Polygraph Glossary Practice

forensic psychophysiologist

Definition

A forensic psychophysiologist is a proposed alternate title for a polygraph examiner — a person who has completed an APA-accredited academic programme in forensic psychophysiology, including an appropriate internship.

What Is a Forensic Psychophysiologist?

A forensic psychophysiologist is a professional trained and qualified to conduct polygraph examinations — the formal title for a polygraph examiner within the scientific framework of the discipline. The title reflects two key elements: forensic (application in legal, investigative, or judicial contexts) and psychophysiologist (a scientist who studies the relationship between psychological states and physiological responses).

Qualifications

A forensic psychophysiologist typically holds graduation from an APA-accredited polygraph school, has completed supervised field experience, maintains licensure where required by law, holds membership in the American Polygraph Association or equivalent professional body, and maintains currency through continuing education.

Professional Obligations

Forensic psychophysiologists are bound by the APA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, which require using validated techniques, maintaining confidentiality, ensuring informed consent, and basing diagnostic opinions on validated test data analysis.

Related Terms

The discipline is forensic psychophysiology; the examination is a forensic PDD examination.

Cross-references

More practice terms in this glossary

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