Report Writing Flashcards

A polygraph report is being prepared for use in a civil lawsuit. Which additional consideration should the examiner address beyond standard reporting?

Answer: The report should clearly state the legal standards of admissibility applicable in that jurisdiction

When a report is prepared for civil litigation, noting the applicable evidentiary and admissibility standards for that jurisdiction helps the receiving parties understand its legal weight.

What is the primary reason polygraph reports should avoid using acronyms without first spelling them out?

Answer: Undefined acronyms may be misunderstood by non-specialist readers such as attorneys or judges

Reports are read by attorneys, judges, and investigators who may not be familiar with polygraph-specific acronyms, so full spelling-out on first use ensures clarity.

When a subject refuses to answer a specific relevant question during the examination, how should this be reflected in the report?

Answer: The refusal should be documented, including the question and any explanation the subject offered

Refusals must be documented accurately, including which question was refused and any reason given, without automatically inferring deception.

Which of the following best illustrates proper language for a polygraph report conclusion?

Answer: 'Physiological data indicated significant responses to the relevant questions, supporting a conclusion of Deception Indicated.'

Conclusions must be grounded in physiological data language and formal conclusion terminology rather than moral or colloquial characterizations.

In a federal security clearance polygraph report, what is typically required regarding the disclosure of examination topics that are classified?

Answer: The report must follow classification handling protocols, potentially using a classified addendum

Federal security clearance reports involving classified topics must follow proper classification handling, which may include a separately controlled classified addendum.

What should an examiner do if post-examination review reveals that a chart was inadvertently labeled with the wrong stimulus number?

Answer: Correct the label, document the correction with date and reason, and note it in the report addendum

Mislabeled charts must be corrected with a documented amendment notation to preserve data integrity and the chain of custody.

Which of the following information should appear on every page of a multi-page polygraph report to ensure document integrity?

Answer: Subject identifier, examination date, and page number

Every page should carry the subject identifier, date, and page number to prevent pages from being separated, lost, or substituted.