH STORIES: "Momma! Momma! He said I was
lying! by Chuck Lynch

During my 34 years as a polygraph examiner, I had a first
on Friday April 8, 2005. As a contractor for a very few
small town police departments, I get an occasional call
when a polygraph is needed literally yesterday and the
State Police have no appointments for two weeks.

A local manufacturing plant was having daily bomb threats
and it was becoming disruptive and costly to shut down the
assembly line and bring in the fire department to search
for a bomb. After 9/11, a bomb threat is taken much more
seriously.

The local police had a suspect, she was a 20 year old
disgruntled employee who was fired for failing her third
drug test. I went to the small police department and set
up my equipment in an interview room. I was briefed by
the Chief Of Police and had my questions ready when the
suspect and her mother arrived. Mom sat outside in a
waiting area while the daughter came in for the polygraph
examination.

I had decided to take my old Lafayette Ambassador Gold
analog instrument. I completed my pre-test interview and
ran three polygraph charts using a Zone format. I found
out one thing, the old Ambassador GSG was really rolling
out some ink on those relevant questions.

Just as soon as I completed my chart collection, I did not
need to numerically score the charts. Deception was very
evident and I decided to go for the confession. I walked
around in front of the young lady to remove the attachments
and she asked "Did I lie?" I replied "Dd you lie?...That is
an understatement". With the attachmentents still attached,
that young lady bolted from her chair dragging my
Ambassador Gold behind her onto the floor for the door of
the interview room yelling "Momma, Momma, Momma, he said I
was lying"!!.

By this time she had stretched my rubber tubing to the
point they snapped into. I have not used my analog
instrument in three years and just a week ago I got it out
and did a complete overall of inner rubber tubing, new ink
bottles and pens. The analog is my roots and I don't want
to lose sight of my polygraph roots. As far as my Lafayette
Ambassador Gold is concerned, I went to the local hardware
store and bought some rubber tubing and she is back as good
as new. There was no inner damage.

As for my young examinee, the Police Chief took her and
Momma into his office and got the confession I was going
to hopefully get. I panic to think what would have happened
to my laptop computer if it had hit the floor as hard as
that old gold did. A week ago, my gut feelings told me to
get out the analog and use it on my next test. I am so glad
I listened to my gut feelings. Chuck Lynch

Got a true polygraph story that has affected a life in a
significant way? Please send it to:
mailto:support@polygraphplace.com

_____________________________________________________________

5. UPCOMING SEMINARS: Is your state association having
a seminar anytime in the year 2005/2006?
Please send me the details so we can let everyone
know. mailto:support@polygraphplace.com

-----------------------------------------------
- TRI-STATE (KS,MO,NE) POLYGRAPH 2005 SEMINAR -
-----------------------------------------------

When? Aug 31st - Sept 2nd, 2005
Where? Chateau on The Lake - $99/night
Branson, MO.
http://www.chateauonthelakebranson.com
Who? Speaker: Mr. Neal Barker
Includes: Missouri, Kansas & Nebraska Associations

For information contact John M. Hurlock at (816)-739-9951
e-mail: jmhurlock@aol.com
http://www.missouripolygraph.com/seminar.html

-----------------------------------------------------
- SOUTH CAROLINA POLYGRAPH ASSOCIATION 2005 SEMINAR -
-----------------------------------------------------

When? Sept 8th - 9th, 2005
Where? Radison Plaza Hotel ($78 a night)
Myrtle Beach, SC.

Who? Dan Sosnowski and another TBA
How Much? Unknown - contact Robbie Bennett (APA)

For information contact Robbie Bennett at (423) 892-3992
e-mail: manager@polygraph.org

-----------------------------------------
- NEW JERSEY POLYGRAPHISTS 2005 SEMINAR -
-----------------------------------------

When? September 14th-16th, 2005
Where? Freedhold Gardens Hotel $75/night
Freedhold NJ.
Who? Speaker will be Donald Krapohl of DODPI
How Much? $150 for NJP members, $200 non-members

For information contact Thomas DeBruin at 732-229-5226

-----------------------------------------------------
- MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF POLYGRAPH 2005 SEMINAR -
-----------------------------------------------------

When? September 19th - 20th 2005
Where? Golden Moon Hotel & Casino
Philadelphia, MS
How Much? $110 per person
Who? Speakers: Rick Rogers & Bob Campbell

For information contact Bruce Mize at 662-513-7776
or email hrbruce@nmrc.state.ms.us

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- MIDWEST REGIONAL POLYGRAPH 2005 SEMINAR -
-------------------------------------------

When? September 27th - 29th 2005
Where? Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
187 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI
How Much? $100 per person if paid by 7/1/2005
Who? Too many to name - see website below

For information contact Ben Escalante at (616)647-0816
or Kari Bumbleburg at (765) 423-1505 x 211.
http://www.midwestregionalpolygraph.org/

----------------------------------------------
- ALABAMA POLYGRAPH ASSOCIATION 2005 SEMINAR -
----------------------------------------------

When? Oct 29th - Nov 3rd, 2005
Where? Carnival Cruise to Mexico - $482.50/person
Departs Mobile, AL.
Who? Speaker will be Scott Manners
How Much? $482.50 per person covers all costs

For information contact Herbert McCants
email: hmmccants@asdd.com

____________________________________________________________

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