Polygraph Glossary Technique

place bar

Definition

A place bar restricts a Comparison Question by specifying a different geographic location from the Relevant Question. For example, if the relevant issue occurred in City A, the comparison might ask about behaviour while living in City B. Research has not found exclusive questions to improve accur...

What Is a Place Bar?

A place bar restricts a Comparison Question by specifying a different geographic location from the Relevant Question. For example, if the relevant issue occurred in City A, the comparison might ask about behaviour while living in City B. Research has not found exclusive questions to improve accuracy over non-exclusive versions.

Significance in PDD

This concept is part of the theoretical and practical framework supporting psychophysiological detection of deception. Understanding it helps practitioners, researchers, and informed consumers appreciate the scientific foundations of modern polygraph testing and the ongoing refinement of techniques and methods based on empirical research.

Context in Modern Practice

In contemporary validated practice, all aspects of the polygraph examination — from question formulation to scoring methodology — are governed by the APA Standards of Practice. These standards ensure that examinations are conducted using validated techniques, that diagnostic opinions are based on structured test data analysis, and that the rights and welfare of examinees are protected throughout the process.

Cross-references

More technique terms in this glossary

bizone Bizone is an incorrect term sometimes applied to a Zone Comparison Test containing only two relevant questions. The t... PCSOTPost-Conviction Sex Offender Testing Specialised polygraph testing used to monitor convicted sex offenders during probation, parole, or treatment programs... Utah Probable Lie Technique The Utah Probable Lie Technique (UPLT) is a CQT format developed at the University of Utah from the 1970s. Distinctiv... automatic mode Automatic mode (also labelled Auto, Auto-Centre, or Auto EDA) is a setting on the polygraph's electrodermal activity ... primary track The primary track is one of the tracks in the Quadri-Track Zone Comparison Technique, containing a Relevant Question ... Probing Peak of Tension See: Searching Peak of Tension.

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