Table of Contents
Introduction to PDD Pretest Interviews
The polygraph pretest interview is a crucial initial step in the process of Polygraph Deception Detection (PDD). This phase serves several important purposes: it allows the examinee to narrate their version of events, helps the examiner collect vital biographical data, and ensures that the examinee understands the polygraph procedure and the role of various sensors.
Structuring the Pretest Interview
A well-structured pretest interview typically includes the following components:
- Greeting and Introduction: Establishing a professional yet comforting environment to set the tone for open communication.
- Informed Consent: Briefing the examinee about the process, ensuring understanding and voluntary participation.
- Authorization and Release Forms: Securing legal compliance and consent to proceed with the polygraph testing.
- Collection of Biographical Information: Gathering essential demographic data to understand the background of the examinee.
- Explanation of Polygraph Instrumentation: Describing the function and purpose of each sensor to demystify the process and alleviate any potential anxiety.
- Types of Interviews:
- Free-narrative Interview: Allowing the examinee to freely describe events in their own words, which can provide spontaneous insights and details.
- Semi-structured Interview: Guided by predefined questions to ensure all relevant topics are covered without the rigidity of a structured format.
Review and Preparation of Test Questions
Before the actual testing begins, it is imperative to review the questions with the examinee. This helps in sensitizing deceptive subjects to their deception and habituating truthful ones to the test’s pressure, thus ensuring a clear understanding of what is asked. This step not only prepares the examinee but also allows the examiner to fine-tune the questions based on the pretest findings.
The Psychological and Theoretical Underpinnings
The pretest interview is grounded in basic behavioral psychology, leveraging principles like habituation, sensitization, and the cognitive load theory. These principles help in enhancing the accuracy of the polygraph test by aligning the examinee’s mental state with the test conditions.
- Emotional and Cognitive Preparation: The pretest is designed to engage the examinee’s emotions and cognition related to the test questions, which are crucial in eliciting significant physiological responses during the polygraph.
- Behavioral Conditioning: Through the pretest, examiners aim to condition the examinee’s responses based on their previous experiences with similar stimuli, thus ensuring authentic reactions during the test.
Goals of the Pretest Interview
The overarching goals of the pretest interview include:
- Information Gathering: To collect as much relevant information as possible to aid in the investigation.
- Examinee Preparation: To prepare the examinee for the test by explaining the process, easing anxieties, and setting realistic expectations.
- Examiner Preparation: To provide the examiner with a deeper understanding of the examinee’s psychological and emotional landscape, which is crucial for interpreting the polygraph results.
In conclusion, the pretest interview is not merely a procedural formality but a foundational aspect of the polygraph testing process. It plays a critical role in ensuring the effectiveness of the test and the accuracy of its outcomes.
