Reid, John E.

What Is Reid, John E.?

Reid, John E. (1910–1982) is a polygraph professional practice term. A pivotal figure in polygraph history who introduced the comparison question to polygraph testing in 1947, fundamentally changing the field. Developed the Reid Control Question Technique (CQT), which became the basis for most modern polygraph methods. Founded the Reid College of Detection of Deception (later John E. Reid & Associates) in Chicago. His work established the framework that Backster and others later refined.

Importance in Polygraph Practice

Professional polygraph practice encompasses the entire examination process — from initial client contact and case assessment through pre-test interview, informed consent, suitability screening, chart collection, data analysis, post-test interview, and report writing. Each phase is governed by APA Standards of Practice designed to ensure examination quality, ethical conduct, and reliable outcomes.

Adherence to professional standards is what distinguishes a legitimate polygraph examination from informal or unscientific approaches to lie detection. The APA Code of Ethics provides additional ethical guidance covering examiner competence, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and examinee rights.

Professional Development

Polygraph examiners must complete initial training at an APA-accredited school (minimum 400 hours), followed by supervised field experience, and maintain ongoing continuing education (30 hours every two years). Many jurisdictions also require state licensure. These requirements ensure that practitioners remain current with evolving science, techniques, and professional standards.

Related Terms

Understanding Reid, John E. in context requires familiarity with several related polygraph concepts:

See also: Admission, APA Code of Ethics, APA-Accredited School, Backster, Cleve, Blind Review, Behavioral Observation.

Further Reading

For more information on polygraph terminology and the science of lie detection, explore the full Polygraph Glossary with over 250 defined terms. Visit the Polygraph Examiner Hub for professional resources, the research database for published polygraph studies, or learn how a polygraph works if you are preparing for an examination.

Key Takeaways

Reid, John E. is an important concept within the field of Psychophysiological Detection of Deception. Whether you are a polygraph examiner, student at an APA-accredited training program, legal professional evaluating polygraph evidence, or a private individual preparing for a lie detector test, understanding this term and its relationship to other polygraph concepts will help you navigate the field with greater confidence and knowledge.

The science of polygraph testing has evolved significantly over more than 100 years, from the early work of William Moulton Marston and Leonarde Keeler to today's digital instruments and validated scoring algorithms. Every term in this glossary represents a piece of that scientific and professional heritage. For a comprehensive overview, visit the Polygraph Examiner Hub or use our examiner selection guide to find a professional examiner near you.