ASTM E1954-05

Standard Practice for Conduct of Research in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph)

ABSTRACT
This practice establishes essential and renumbered elements in the design, conduct, and reporting of research (both laboratory and field) on the psychophysiological detection of deception (polygraph). In laboratory research, all procedures shall be documented in sufficient detail such that others can replicate them. Subject manipulation shall require minimal human interaction; however, when human interaction is deemed necessary, such procedure shall be standardized to the extent possible. Also, when studies of exploratory nature are conducted, they shall be clearly identified as exploratory studies. In field research, on the other hand, the procedure for case selection shall be reported in sufficient detail, including the qualifications of the polygraph testing and chart evaluating participants. In cases where departures from conventional field practice are encountered, these shall be documented in sufficient detail including an explanation for the nonstandard procedures. For both laboratory and field research, statements of generalization shall be limited to those which can be supported by data, procedures, and statistical methodology. Polygraph testing shall be carried out in terms of evidentiary psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examinations and investigative PDD examinations, the validity and utility of which shall conform to the requirements specified. Investigative PDD examinations may resort to a "successive hurdles" approach to satisfy the minimum validity requirements.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers essential and recommended elements in the design, conduct, and reporting of research on psychophysiological detection of deception (polygraph). Analog and field research are addressed separately.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2004
• ICS: 11.040.55 - Diagnostic equipment
• Technical Committee: E52 - Forensic Psychophysiology
• Drafting Committee: E52.01 - Research

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1954-98 - Standard Practice for Conduct of Research in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Replaced By: ASTM E1954-05(2011) - Standard Practice for Conduct of Research in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E2439-09(2016) - Standard Guide for Instrumentation, Sensors and Operating Software Used in Forensic Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph) Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E2063-12(2017) - Standard Practice for Calibration and Functionality Checks Used in Forensic Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph) Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Referred By: ASTM E2062-11(2017) - Standard Guide for PDD Examination Standards of Practice
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E1954–05
Standard Practice for
Conduct of Research in Psychophysiological Detection of
1
Deception (Polygraph)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1954; 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 be limited to, copies of subject instructions, test questions,
testing technique, question sequence, description of circum-
1.1 This practice establishes essential and recommended
stances and facilities, raw data, and any tape recordings
elements in the design, conduct and reporting of research on
presented.
psychophysiological detection of deception (polygraph). Ana-
4.1.3 So far as possible, the only difference between pro-
log and field research are addressed separately.
grammed deceptive and programmed nondeceptive subjects
2. Referenced Documents
should be their participation in the act to which deception
2
occurs during the PDD testing.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1.4 Non-exploratory studies shall test a sufficient number
E2035 Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
of subjects to obtain a statistical power of 0.80 or higher using
3. Terminology
a 0.05 significance level. Studies that are exploratory in
nature—that do not obtain this power level—shall be clearly
3.1 For full explanations of terminology relating to psycho-
identified as exploratory studies.
physiological detection of deception, refer to Terminology
4.1.5 To the extent possible, when conducting validity and
E2035.
reliability studies, participants performing the testing and
4. Summary of Practice
evaluating the physiological data shall be unaware as to both
the programming of the subjects and the base rates of decep-
4.1 Laboratory Research:
tion. The degree of knowledge of the participants shall be
4.1.1 Unless subjects must be individually trained or con-
detailed in the report.
ditioned to achieve some criterion, subject manipulation pro-
4.1.6 All instrumentation shall be fully reported, including
cedures shall require minimal human interaction. Those por-
any modification of standard equipment. When using field
tions requiring human interaction shall be standardized to the
instruments, researchers shall report the manufacturer, model,
extent possible.
typesofrecordingchannels,whetherthechannelsaremechani-
4.1.2 All procedures shall be described and reported in
cally or electronically driven, and whether the instrumentation
sufficient detail that others can replicate them. This shall
is computerized.
include logistical factors that may introduce systematic error,
4.1.7 Statements of generalization shall be limited to that
such as when subject handling allows them to reveal their
which the data, procedures, and statistical methodology can
programming to one another, or arrival times cue testing
support.
examiners regarding programming. All research-related mate-
4.1.8 A human subject research review shall be performed
rials shall be retained by the researcher for at least five years
by a recognized independent entity for all studies involving the
from date of publication. Reasonable accommodation shall be
participation of subjects.
made to other researchers for access to research documentation
4.2 Field Research:
and data. Documentation of procedures shall include, but not
4.2.1 The process for selecting cases shall be thoroughly
reported, including at least the source, method, exclusionary
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E52 on Forensic
criteria, and subject population. With respect to subjects, the
Psychophysiology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E52.01 on
report shall clearly articulate the proportions of the sample that
Research.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2005. Published February 2005. Originally are suspects, witnesses, and victims.
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as E1954 – 98. DOI:
4.2.2 The qualifications of the polygraph testing and chart
10.1520/E1954-05.
evaluating participants shall be identified in the report, includ-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ing formal polygraph training, field experience, and any
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
licensing or certification.
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1954–05
4.2.3 Researchers shall report the degree to which poly- mum requirements set forth
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