Question Formulation--week 2

Question 1

What is the central element of any polygraph exam?

Answer 1

The examinee’s response to a set of questions.

Question 2

Define Relevant Question

Answer 2

The questions asked during a polygraph examination that pertain directly to the matter under investigation for which the examinee is being tested.

Question 3

What are two types of Relevant Questions?

Answer 3

1. Primary
2. Secondary

Question 4

Describe the function and construction of Primary Relevant Questions.

Answer 4

1. They address the primary issue.
2. They test direct involvement.
3. They use an action verb to describe the act.
4. They require a “no” answer. (“yes” is sometimes permitted.)

Question 5

When would a “yes” answer be allowed for a Primary Relevant Question?

Answer 5

When conducting confirmatory testing:

• informants
• victims
• witnesses

In these instances, the issue is the examinee’s truthfulness, not their conduct pertaining to a crime.

Question 6

Define a Secondary Relevant Question

Answer 6

1. Secondary involvement–help, plan, participate
2. Guilty knowledge questions–seeing, hearing, knowing
3. Evidence connecting–involved with evidence or aware of nature or location of evidence
4. Physical acts that support–Actions that support primary issue such as tearing, cutting, breaking, etc.
5. It does not address direct involvement
6. It requires a “no” answer.
7. Always in R10 in ZCT

Question 7

What is significant about Secondary Relevant Questions regarding the crime?

Answer 7

The questions and answers are not about criminal acts, but can provide an avenue for the examinee to admit involvement (minimized) in the incident under investigation.

Question 8

Give examples of what the Secondary Relevant Questions address and test

Answer 8

• A secondary issue – did the examinee assist, plan, or participate in any way?
• Tests for guilty knowledge – did the examinee see or hear, or does he know of the crime?
• It does not address direct involvement
• These require a “No” answer.

Question 9

How is a Secondary Relevant Question used to connect the examinee with the evidence?

Answer 9

Is the examinee aware of the nature or location of various items of evidence?

“Do you know where any of that stolen money was disposed?”

“Did you touch that weapon used to shoot that man?”

Question 10

How is a Secondary Relevant Question used to determine if the examine has guilty knowledge?

Question 11

What type of question addresses the primary issue?

Answer 11

Primary Relevant Question

Question 12

What type of Relevant Question addresses direct involvement?

Answer 12

Primary Relevant

Question 13

What type of question is this?

“Did you help steal any of that money?”

Answer 13

Secondary Involvement Relevant

Question 14

What are the two critical guidelines used for Relevant Question construction?

Answer 14

1. Target selection
2. Proper relevant question construction.

Question 15

What are 4 more guiding principles when constructing relevant questions?

Answer 15

1. Determine the # of issues, then select the most serious issue.
2. Focus on the action that describes what the suspect did to commit the act.
3. Focus on the probable motive of the suspect.
4. Select the target that connects the suspect most closely to the crime.

Question 16

What are things to consider in target selection?

Answer 16

1. Determine the most serious offense.
2. Consider the amount of confinement for each offense.
3. Consider the emotional power of each offense.
4. What do I want to know? –Focus on the action of the offense. “Did you shoot that man?”

Question 17

What is a Comparison Question?

Answer 17

1. Directed Lie
2. Probable Lie

Question 18

Avoid asking questions that probe the suspect’s ______________ or ____________

Answer 18

perceptions or intentions

Question 19

While determining the target, you should consider the suspect’s ______________

Answer 19

motive

Break-in where TV is stolen.

“Did you steal that TV?”

Question 20

What are Relevant Test Question Construction Rules?

Answer 20

1. The meaning must be unmistakable.
2. The examinee must be smart enough to understand the question.
3. Extra verbiage makes the question confusing.
4. Keep the question clear and concise.

Question 21

What choices for an answer must you present to the examinee?

Answer 21

Yes or no

The examinee’s position on the issue must be clear.

Question 22

What are three examples of PLC modifiers?

Answer 22

• “other than what you told me, …”
• “besides what you told me, …”
• Other than that one time, …”

Question 23

Salience presumes __________

Answer 23

That the examinee will focus his attention on that question that holds the greatest significance (signal value).

Question 24

What questions will a truthful person be concerned with?

Answer 24

the Comparison Questions

Question 25

Describe some elements of a Probable Lie Question

Answer 25

1. Similar in nature to the relevant issue. 2. Isolated from relevant issue by time or place or catagory (exclusive v inclusive) 3. Use action verbs that are same or similar in nature. 4. They are broad in time and scope--***_not_*** clear and concise. 5. Any admissions to comparison questions will require modification.

Question 26

Describe a basic premise of a Probable Lie Question.

Answer 26

1. It will elicit a response that is a denial of a misdeed that a person has more than likely engaged in or considered. 2. It should be similar in nature, but _unrelated_ to the specific crime being tested. Relevant--"Did you steal that money?" PLC--"Before 1999, did you ever steal anything of value?"

Question 27

Is the PLC for the deceptive person or the truthful person?

Answer 27

truthful

Question 28

How should a PLC be separated from a Relevant issue?

Answer 28

By Time--"prior to..." Place--"Before you came to Texas..." Catagory--not related to this investigation

Question 29

Provide a similar action verb _Relevant _ _ Comparison_ Steal \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Shoot \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Set Fire \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Sex \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Drugs \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Lie \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Damage \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Answer 29

Steal--steal shoot--hurt/harm Set fire--damage/destroy Sex--Sex Drugs--Contraband Lie--Lie Damage--damage

Question 30

Are PLC Questions broad or narrow

Answer 30

Broad in time and scope They should capture as much of the examinee's past experience as possible.

Question 31

# Define _Sacrifice Relevant_ Question

Answer 31

The question designed as an introduction to the relevant issue. Because the examinee usually responds to the first relevant question, whether innocent or guilty, the question is not evaluated.

Question 32

Guidelines for *_Sacrifice Relevant_* questions

Answer 32

1. The question is worded to be answered with a "yes." 2. "*Regarding that stolen pistol*, do you intend to answer each question truthfully?"

Question 33

What is a *Symptomatic Question*?

Answer 33

A question designed to test for an outside issue

Question 34

What is a neutral question?

Answer 34

1. One that is designed to allow the orienting response to habituate. 2. It can be inserted anywhere in the exam to allow the examinee to return to homeostasis. 3. Cannot be related to the testing issue. 4. Worded so the examinee answers "yes." "Are you now in Texas?" or "Are the lights on in this room?" or "Is today Tuesday?"

Question 35

What are: 1. secondary involvement 2. guilty knowledge 3. evidence connecting 4. physical acts

Answer 35

Secondary Relevant questions

Question 36

What type of question is *"Did you shoot the man?"*

Answer 36

Primary Relevant

Question 37

When would a Relevant question be formulated to elicit a "yes" answer? ## Footnote

Answer 37

When confirming truthfulness of: Victim Witness Informant

Question 38

What is the function and what are the elements of a primary relevant question?

Answer 38

1. It addresses the primary issue. 2. It tests for direct involvement. 3. It uses an action verb to describe the action. 4. It requires a "No" answer.

Question 39

Name the types of Relevant Questions ## Footnote

Answer 39

1. Primary 2. Secondary

Question 40

Define a Relevant Question

Answer 40

A question that pertains directly to the matter under investigation for which the examinee is being tested.

Question 41

How many types of polygraph questions are there?

Answer 41

5 ## Footnote 1. Relevant 2. Comparison 3. Neutral 4. Sacrifice Relevant 5. Symptomatic

Question 42

Describe Cognitive Theory

Answer 42

"Did you do it?" causes the examinee to *think* about the issue. It causes him to *think* about his involvement It causes him to *think* about any of his actions

Question 43

How does the question "Did you do it?" affect emotions? ## Footnote

Answer 43

It addresses and effects the goals, standards, and attitudes of the examinee.

Question 44

What are the three theories that are foundational for polygraphs? ## Footnote

Answer 44

Emotional Cognitive Behavioral