Polygraph Glossary Technique

breakdown test

Definition

A breakdown test (also called a breakout test) is a single-issue PDD test administered after a multiple-issue screening examination has identified a specific area of concern. It is conducted using one of the validated test formats, such as a Zone Comparison Test or AFMGQT.

What Is a Breakdown Test?

A breakdown test is a follow-up polygraph procedure conducted after a multi-issue screening examination produces a Significant Response (SR) result. When a screening test indicates that the examinee may be responding significantly to one or more of several relevant topics, the breakdown test isolates each topic into a separate, focused test to determine which specific issue(s) triggered the significant responding. In essence, the breakdown test "breaks down" a multi-issue SR result into its component issues.

When Breakdown Tests Are Used

Multi-issue screening examinations — such as the AFMGQT, DLST, or TES — cover multiple relevant topics (e.g., espionage, unauthorised disclosure, foreign intelligence contacts) within a single test session. If the scoring indicates a significant response, the examiner cannot determine from the screening data alone which of the several relevant issues is driving the physiological responses.

The breakdown test addresses this by conducting separate single-issue tests (or focused multi-issue tests with fewer topics) for each area that was covered in the original screening. Each breakdown test uses validated single-issue techniques to provide a diagnostic-level examination on that specific topic.

Process and Protocol

Following an SR result on a screening test, the examiner typically conducts a post-test interview to explore the examinee's reactions and any possible explanations. If no resolution is achieved, breakdown testing proceeds with individual tests for each relevant screening topic. Each breakdown test follows standard CQT protocols, including appropriate comparison questions, a pre-test interview focused on the specific issue, and scoring with validated test data analysis methods.

Diagnostic Value

Breakdown testing provides greater diagnostic precision than the original screening. While screening results are reported as SR or NSR, breakdown test results use diagnostic terminology: DI (Deception Indicated), NDI (No Deception Indicated), or INC (Inconclusive). This diagnostic-level specificity identifies exactly which issue requires further investigation and which issues the examinee can be cleared on.

Cross-references

More technique terms in this glossary

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