PRE-REQUISITES
A. Applicants must meet one of the following education requirements.
1. Have a baccalaureate degree. **
2. Have successfully completed at least two years (60 semester hours) at an accredited college.
Prospective students who enroll in an accredited college program, leading toward an AA degree or higher, may be accepted, but the CERTIFICATE OF GRADUATION will not be issued until proof of completion of 60 hours of college credits is submitted.
3. Have a high school diploma and show evidence of a sufficient combination of law enforcement and/or investigative experience / training.
B. All applicants for the school must also meet the following requirements.
1. Have no record of felony convictions
2. Be at least 21 years of age.
**NOTE: It is recommended that the prospective student inquire concerning the licensing requirements (if there is a license law) in the state in which the prospective student wishes to practice prior to enrolling in this course of study. The education requirements listed in Sections A and B above, are those of the American Polygraph Association.
The successful completion of this A.P.A. accredited program is only one of the necessary pre-requisites for membership in the American Polygraph Association, American Association of Police Polygraphists, National Polygraph Association and other professional associations.
**NOTE: Appropriate credit for previous polygraph education and training will be granted. The student will be advanced to where such credit places him / her and the course shortened accordingly.
REGISTRATION
Class size is deliberately limited. This allows for personalized instruction. Registration is strictly on a first come, first serve basis. Applicants must complete all necessary enrollment procedures prior to being accepted into a class.
TUITION
The course tuition is $5,000 which covers all manuals, textbooks and lab materials. Tuition must be paid in full by the first day of class unless otherwise approved by the school administrator prior to the start of class.
FACILITIES
The school facility consists of 2,000 square feet of space. The school shares this space with a private polygraph firm, Arizona Polygraph Examiners LLC. This arrangement allows the students access to watch live tests being conducted and also gives the students the opportunity to conduct their required tests in professionally equipped polygraph rooms. Each of these rooms are equipped with video cameras for monitoring examinations in progress. The school has the latest in training aids, internet access, remote access video and video monitoring equipment. We also have the latest in professional computerized polygraphs. We have a large library of polygraph information available for student use during the course.
SCHEDULE
Classes are held three times per year. A class will begin in January, April and September of each year.
TRAINING:
This Polygraph Examiner's Course consists of 320 hours of intensive classroom and laboratory study. The course is designed to ensure the graduate will be a competent polygraph examiner, equipped with the knowledge necessary to conduct conclusive polygraph examinations in a professional and ethical manner. The major subjects taught are as follows:
1. HISTORY OF POLYGRAPH: A complete history will be presented of the origin and development of the science of detection of deception, including various methods and techniques of the past and present. The history of polygraph schools, scientific research done and how it became related to the profession; as well as the many people who contributed to the advance of polygraph as we know it today.
2. MECHANICS OF INSTRUMENT OPERATION: A comprehensive study of the instruments used in polygraph. How each component works and the functions each of the components perform. This includes how the polygraph chart is produced and the professional and ethical marking of the chart that is universally accepted.
3. TEST QUESTION CONSTRUCTION: Instructions and practical exercises on the theory, selection, preparation, and phrasing of the various types of questions used in polygraph.
4. POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUES: A complete explanation of the nature, purpose, structure and sequence of the various types of polygraph tests administered during polygraph examinations: This includes the Zone Techniques, the MGQT Technique, the DLST and the Relevant/Irrelevant Technique. A comprehensive study of the psychology and methodology of administering a pre-employment polygraph examination, learn the technique used, and how to construct and ask questions used in this type of examination for Federally-exempted positions.
5. CHART ANALYSIS: Comprehensive and detailed explanation of the theory of polygraph chart interpretations; methods of comparing the graphic indices of truth and deception; determinant factors that affect polygraph response and steps involved in rendering an accurate opinion of truth or deception. There are practical exercises in chart interpretation conducted in class. Hands-on with Computer Analysis of the Charts. This highly technical program enhances, complements and supplements the examiner's opinion.
6. INSTRUMENT MAINTENANCE: Proper maintenance of the polygraph instrument, trouble-shooting methodology and simple field repair is taught along with how to perform functionality checks of the instrument and proper documentation.
7. POLYGRAPH RESEARCH: Students will be given the latest in research, showing the validity and reliability of polygraph techniques.
8. INTERVIEWING PROCEDURES: Intensive study of pre-test interviewing and post-test interrogation to give the examiner the skills needed for obtaining admissions and/or confessions from a subject found deceptive when examined by means of the polygraph.
9. ETHICS: Information on the ethical and moral standards required of every professional polygraph examiner, regarding the examiner, examinee, the chart and other interested parties. The use of confidentiality and ethics of submitted oral and written reports.
10. POLYGRAPH SKILLS: This is hands-on training in the use of the polygraph instrument. Only computerized instruments will be utilized. Students will be supervised and critiqued by staff examiners. Simulated and realistic situations will be utilized in professionally equipped polygraph examination rooms.
11. LEGAL ISSUES: Basic legal matters pertaining to criminal and civil polygraph testing will be given by a qualified guest instructor who knows and understands polygraph and the legal issues involved.
12. PSYCHOLOGICAL & PHYSIOLOGICAL : Lectures in general physiology with specialized instruction in the respiratory, electrodermal, cardiovascular, muscular and nervous systems of the human body as they relate to the reactions and responses recorded by the polygraph instrument. Education in general psychology with emphasis on human behavior and how different personality disorders may affect the outcome of a polygraph examination.
13. REVIEWS AND EXAMINATION : This time is set aside for introductions at the beginning of the course and for the polygraph examinations of students. This is also the time for reviewing material previously presented to students, for course examinations and student performance evaluations.