An Interview with Stoelting on their new CPS II

Polygraph Chat Room

An Interview with Stoelting who is introducing their new CPS II system
an interview by Ralph Hilliard
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An interview with Mark Cochran, Executive Vice President
of the Stoelting Company
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PP: Mark, I remember first hearing the name Stoelting
about 10 years ago when I was working as a private
investigator in my Mother's (Dee Moody) Polygraph & PI
Business.

She was using a Lafayette Analog and an Axciton
Computerized at the time, but each time the Stoelting
name came up, I remember getting the impression from
people's comments that Stoelting has been the steady,
stable giant of polygraph for many years. Exactly how
long has Stoelting been in the polygraph business?

MARK: We cataloged our first polygraph in 1930 and we
estimate that over 24,000 instruments have been sold
since then. Many of them are still in use, judging from
our sales of chart paper and replacement pens.

PP: That is a ton of instruments...literally. Of course,
the focus now is on your newest computerized polygraph
system, the CPS II. Tell me about some of the differences
between the old CPS and this new one.

MARK: The CPS II incorporates some of the best features
of the original CPS and offers many more features in a
new package.

For example, the original CPS was limited to six
channels inputs while the new CPS II has a total of
eight channels. The additional channels are Skin
Potential/Auxiliary and a Audio Marking channel that
records the onset and offset of the subject's response
to the examiners questions.

The new system also allows recording of video in sync
with the charts or the entire interview from start to
last chart.

Another change is that the new system uses a USB
connection to the computer so an external power supply
is no longer necessary.

We also reduced the size of the sensor processor and
supply a handy storage case with the instrument. The
compact instrument itself weighs less than a pound.

In summary, I'd say we kept the best features of the
old CPS, including the exclusive scientific based
Utah scoring algorithm, and combined it with new
circuit designs that add more operating features.

PP: Video recording seems to a hot topic with new
instruments, tell me a little about how yours works.

MARK: Well, the CPS II software can control a user
supplied web camera to record onto the computers hard
drive. You can choose to record the entire test from
the pre-test interview to the exit interview, just like
you would with a video camera. Or, just record the video
in sync when collecting a chart.

One of the most convenient features when recording with
the charts only is that the CPS II will turn on the
camera automatically when the chart starts and turn it
off when the charts are ended. When the chart is played
back, you will see the video and hear the audio in sync
with the chart movement. The video then becomes a part
of the subject's total CPS II data file.

PP: Glad to see that your new instrument is 'video ready'.
I also believe that countermeasure detection is becoming
increasingly important. How does your new system handle
this growing problem?

MARK: In reality, the best defense against
countermeasures is a well trained and experienced
examiner. However, we do provide a countermeasure
channel and sensor that can aid the examiner in
detecting subject movement. We use a sensor that is
placed in the seat of the polygraph chair. Any movement
generates voltage that is amplified and shows up on the
chart in the same time scale. It is easy to see the
movement marking in conjunction with the other chart
signals.

PP: Okay, now for a tough question. Analog vs.
Computerized. Being in my position, I get emails from both
sides. I've heard from die-hard analog users and equally
adamant computerized users that feel everyone needs to
convert. How do you handle the 'conversion process' and
where do you stand on encouraging analog users to switch.

MARK: Most of the analog to computerized conversions
are done by the examiners themselves. We don't try to
convert them directly. We feel if an examiner is
comfortable with an analog instrument they should
continue to use it. Our experience, however, is that
when they do sit down and start using the computer they
seldom ever go back to the analog instrument.

Most of the polygraph schools now stress the
computerized systems over the analog and that is another
source of new users.

PP: Let's take a glimpse into the future for a minute.
What do you see coming in polygraph instrument
technology?

MARK: There is a lot of research going on for
alternatives to the polygraph and we are carefully
monitoring that research through our associates in the
academic community.

There may be new polygraph technology introduced in the
future, but our sense of the industry tells us that the
traditional polygraph measurements and techniques will
be viable for years to come. There is over 90 years of
research experience with the traditional polygraph
measurement and any new techniques will have a to stand
up to that record.

PP: I imagine you will certainly be displaying your new
'wares' for everyone to see at the upcoming APA Seminar
in Orlando; What should examiners look for who are
attending and want to see the new instrument?

MARK: The APA Seminar is the most important polygraph
event of the year and we will have a full display of an
operating CPS II in our booth, and at our product
demonstration. I believe that demonstration will be in
Classroom C on Wednesday night at 6:30 PM. We certainly
invite all your readers to come by, have some
refreshments with us and see the new product.

PP: I certainly hope that many will do so. Mark, thanks so
much for your time. If some of my readers want to get some
more information on the new instrument right now, where do
they go?

MARK: They can visit the website at:
http://www.stoeltingco.com or call us at 800.860.9775.

PP: Excellent. Thanks again Mark.

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