ASTM E2063-12(2017)

Standard Practice for Calibration and Functionality Checks Used in Forensic Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph) Examinations

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice sets forth the minimum requirements for calibration and functionality checks when conducting PDD examinations and related activities. For additional information see Practice E1954 and Guide E2000.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides guidelines for calibration and instrumentation (both analog and computerized systems) actively used in the psychophysiological detection of deception (verification of truth). As a minimum, such instrumentation shall simultaneously record an individual’s respiratory, exosomatic electrodermal, and cardiovascular activity.  
1.2 Analog polygraphs shall be calibrated by the psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examiner, manufacturer, or factory-authorized individual.  
1.3 Computerized instrumentation shall be calibrated by the manufacturer or factory-authorized individual.  
1.4 The PDD examiner or factory-authorized individual shall perform functionality checks to ensure instrumentation is operating properly.  
1.5 This practice does not prohibit additional components which may be offered as supplemental measurements of physiological change. Additional recording components (such as movement sensors) may be used in addition to, but not replace, the required minimum components and these additional components shall meet the manufacturer’s specifications for calibration.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2017
• ICS: 07.140 - Forensic science
• ICS: 11.040.55 - Diagnostic equipment
• Technical Committee: E52 - Forensic Psychophysiology
• Drafting Committee: E52.02 - Instrumentation

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2063-12 - Standard Practice for Calibration and Functionality Checks Used in Forensic Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph) Examinations
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2017
• 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 E1954-05(2017) - Standard Practice for Conduct of Research in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph)
• 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 E2035-07 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2007
• Refers: ASTM E2035-07e1 - 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 E2000-05 - Standard Guide for Minimum Basic Education and Training of Individuals Involved in the Detection of Deception (PDD) (Withdrawn 2014)
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2005
• Refers: ASTM E1954-05 - Standard Practice for Conduct of Research in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Refers: ASTM E2035-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Refers: ASTM E1954-05(2011) - Standard Practice for Conduct of Research in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph)
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005

Overview

ASTM E2063-12(2017) - Standard Practice for Calibration and Functionality Checks Used in Forensic Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph) Examinations - establishes the minimum requirements for calibration and functionality checks of polygraph instrumentation employed in forensic psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examinations. Developed by ASTM International in line with global standardization principles, this practice ensures that all analog and computerized polygraph systems used for deception detection meet defined operational standards for reliability and accuracy.

Key Topics

• Calibration Guidelines:
  • Specifies procedures for both analog and computerized polygraph systems.
  • Calibration for analog instruments may be performed by a PDD examiner, manufacturer, or authorized personnel.
  • Calibration for computerized instrumentation must be completed by the manufacturer or authorized personnel.
• Functionality Checks:
  • Mandates routine functionality assessments to verify that all equipment operates as intended before use in PDD examinations.
  • Any identified malfunctions must be corrected prior to further use.
• Documentation Requirements:
  • A calibration or functionality check chart must be maintained for at least one year.
  • Records should include: date and time, instrument identification, person performing the check, and relevant settings or adjustments.
• Scope of Instrumentation:
  • Instruments must simultaneously record respiratory, exosomatic electrodermal, and cardiovascular activity.
  • Additional components or sensors (e.g., movement sensors) are permitted as supplemental measurements but must comply with manufacturer calibration specifications.
• Manufacturers’ Specifications:
  • All calibration and functionality activities must adhere to specifications outlined by the instrument’s manufacturer.

Applications

ASTM E2063-12(2017) is vital in the following contexts:

• Forensic Investigations:
  • Ensures the accuracy and dependability of polygraph examination results used as part of criminal and civil investigative processes.
• Quality Assurance in Testing Facilities:
  • Supports routine equipment checks in laboratories and agencies conducting deception detection examinations, helping to minimize errors and uphold best practices.
• Training and Certification:
  • Provides guidelines that assist in the education and credentialing of polygraph examiners and technical staff.
• Instrument Maintenance and Compliance:
  • Aids facilities in maintaining compliance with international standards and regulatory expectations concerning detection of deception instrumentation.
• Research and Development:
  • Offers a baseline for performance evaluation in the development of new or improved PDD technologies and systems.

Related Standards

• ASTM E1954: Practice for Conduct of Research in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph), which complements calibration and operational practices.
• ASTM E2000: (Withdrawn 2014) Guide for Minimum Basic Education and Training of Individuals Involved in the Detection of Deception (PDD).
• ASTM E2035: Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology, providing standardized definitions in this field.
• Manufacturer Manuals: Instruments must be calibrated and maintained as per specific manufacturer instructions to fulfill standard requirements.

By adhering to ASTM E2063-12(2017), organizations and practitioners enhance the quality, accuracy, and legal defensibility of forensic polygraph examinations, supporting the broader field of forensic psychophysiology through trustworthy calibration and meticulous functionality checks. This standard stands as a cornerstone for ensuring the reliability and admissibility of polygraph results in forensic and investigative practice.

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: E2063 − 12 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Practice for
Calibration and Functionality Checks Used in Forensic
Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (Polygraph)
Examinations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2063; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice provides guidelines for calibration and
E1954 Practice for Conduct of Research in Psychophysi-
instrumentation (both analog and computerized systems) ac-
ological Detection of Deception (Polygraph)
tively used in the psychophysiological detection of deception
E2000 Guide for Minimum Basic Education and Training of
(verification of truth). As a minimum, such instrumentation
Individuals Involved in the Detection of Deception (PDD)
shall simultaneously record an individual’s respiratory, exoso-
(Withdrawn 2014)
matic electrodermal, and cardiovascular activity.
E2035 Terminology Relating to Forensic Psychophysiology
1.2 Analog polygraphs shall be calibrated by the psycho-
2.2 Other Document:
physiological detection of deception (PDD) examiner,
Manufacturer Manual(s) for System(s) in Use
manufacturer, or factory-authorized individual.
3. Terminology
1.3 Computerized instrumentation shall be calibrated by the
3.1 Definitions of Terms—See Terminology E2035.
manufacturer or factory-authorized individual.
3.2 Terminology may vary according to different manufac-
1.4 The PDD examiner or factory-authorized individual
turers.
shall perform functionality checks to ensure instrumentation is
operating properly.
4. Significance and Use
1.5 This practice does not prohibit additional components
4.1 This practice sets forth the minimum requirements for
which may be offered as supplemental measurements of
calibration and functionality checks when conducting PDD
physiological change. Additional recording components (such
examinations and related activities. For additional information
as movement sensors) may be used in addition to, but not
see Practice E1954 and Guide E2000.
replace, the required minimum components and these addi-
tional components shall meet the manufacturer’s specifications
5. Minimum Requirements for Calibration and
for calibration.
Functionality Checks of Polygraph Instrumentation
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.1 A recorded chart shall be created demonstrating correct
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- functioning of the instrument.This chart will be maintained for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
a minimum period of one year.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 5.1.1 This chart shall contain the following information, as
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
applicable: name of person performing calibration or function-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. ality check, time and date, location, manufacturer, model, and
instrument identification.
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E52 on Forensic For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Psychophysiology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E52.02 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Instrumentation. Standards volume informat
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