The Positive Impact of the Polygraph
Despite its flaws, the polygraph set a new precedent for the use of truth verification technology as part of the police interview process and paved the way for future innovations. The polygraph community has a powerful lobby and loyal users. Many of the examiners trained to use this technology are reluctant to reinvent their skills or invest in newer technology, but approximately thirty of the top polygraph studies show this truth verification tool is not as reliable as they would like to believe. Studies have varied results measuring the accuracy of the polygraph, with estimates ranging from 70 to 90 percent accurate. Furthermore, only 29% of 194 “scientific studies” touted as proof by polygraph advocates met the minimum standards of scientific adequacy, according to the 2003 National Research Council report by the Committee to Review the Scientific Evidence on the Polygraph.
Polygraph evidence has been successfully admitted in court, and nineteen states allow polygraph testimony based on conditions unique to each state. This technology has also been used for pre-employment screening in both the public and private sector. A primary benefit of the polygraph is that it can be used to elicit confessions after examinations if subjects believe deception has been uncovered. But in today’s Internet Age, individuals who are subject to polygraph examinations can access information about the polygraph which was once unobtainable and in some cases, restricted from public release. These individuals have begun to turn the tables on the polygraph by understanding its many shortcomings, as detailed on websites such as antipolygraph.com
| Pros | Cons |
| Legacy system with long history of use in law enforcement and military applications. | Popular use by the public and reality TV has diminished its reputation. |
| Use has been challenged in court, but in some cases, polygraph testimony has been allowed. | Subject to countermeasures, false positive, false negatives, and inconclusive results. |
| Cost of technology has decreased due to competition in the marketplace. | Accuracy rates can vary from 50 percent to 87.5 percent. |
| The polygraph process is well-known due to exposure in the media/popular culture. | The examination is lengthy and requires a subject to remain still while hooked up to numerous sensors. |
| The American Polygraph Association has a strong foundation with 2,700 plus members who lobby on behalf of the technology. | The polygraph examiner training is expensive and requires a one-year internship, but there is no recertification option to determine continuing compliance. |
The Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA®): The Next Generation of Truth Verification
The Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA®) was born out of a need to improve the measurement of psychophysiological associated with deception. In 1970, Olaf Lippold discovered the muscle “microtremor.” Based upon this discovery, three former U.S. Army officers formed Dektor Counterintelligence and Security, Inc. and created a technology to measure the “Lippold tremor” in the human voice. This became the first Voice Stress Analysis (VSA) tool.
NITV Federal Services’ founder, Charles Humble, refined this technology and debuted the CVSA® in 1988. This device also measures psychophysiological changes in response to direct questions, but unlike the polygraph, it focuses solely on changes in voice frequency controlled by involuntary muscles. In other words, there is no way for a human to control the reactions measured by the CVSA®. Using only a microphone and the CVSA® instrument, the results are charted to indicate stress associated with “deception” or “no deception.” With the CVSA®, there are no inconclusive results as there are with the polygraph.
In field and lab studies, the CVSA® has proven to have higher accuracy rates than the polygraph. Professor James Chapman (Professor Emeritus, Former Director of Forensic Crime Laboratory, State University of New York at Corning) and Marigo Stathis (neuro-cognitive scientist and research analyst) conducted a study that showed “of the 329 confession possibilities, 92.1% of the CVSA® examinations produced a ‘Stress Indicated’ result, and 89% of those resulted in validated confessions.” And in “96.4% of interviews conducted, where the CVSA® indicated stress, suspects made self-incriminating confessions.”
| Pros | Cons |
| No known countermeasures and extremely high accuracy rate, very low error rate, no inconclusive results. | Less well-known than the polygraph. |
| Ease of use, shorter examination time required, strong portability, and requires only a microphone attached to the interview subject. | None. |
| Adaptability of use for analyzing pre-recorded materials or use over phone or Internet. | None. |
| Many polygraph examiners have transferred their skills in truth verification analysis to the CVSA®. | Polygraph organizations have campaigned for over 40 years to dissuade polygraph examiners from switching to the CVSA®. |
Addressing Many Polygraph Issues with Innovative Technology
The CVSA III® has solved many of the problems relating to the polygraph. Scientific research and advancements in digital technology have allowed for more adaptive uses of CVSA® truth verification technology, more accurate results, and data that is easier to comprehend than the polygraph system. Below, we’ve provided a value comparison between both technologies:
CVSA III® / POLYGRAPH COMPARISON
| FEATURE | CVSA III® | POLYGRAPH |
| ACCURACY |
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| EASE OF USE |
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| PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS | FM frequencies in the voice | Heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration, respiration, and movement detected by countermeasures’ sensors |
| COUNTERMEASURES | No known countermeasures | Subject to multiple physical and psychological countermeasures which are well-known online |
| AVERAGE COMBINED ERROR RATE (FALSE POSITIVE, FALSE NEGATIVE, AND INCONCLUSIVE) | Less than ½% | 30-40% (based on National Academy of Science data) |
| INITIAL COST OF SYSTEM WITH WARRANTY | $10,995.00 (including Dell computer with 4-year warranty and 2 training slots) | $6,400 for system only, training and computer not included. With training (around $7,500) and computer (around $1,500) total cost approx: $15,400. |
| LENGTH OF TRAINING FOR EXAMINERS |
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| INTERVIEW TECHNIQUE DESIGNED FOR TECHNOLOGY | Defense Barrier Removal (DBR®) System—a rapport building methodology | The Reid Technique—an accusatory method that has led to lawsuits and false confessions. |
| CONDITIONS OR SITUATIONS THAT PRECLUDE TESTING: DRUGS, MEDICAL CONDITION, MENTAL STATE, OR AGE | No | Yes, multiple |
| AVERAGE NUMBER OF EXAMS THAT CAN BE CONDUCTED PER DAY. | Four to six (examinations typically last 45-90 minutes depending on the type of examination) | Two (examinations are a minimum of 2-3 hours and often longer) |
| AGENCIES USING THE TECHNOLOGY |
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Although the polygraph has been the accepted “lie detection” technology for many years, the CVSA® has made significant inroads and is now becoming the new benchmark to validate truthfulness. Many CVSA® Examiners came from the polygraph world and found they could be more effective using this system—they can conduct more examinations, focus on clear results, and show their interview subjects exactly where they were exhibiting stress in response to questions. The polygraph community’s hold on truth verification is waning because they haven’t kept pace with the current data-driven environment where adaptability is key—that means user friendly technology, interconnectedness of applications with other technologies such as mobile and cloud-based systems, and, of course, accurate results. We owe a debt to the inventors of this historical system but also have a duty to recognize obsolescence and continue to develop new technology built on tested scientific foundations.
As a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the field of truth verification technology, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the nuances surrounding polygraph and Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA®) technologies. My extensive experience allows me to navigate the complexities of these systems, their applications, and their impact on legal and investigative processes.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the article:
Polygraph Overview:
- Pros:
- Long history in law enforcement and military.
- Legacy system with a recognized reputation.
- Acknowledged by the American Polygraph Association (APA).
- Cons:
- Diminished reputation due to public and reality TV use.
- Challenged in court with varying accuracy estimates (70-90%).
- Susceptible to countermeasures and inconclusive results.
- Lengthy examination process with physical constraints on subjects.
Polygraph in Legal Context:
- Admitted in court in various states.
- Used for pre-employment screening.
- Allows for eliciting confessions post-examination.
- However, subject to criticism with only 29% of touted scientific studies meeting standards.
Introduction of CVSA®:
- Developed in 1988 by NITV Federal Services’ founder, Charles Humble.
- Focuses on voice frequency changes linked to involuntary muscles.
- No known countermeasures, shorter examination time, and high accuracy rates.
CVSA® Advantages:
- Pros:
- Accuracy rates >98% in field and lab studies.
- No inconclusive results.
- No known countermeasures.
- Easy to use with strong portability.
- Cons:
- Less well-known than the polygraph.
Comparative Analysis:
- Accuracy:
- CVSA® claims >98% accuracy, while polygraph estimates vary.
- Polygraph eliminates inconclusive results to inflate accuracy.
- Ease of Use:
- CVSA® portable and adaptable to various settings.
- Polygraph requires a controlled office-like setting with sensors.
- Physiological Measurements:
- CVSA® focuses on voice frequencies.
- Polygraph measures heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration, respiration, and movement.
- Countermeasures:
- CVSA® has no known countermeasures.
- Polygraph susceptible to various physical and psychological countermeasures.
Training and Costs:
- CVSA®:
- Two free training slots, five days, no internship.
- Recertification every two years.
- Initial cost around $10,995.
- Polygraph:
- Eight weeks of training with an additional year of internship.
- Recertification every two years with a one-year grace period.
- Initial cost around $6,400, but with additional expenses.
Interview Techniques:
- CVSA®: Defense Barrier Removal (DBR®) System.
- Polygraph: The Reid Technique, which has led to lawsuits and false confessions.
Conditions Precluding Testing:
- CVSA®: None specified.
- Polygraph: Drugs, medical conditions, mental state, or age.
Examination Metrics:
- CVSA®: Four to six exams per day, lasting 45-90 minutes.
- Polygraph: Two exams per day, lasting a minimum of 2-3 hours.
Technology Adoption:
- CVSA®: Used by approximately 2,600 police agencies, correctional facilities, U.S. and foreign military, federal courts, and various government agencies.
- Polygraph: Historically accepted but facing challenges due to CVSA® advancements.
In conclusion, the CVSA® emerges as a technologically advanced and adaptable alternative to the polygraph, addressing many of its limitations. The shift toward CVSA® reflects the need for user-friendly technology in a data-driven environment, signaling the evolving landscape of truth verification. The article underscores the importance of recognizing technological obsolescence and embracing innovative solutions built on tested scientific foundations.
