Fundamentals of Polygraph Practice
Our Expert Review
Fundamentals of Polygraph Practice bridges the gap between outmoded practices and today's validated testing and analysis protocols, making it an essential text for modern polygraph practitioners. As professional polygraph examiners at LieDetectorTest.com, we recognize this work as the definitive evidence-based textbook that our field desperately needed.
Krapohl has authored more than 100 published research papers, general interest pieces, technical articles and book chapters on credibility assessment, while Shaw served as President of the American Polygraph Association in 2012 and held other board positions for 6 years. Their combined expertise creates a comprehensive resource that addresses both theoretical foundations and practical applications.
The book covers ten chapters spanning A History of Lie Detection, Psychophysiology, Data Collection, Test Question Construction, Specific-Issue Testing Techniques, Recognition Tests, Analysis of Polygraph Data, Scientific Issues, Advanced Topics, and Alternate Technologies. The psychophysiology chapter is particularly valuable, providing the scientific foundation many examiners lack, while the data analysis section offers practical guidance on validated scoring methods that have replaced outdated intuitive approaches.
What sets this book apart is its commitment to evidence-based practice. Reviewers consistently praise it as the "best single source polygraph education possible" and "best summary of both polygraph history and practice found in any single volume". One examiner with nearly 40 years of experience and responsibility for inspecting polygraph programs worldwide for APA accreditation stated this book "contains all you need to know and more about this profession and should be required reading in all Polygraph programs".
The authors successfully balance technical depth with accessibility. The text addresses the foundational needs of polygraph students, and is written to be useful and accessible to attorneys, forensic scientists, consumers of polygraph services, and the general public. This broad appeal makes it valuable beyond just practitioners, serving as a bridge between the polygraph community and other professionals who interact with polygraph results.
While the book is comprehensive, some critics note certain omissions. A professional review identified "critical omissions" and noted "unevenness of the material that is covered" in some sections. Additionally, some early Amazon reviewers experienced binding quality issues, though this doesn't detract from the content's value.
The inclusion of appendices, particularly the 2015 update to validation studies, demonstrates the authors' commitment to current research. This attention to evolving standards reflects the profession's shift from authority-based to evidence-based practices that defines modern polygraph work.
Key Takeaways
- Evidence-based scoring methods that have replaced outdated subjective interpretation techniques
- Proper psychophysiological foundations for understanding why polygraph testing works
- Validated test question construction principles that maximize diagnostic accuracy
- Modern data collection protocols ensuring reliable and legally defensible results
- Comprehensive overview of specific-issue testing techniques for various scenarios
- Understanding of alternate technologies and emerging credibility assessment methods
- Scientific research findings supporting polygraph validity and accuracy rates
- Professional standards and ethics requirements for competent practice
- Quality assurance procedures and countermeasure detection strategies
- Legal considerations and admissibility standards across different jurisdictions
What’s Inside
Traces the evolution of polygraph from early experimentation to modern validated techniques. Provides essential context for understanding how the field developed from subjective interpretation to evidence-based practice.
Explains the scientific foundation underlying polygraph testing, covering cardiovascular, respiratory, and electrodermal responses. Essential for understanding why and how physiological changes indicate deception.
Details proper procedures for gathering physiological data during examinations. Covers instrumentation, environmental factors, and quality control measures that ensure reliable results.
Provides guidelines for creating effective test questions that maximize diagnostic accuracy. Covers different question types and their appropriate applications in various testing scenarios.
Examines validated testing formats for investigating specific incidents or allegations. Includes detailed protocols and decision rules for single-issue examinations.
Covers specialized testing techniques that rely on recognition of concealed information. Useful for cases where traditional comparison question tests may not be appropriate.
Details evidence-based scoring methods and decision rules that have replaced subjective interpretation. Includes validated algorithms and statistical approaches to chart analysis.
Addresses research findings on polygraph accuracy, validity studies, and methodological considerations. Essential for understanding the scientific foundation supporting polygraph testing.
Covers specialized applications, quality assurance, and emerging developments in the field. Includes discussion of countermeasures and advanced analytical techniques.
Examines emerging credibility assessment technologies and their relationship to traditional polygraph. Provides perspective on future directions in deception detection.
Who Should Read This
Polygraph examiners at all career levels will find this book indispensable for evidence-based practice. New examiners gain essential theoretical foundations often missing from basic training programs, while experienced practitioners can update their knowledge with validated techniques that have replaced older methods. The comprehensive coverage makes it ideal for continuing education and quality assurance reviews. Attorneys working with polygraph evidence will appreciate the accessible explanations of scientific principles and legal considerations. The book helps legal professionals understand polygraph limitations, proper applications, and how to evaluate examiner qualifications and procedures. This knowledge proves valuable whether challenging or supporting polygraph evidence in court. Forensic scientists and researchers will benefit from the detailed discussion of validation studies, accuracy rates, and methodological considerations. The scientific issues chapter provides the empirical foundation needed to understand polygraph's place within the broader forensic science community. Academic researchers will find the comprehensive bibliography valuable for further study. General readers seeking to understand polygraph testing will find the historical context and clear explanations enlightening. Unlike sensationalized media portrayals, this book presents an balanced, scientific perspective on polygraph capabilities and limitations, helping consumers make informed decisions about polygraph services.
About the Authors
Donald J. Krapohl's polygraph career started in the private sector in 1979, conducting testing for attorneys, police departments and commercial firms in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1985 he was recruited by the US government to perform polygraph testing for intelligence and security purposes, conducting many significant and highly sensitive cases. He became involved in government research on the polygraph, which led to his assignment in 1997 to the US government's polygraph education and research organization at Ft. Jackson, SC. His work led to, among other advances, a polygraph algorithm now used on most computer polygraphs. He was a member of the team that validated the Preliminary Credibility Assessment Screening System, a technology now a major component of force protection for the US military. He served as APA President in 2006 and was Editor-in-Chief for the publications of the American Polygraph Association (APA), 1997-2003 and 2007-2014. He retired from government service in 2015.
Pamela K. Shaw began her career in polygraph in 2000 while employed with the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, a state government agency established to oversee certified police officers and provide pre-employment testing services for over 400 law enforcement entities. During her 14 years with the Council she served as an examiner, supervisor and polygraph school director for the state. She established her own polygraph company, Shaw Polygraph Services, Inc., in 2006 where she administered specific issue and post-conviction sex offender tests and engaged in various educational and consulting endeavors. She is currently the owner and co-director of the National Polygraph Academy based out of Lexington, KY. The school is accredited by the APA and recognized by the American Association of Police Polygraphists. She served as President of the American Polygraph Association in 2012 and held other board positions for 6 years. She is the recipient of awards for her presentations and participation in committees responsible for publishing model policies for post-conviction sex offender testing, law enforcement/public service screening as well as the APA's 2011 Meta-Analytic Survey of Criterion Accuracy of Polygraph Techniques.
Publication History
Published in 2015 by Elsevier Inc./Academic Press, this represents the first edition of a comprehensive modern polygraph textbook. The book contains 364 pages and was released in both hardcover and electronic formats. The print ISBN is 9780128029244 and electronic ISBN is 9780128029251. The timing of publication coincides with Krapohl's retirement from government service in 2015, representing a capstone work synthesizing decades of research and practice. The appendices include a 2015 Update to the APA 2011 meta-analytic survey of validated polygraph techniques, demonstrating the authors' commitment to current research. The book remains the most recent comprehensive academic treatment of polygraph practice, with no subsequent editions published as of 2026.
How to Cite This Book
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