ASTM E2031-99(2016)

Standard Practice for Quality Control of Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph) Examinations

ABSTRACT
This practice establishes essential and recommended procedures for the conduct of quality control for a Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) examination, or polygraph examinations. The procedures state that all PDD examinations may be subjected to a quality control review. Experienced examiners who are trained in the PDD format utilized by the original examiner are qualified to conduct a quality control review of an examination. A quality control review shall be independent and objective and meet all applicable ASTM standards. The quality control process should involve the review of test data analysis of all charts collected, questions and answers utilized, the PDD report, among others. The person conducting the quality control review shall attest, in writing, as to whether the test data supports the conclusion rendered by the original examiner. All PDD documents and test data shall remain available for a quality control review for no less than a year or until the incident or circumstance requiring the examination to be conducted has been completely adjudicated.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice establishes essential and recommended procedures for the conduct of quality control for a Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) examination.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2015
• ICS: 11.040.55 - Diagnostic equipment
• Technical Committee: E52 - Forensic Psychophysiology
• Drafting Committee: E52.03 - Quality Control

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2031-99(2010) - Standard Practice for Quality Control of Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph) Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2016
• Refers: ASTM E2035-12(2024) - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM E2035-12(2017) - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• Refers: ASTM E2035-12 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM E2035-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2011
• Refers: ASTM E2035-10a - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2010
• Refers: ASTM E2035-10 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2010
• Refers: ASTM E2035-07e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2007
• Refers: ASTM E2035-07 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2007
• Refers: ASTM E2035-05a - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005
• Refers: ASTM E2035-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Refers: ASTM E2035-04 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Refers: ASTM E2035-03 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Refers: ASTM E2035-02 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002
• Refers: ASTM E2035-01a - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 10-Feb-2002

Overview

ASTM E2031-99(2016), titled Standard Practice for Quality Control of Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph) Examinations, establishes standardized procedures to ensure consistent and objective quality control for polygraph and Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) examinations. Developed by ASTM Committee E52 on Forensic Psychophysiology, this standard aims to uphold professional practices in forensic psychophysiology by requiring a systematic, independent, and objective review of polygraph examinations.

The standard outlines essential quality control measures, recommending that trained and qualified examiners review PDD tests for accuracy, integrity, and adherence to ASTM protocols. This process supports the validity and reliability of PDD examination results, particularly in forensic and legal contexts.

Key Topics

• Quality Control Reviews: All PDD/polygraph examinations are subject to independent and objective quality control to maintain high standards.
• Qualified Examiners: Quality control must be conducted by experienced polygraph examiners, knowledgeable in the test format used for the original examination.
• Review Scope: The review covers all test data, charts, questions, answers, the PDD report, electronic recordings, and supplementary documentation.
• Documentation and Record-Keeping: All PDD-related records must be retained and available for quality control review for at least one year, or until the completion of any related proceedings.
• Objectivity and Independence: Reviewers must be unbiased and free from undue influence from original examiners to ensure a fair assessment.
• Written Attestation: The reviewer must provide formal, written confirmation regarding whether the test data supports the original examiner’s conclusions.
• Compliance with ASTM Standards: All procedures and reviews must meet ASTM's established requirements for forensic psychophysiology.

Applications

The practice detailed in ASTM E2031-99(2016) is vital for several professional settings:

• Forensic Laboratories: Quality control ensures the reliability of polygraph results used in criminal or civil investigations.
• Legal Proceedings: Courts and tribunals rely on standardized quality control procedures to determine the admissibility and credibility of polygraph evidence.
• Law Enforcement Agencies: Demonstrating adherence to recognized quality control standards can support the integrity of internal and external investigations.
• Private Polygraph Examiners: Independent practitioners use this standard as a benchmark to maintain best practices and reduce liability.
• Quality Assurance in Forensic Science: Ensures that all examinations meet documented and reproducible forensic standards, supporting overall accountability.

Related Standards

To ensure comprehensive understanding and implementation, users of ASTM E2031-99(2016) should also be familiar with related standards:

• ASTM E2035 - Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Other ASTM E52 Committee Standards - Covering areas of forensic psychophysiology, quality assurance, and reporting practices

Practical Value

By following ASTM E2031-99(2016), organizations and professionals can:

• Enhance the credibility of polygraph examination results through rigorous, documented quality control.
• Support the integrity and transparency of forensic processes.
• Meet international expectations for forensic evidence quality, facilitating cross-jurisdictional acceptance and trust.
• Mitigate risks associated with errors in forensic psychophysiology by implementing consistent review protocols.

Keywords: ASTM E2031, polygraph quality control, psychophysiological detection of deception, forensic psychophysiology standards, objective polygraph review, PDD examinations, forensic science quality assurance.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2031 − 99 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Quality Control of Psychophysiological Detection of
Deception (Polygraph) Examinations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2031; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope necessary by the examiner. For a specific issue examination, all
relevant questions and the examinee’s answers shall be in-
1.1 This practice establishes essential and recommended
cluded.
procedures for the conduct of quality control for a Psycho-
3.1.4 quality control—a systematic, independent, and objec-
physiological Detection of Deception (PDD) examination.
tive review, evaluation, and critique of a PDD examination by
2. Referenced Documents
a qualified examiner. This review is designed to ensure each
2 examiner maintains professional standards.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E2035 Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 All PDD examinations may be subjected to a quality
3. Terminology
control review. Prior to a PDD examination being considered
3.1 Definitions—For additional terminology relating to
by any court or judicial tribunal, in order to ensure each
PDD, refer to Terminology E2035.
examination meets appropriate standards, each examination
3.1.1 independent quality control review—an evaluation of
should undergo a quality control review.
the PDD examination that is free of undue influence from the
4.2 Experienced examiners who are trained in the PDD
original examiner or other persons.
format utilized by the original examiner are qualified to
3.1.2 objective quality control review—an evaluation of
conduct a quality control review of an examination.
PDD test data based upon established analysis procedures
4.3 A quality control review shall be independent and
which meet ASTM standards.
objective and meet all applicableASTM standards. The quality
3.1.3 PDD report—a written account to the person or
control process should involve, but is not limited to a review
agency requesting the examination which summarizes the
of: the test data analysis of all charts collected during the
details of an individual PDD examination. The report should
examination; all questions and answers utilized during the
include, but is not limited to: the details of the incident or the
examination to produce the data which were evaluated; the
circumstances for which the examination was conducted;
PDD report; any available electronic recordings; and all allied
identifying information of the examinee; the purpose of the
pap
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