CPE CPE Countermeasure Detection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following behaviors during a polygraph examination should alert an examiner to potential countermeasure use?
- Normal respiratory rate throughout
- Visible muscle tension in the lower body timed with control questions (Correct answer)
- Slight perspiration at test start
- Requesting a bathroom break before the examination
Correct answer: Visible muscle tension in the lower body timed with control questions
Visible lower-body muscle tension—such as pressing toes down or flexing leg muscles—timed specifically with control questions is a classic indicator of physical countermeasure use.
Question 2: How does a trained polygraph examiner typically address suspected countermeasure use during an ongoing examination?
- Immediately terminate the examination and call law enforcement
- Administer additional chart runs and address the behavior in post-test (Correct answer)
- Ignore it and score only the first chart
- Publicly accuse the subject mid-examination
Correct answer: Administer additional chart runs and address the behavior in post-test
Examiners typically continue collecting data, administer additional chart runs, and then address suspected countermeasure activity during the post-test phase to preserve examination validity.
Question 3: What role does the activity sensor (seat pad or floor mat) play in countermeasure detection?
- It measures room temperature fluctuations
- It detects physical movements that may indicate countermeasure attempts (Correct answer)
- It records the examiner's movement for quality control
- It monitors the subject's weight for health purposes
Correct answer: It detects physical movements that may indicate countermeasure attempts
An activity or motion sensor records physical movements by the subject, allowing examiners to correlate muscle activity with specific questions and identify potential physical countermeasures.
Question 4: Which type of countermeasure involves using pharmacological substances (e.g., tranquilizers or stimulants) to alter polygraph outcomes?
- Mechanical countermeasures
- Chemical countermeasures (Correct answer)
- Cognitive countermeasures
- Thermal countermeasures
Correct answer: Chemical countermeasures
Chemical countermeasures involve using drugs—such as anti-anxiety medications, beta-blockers, or other substances—to dampen or alter physiological responses during a polygraph examination.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the 'eyes-open/eyes-closed' or 'sit quietly' instruction given before chart collection?
- To reduce examiner liability
- To establish a stable physiological baseline and reduce spontaneous movement (Correct answer)
- To test the subject's compliance
- To allow the recording software to auto-calibrate
Correct answer: To establish a stable physiological baseline and reduce spontaneous movement
Requiring the subject to sit quietly before each chart establishes a stable baseline, making it easier to detect deviations caused by relevant questions or countermeasure activity.
Question 6: Which research finding is most significant regarding the impact of antiperspirants on electrodermal activity (EDA) during polygraph examinations?
- Antiperspirants have no measurable effect on EDA signals
- Antiperspirants can significantly reduce EDA amplitude, potentially masking responses (Correct answer)
- Antiperspirants increase EDA amplitude unpredictably
- Antiperspirants only affect abdominal breathing patterns
Correct answer: Antiperspirants can significantly reduce EDA amplitude, potentially masking responses
Antiperspirants block sweat ducts, which can reduce electrodermal activity amplitude; some subjects have been known to apply them to the fingertips as a chemical countermeasure against EDA detection.
CPE CPE Countermeasure Detection 2
Which of the following behaviors during a polygraph examination should alert an examiner to potential countermeasure use?