CPE Testing Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the Utah Zone Comparison Technique (ZCT), what is the primary purpose of the sacrifice relevant question?
- To establish a baseline reading at the start of the test
- To desensitize the examinee to relevant topic areas and adapt their responses (Correct answer)
- To introduce an irrelevant topic to calm the examinee
- To replace a comparison question when the examinee shows no reaction
Correct answer: To desensitize the examinee to relevant topic areas and adapt their responses
The sacrifice relevant question in Utah ZCT is placed early to desensitize the examinee to the relevant issue and reduce anticipatory reactions to later relevant questions.
Question 2: Which chart position in a multi-chart polygraph series is typically considered least reliable for scoring?
- The second chart
- The third chart
- The first chart (Correct answer)
- The last chart
Correct answer: The first chart
The first chart is often considered least reliable because examinees may not yet be fully adapted to the instrumentation, environment, or questioning process.
Question 3: In the Comparison Question Test format, what characteristic distinguishes a 'strong' comparison question from a 'weak' one?
- A strong comparison question is longer and more detailed than a weak one
- A strong comparison question is more emotionally charged and believable as problematic to the examinee (Correct answer)
- A strong comparison question uses past tense while a weak one uses present tense
- A strong comparison question is placed closer to the relevant questions in the sequence
Correct answer: A strong comparison question is more emotionally charged and believable as problematic to the examinee
A strong comparison question evokes genuine psychological concern in truthful examinees, making it more likely to produce a physiological response that differentiates innocent from deceptive subjects.
Question 4: What is the recommended minimum stimulation test (stim test) procedure when an examinee appears unresponsive to polygraph instrumentation?
- Administer a known-solution card test where the examiner knows the selected card (Correct answer)
- Ask the examinee to deliberately lie about their age
- Administer a peak of tension test on a neutral topic
- Skip the stimulation test and proceed directly to the relevant test
Correct answer: Administer a known-solution card test where the examiner knows the selected card
A known-solution card test, where the examiner knows which card was selected, demonstrates the polygraph's accuracy to the examinee and verifies instrument responsivity.
Question 5: During polygraph chart collection, what action should the examiner take if an examinee moves or coughs mid-chart?
- Stop the chart immediately and discard it from scoring
- Note the artifact on the chart and continue, then run an additional chart later if needed (Correct answer)
- Terminate the examination and reschedule
- Ignore the movement and score the chart as normal
Correct answer: Note the artifact on the chart and continue, then run an additional chart later if needed
Artifacts should be noted directly on the chart at the time they occur; if they contaminate critical question data, an additional chart may be collected to ensure adequate data.
Question 6: What is the standard inter-question interval (silent answer period) recommended by most polygraph schools between questions?
- 5 to 8 seconds
- 15 to 25 seconds (Correct answer)
- 30 to 45 seconds
- 60 seconds or more
Correct answer: 15 to 25 seconds
A 15–25 second inter-question interval allows sufficient time for physiological responses to develop and return to baseline before the next question is asked.
Question 7: When conducting a directed lie comparison question (DLC) test, how is the examinee instructed to respond to comparison questions?
- To answer 'no' truthfully to all comparison questions
- To deliberately lie and answer 'no' when the true answer is 'yes' (Correct answer)
- To remain silent while focusing on the question topic
- To answer comparison questions as quickly as possible
Correct answer: To deliberately lie and answer 'no' when the true answer is 'yes'
In the DLC format, examinees are told to deliberately lie on comparison questions so the examiner can observe a confirmed deceptive response pattern for calibration.
CPE Testing Procedures 2
During the Utah Zone Comparison Technique (ZCT), what is the primary purpose of the sacrifice relevant question?