Validity of Outside-Issue Questions in the Control Question Test
Abstract
The impact of a more serious undiscovered crime on the validity of a polygraph test concerning a lesser crime and the utility of specialized outside issue questions to detect the undiscovered crime, was explored in a mock-crime experiment. Comparison question polygraph tests concerning the theft of $1 were given to 192 participants, half of whom had stolen the $1. However, in addition, half the participants also stole $20, and they were told that they could keep the $20 on passing the polygraph concerning the $1. The primary finding was a large significant interaction of Guilt (concerning the $1) and Outside Issue (stealing the $20). Further analyses revealed that contrary to accepted lore in the polygraph profession, the outside issue had its primary effect on the Innocent, moving their scores more than a standard deviation in direction of deception. These results suggest that end users of polygraph examinations should have greater confidence in truthful than in deceptive outcomes. The outside issue questions were not able to detect the presence of an outside issue. Field polygraph examiners should not rely on outside issue questions to detect the presence or absence of outside issues concerning their polygraph subjects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 21, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA376666
Entities
People
- Anne Gordon
- Charles R Honts
- Susan Amato
Organizations
- Boise State University