In the advertising materials of many polygraph examiners, it is often indicated that with the help of a polygraph they can detect a lie with a probability of 100%, which is an outright deception and misleading a potential client. As a result of the largest study (meta-analysis) of the validity of polygraph testing methods, which was conducted by the American polygraph association from 2007 to 2012, it was found that out of almost 200 different methods of polygraph testing, only 11 can achieve an accuracy of testing within 86-92%, provided that all requirements of valid methods are fully met. Approximately the same accuracy of the results of the study (85-90%) can be obtained using other methods of psychological examination. The accuracy of the final result of the study can be improved by using several independent methods of research, each of which will give a cross-correlated result. So, the use of two independent methods can increase the accuracy of the study up to 92-95%, the use of three independent methods - up to 98-99%, and so on.
As a rule, the result of using three independent methods of psychological examination ensures the accuracy of the study, which is satisfactory for most customers. But there are specific research topics (faithfulness, pre-marital testing, conflict resolution between relatives or with domestic staff) when the customer wants to receive research results with the greatest possible accuracy. For example, if there is an increased feeling of jealousy in one of the spouses, regardless of the result of the study, doubts may arise over the thoroughness of the study over time: either because the suspicions of infidelity were not confirmed, or vice versa, because the existing psychophysiological reactions were misinterpreted by the psychologist.
It is for such cases the Forensic expert kollegium offers a research complex of 5+ methods, which includes:
- detailed psychological research and compilation of a psychological portrait of the interviewed person;
- cognitive interview;
- application of projective research methods;
- application of apperceptive methods of research;
- application of retrospective methods of emotional state research;
- analysis of facial movements;
- examination on a contact polygraph.
When choosing this research complex, the expert uses five independent methods of psychological examination and conducts a complete psychological testing of the personality. The choice of five independent methods of psychological examination is made by the expert depending on the specifics of the situation being examined, the psychological type of the person being questioned, as well as the potential availability of the skills to counter these or other methods. For example, a qualified polygraph examiner can effectively oppose his less qualified colleague during polygraph testing, a competent psychologist can distort the results of a projective study, a psychopathic person can have absent or inadequate facial movements, and a skilled actor can change his emotional state in retrospect. Each such counteraction can lead to the impossibility of giving a conclusion by using only one method, but no subject will be able to comprehensively, synchronously and effectively counteract all applied methods, since such a hypothetical counteraction is beyond the physiological limits of human capabilities. A feature of the research complex of 5+ methods is a video recorded during the entire research process.
Thus, when choosing a research complex of 5+ methods, the maximum possible reliability of research results and the greatest resistance to various methods of countermeasures are achieved.
The disadvantages of this complex include:
- carrying out examinations for two days in a row;
- preparation of the expert report within three working days after the examination.
The research complex of 5+ methods is not conducted in relation to:
- minors;
- pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy);
- persons of retirement age;
- persons with cardiovascular diseases;
- persons with signs of physical or psychological exhaustion;
- persons with an unstable psyche or having clinical signs of mental illness.
In the conclusion of the examination, the intermediate results of the research for each of the methods are described in detail, the justification of the obtained results is given. After carrying out the research complex of 5+ methods, both the customer of the research, the person being examined, and other interested parties will have no reason to doubt the reliability of the expert's conclusions or suspect the successful counteraction of the person being questioned.
Before ordering a polygraph test, spouses should carefully read the recommendations for preparing for the examination and contraindications to polygraph testing.
You can order a research complex of 5+ methods at the Forensic expert kollegium at: Minsk, Zhukovskaga St., 11A, 4th floor
or by phone +375 (17) 317 04 71; +375 (17) 317 04 72; +375 (17) 317 04 73; +375 (17) 317 04 74; +375 (17) 317 04 76; +375 (29) 109 60 11; +375 (29) 397 31 71; +375 (44) 588 60 11
Psychological research is conducted at the Forensic expert kollegium at special premises at: Minsk, Yakubava, 80.
© K.Dadzkou
