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Mark Handler
Polygraph scoring systems, test data analysis, and psychophysiological detection of deception
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About Mark Handler
Mark Handler is an independent polygraph instructor and consultant who currently serves as Director of Professional Services at Converus, a credibility assessment technology company, and Editor-in-Chief of the American Polygraph Association (APA). He previously served as a Deputy Sheriff in Conroe County, Texas and as a U.S. Navy nuclear submariner. Handler has been affiliated with the American Association of Police Polygraphists and served as Research and Information Chairperson for that organization.
Handler has made substantial contributions to the scientific foundation of polygraph testing, particularly in test data analysis and scoring systems. He co-developed the Empirical Scoring System (ESS), an evidence-based normative system for test data analysis of psychophysiological detection of deception examination data. His work on the Objective Scoring System (OSS) represents another major advancement in automated polygraph scoring. Handler co-authored a comprehensive meta-analysis of the Comparison Question Test published in 2021, analyzing 138 datasets. He authored the influential "EDA Primer for Polygraph Examiners," which addresses electrodermal response—the most robust and informative signal in polygraph testing.
Handler is among the most recognized figures in the polygraph profession. In 2020, he received the prestigious Leonarde Keeler Award from the American Polygraph Association for his "long and distinguished service to the polygraph profession". He received the David L. Motsinger Horizon Award in 2008, the APA's John Larson Award in 2014, and the Max Wastl Sr. Award from the American Association of Police Polygraphists in both 2014 and 2017. Handler, an APA board member, has published over 60 scientific articles on polygraph and credibility assessment. He has collaborated extensively with leading researchers including Raymond I. Nelson, Donald J. Krapohl, and Charles Robert Honts.
Handler co-authored the Terminology Reference for the Science of Psychophysiological Detection of Deception, now in its fourth edition (2023), alongside Donald Krapohl and Michael Lynch. This comprehensive reference work has become a standard resource for defining concepts and terminology in the field, helping to bridge polygraph science with mainstream psychophysiology and psychology.
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Researchers who have co-authored studies with Mark Handler.
Publications [32]
All peer-reviewed studies by Mark Handler in our database.
Terminology Reference for the Science of Psychophysiological Detection
The reference standardizes terminology across the polygraph profession, providing authoritative definitions grounded in peer-reviewed literature with 94 scientific references, facilitating communication between practitioners, researchers, and the broader scientific community. [002] 2021 • LANDMARK META-ANALYSIS Applied Cognitive PsychologyA Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of the Comparison Question Polygraph Test
The largest meta-analysis ever conducted on the CQT, analyzing 138 datasets. Found a meta-analytic effect size of 0.69 including inconclusives. Motivation level showed a positive linear relationship with accuracy. No… [003] 2021 Polygraph & Forensic Credibility AssessmentLiterature Review and Analysis of the Multi-facet Hypothesis and the Evaluation of Independent Target Questions
Grand total scoring achieved 89% accuracy compared to 78% for multi-facet hypothesis scoring—an 11 percentage point difference that challenges the operational utility of assuming independence among relevant questions. [004] 2020 American Polygraph Association MagazinePractical polygraph: Interviewing and screening public-safety applicants for social intolerance
Authors concluded that polygraph examiners should become conversant with social intolerance topics and provided operational definitions, mind-mapping tools, and interview strategies for addressing religious, gender, age, and racial bias in… [005] 2020 European PolygraphTrying an Accused Serial Sexual Harasser for Libel in a US Civil Court
The paper provides a blueprint for collaboration between victims, polygraph experts, statisticians, and attorneys to litigate libel suits using hypothesis-testing frameworks and comparative controlled designs. [006] 2019 Polygraph & Forensic Credibility Assessment: A Journal of Science and Field PracticeIntroduction to the NCCA ASCII standard
The NCCA ASCII Standard successfully established a universal, human-readable text-based format for polygraph data that captures all hardware, software, physiological data, timing, and question information in standardized files, enabling data… [007] 2017 APA MagazinePractical Polygraph: FAQ on Electrodermal Activity and the Electrodermal Sensor
Electrodermal activity demonstrates stronger correlation with ground truth compared to other polygraph channels in comparison question testing. The article clarifies technical terminology, electrical measurement principles, and physiological mechanisms underlying skin… [008] 2015 Various PublicationsMonte Carlo Estimates of the Validity of Polygraph Testing
Used Monte Carlo simulation methods to estimate polygraph validity across different conditions. Statistical modeling confirmed high accuracy estimates consistent with empirical findings from field and laboratory research. [009] 2015 Various PublicationsDirected Lie Comparison Questions and Countermeasure Resistance
Examined whether directed-lie comparison questions offer better countermeasure resistance. Research suggests that modern testing formats with directed lies may be more robust against deliberate manipulation attempts. [010] 2013 PolygraphA Case Study of the Validity of the Arther Examination
Among 9 DNA-confirmed innocent suspects, the Arther technique produced a 44.4% false positive rate (4 of 9 errors), with results statistically matching the only prior published validation study showing 63.3%… [011] 2013 PolygraphInformation gain of the directed lie screening test
DLST/ESS provided meaningful information gain (>5%) across nearly all plausible base rates, substantially exceeding the performance of unassisted professional veracity assessment in both security screening and criminal justice contexts. [012] 2013 PolygraphA Case Study of the Validity of the Arther Examination Procedures in a Criminal Case with DNA Confirmation
The AEP produced a 44% false positive error rate among DNA-exonerated innocent suspects, with statistical analysis showing these outcomes are almost impossible for a highly accurate technique to produce, confirming… [013] 2011 • APA COMMISSIONED REVIEW PolygraphMeta-Analytic Survey of Criterion Accuracy of Validated Polygraph Techniques
38 studies met inclusion criteria, involving 32 different samples, 45 experiments, 295 scorers, and 11,737 scored results from 3,723 examinations. Event-specific diagnostic tests: 89% accuracy (CI: 83–95%). Multi-issue screening: 85%… [014] 2011 • CROSS-CULTURAL ESS PolygraphEmpirical Scoring System: A Cross-Cultural Replication and Extension Study
International validation with 19 trainees scoring 100 confirmed cases. Achieved mean accuracy of 90.1% (95% CI: 83.8–95.8%), demonstrating ESS validity across cultures. [015] 2010 PolygraphAn Assessment of the Backster Either-Or Rule in Polygraph 240 Scoring
Application of the Either-Or Rule increased correct decisions from 70% to 80% and reduced inconclusives from 27% to 17%, with all improvements attributable to better detection of deceptive cases. Backster… [016] 2010Empirical Scoring System: NPC Quick Reference
Inexperienced examiners using ESS achieved mean accuracy of 90.1% (95% CI = 83.8% to 95.8%) with only 3.3% inconclusives, and demonstrated 85% inter-rater agreement, indicating that systematic scoring methodology enables… [017] 2009 PolygraphFocused polygraph technique for PCSOT and law enforcement screening programs
The paper proposes a standardized DLST format with two neutral questions, one sacrifice relevant question, two separate relevant questions, and two directed-lie comparison questions, with standardized pretest procedures and question… [018] 2009 PolygraphAn exploration of emotion and cognition during polygraph testing
Polygraph testing activates a complex array of emotions mediated by both subconscious and conscious cognitive appraisal processes, with specific emotions triggered by how examinees appraise the situation. However, current PDD… [019] 2009A respiration primer for polygraph examiners
Four validated respiratory features with replicated scientific support for diagnostic value were identified: suppression, apnea, slowing, and baseline rise. Apnea (breathing cessation) is considered the ultimate manifestation of respiratory suppression… [020] 2008 European PolygraphYou Can't Run, But You Can Hide: A Critical Look at the Fight or Flight Response in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception
The authors demonstrated that the fight-or-flight paradigm was inadequate as the primary explanatory mechanism for polygraph responses, showing that multiple factors including cognitive arousal, various emotional responses, and behavioral conditioning… [021] 2008 PolygraphNelson, Krapohl and Handler 2008
[022] 2008 PolygraphBrute-force comparison: A Monte Carlo study of the Objective Scoring System version 3 (OSS-3) and human polygraph scorers
OSS-3 exceeded the decision accuracy of 10 human scorers and 9 out of 10 individual scorers across six accuracy dimensions. The algorithm demonstrated perfect reliability compared to human interrater reliability… [023] 2008 PolygraphDevelopment and validation of the Objective Scoring System version 3
OSS-3 achieved 88% average decision accuracy with balanced sensitivity and specificity, with computer algorithms providing perfect interrater reliability compared to human scorers (κ = .58–.61) and reduced inconclusive results. [024] 2008 PolygraphA focused polygraph technique for PCSOT and law enforcement screening programs
The authors argue that the DLST, derived from validated TES research (98% accuracy for innocent and 83.3% for guilty examinees in laboratory studies), can serve as an effective initial screening… [025] 2008 • OSS-3 DEVELOPMENT PolygraphObjective Scoring System, Version 3 (OSS-3): Development and Validation
Described the OSS-3 algorithm and used brute-force methods to compare accuracy against previous versions and human examiners. OSS-3 demonstrated balanced sensitivity/specificity and outperformed 10 human scorers. [026] 2008 • ESS DEVELOPMENT PolygraphAn Empirically Based Normative System for Test Data Analysis
Introduced the Empirical Scoring System based on normative physiological data. Provided validation across 732 confirmed examinations scored by 140 examiners in 16 cohorts. [027] 2007 PolygraphPolygraph terms for the 21st century
The central recommendation is to replace 'psychological set' with 'salience,' a term more widely recognized in scientific literature. Additional key proposals include using 'electrodermal activity' instead of 'GSR,' 'comparison questions'… [028] 2007 PolygraphPsychophysiological Mechanisms in Deception Detection: A Theoretical Overview
The paper concluded that polygraph responses are not driven by fear alone but by psychological salience arising from multiple cognitive and emotional processes, proposing a common physiological pathway for expressing… [029] 2007 – 2011 PolygraphDevelopment of the Objective Scoring System (OSS) and Empirical Scoring System (ESS)
Developed and validated the OSS and ESS computerized scoring methods, resulting in more objective and stable analysis of psychophysiological outcomes. These systems replaced subjective hand-scoring and significantly improved inter-scorer reliability… [030] 2006 PolygraphNew ratios for scoring electrodermal responses
[031] 2006 PolygraphEDA Primer for Polygraph Examiners
Electrodermal response is the most robust and informative signal in polygraph testing, driven exclusively by sympathetic nervous system activity and providing the greatest contribution to diagnostic accuracy in comparison question… [032] 1999 • SPONTANEOUS CM PolygraphSpontaneous Countermeasures in Naive Subjects During Polygraph Testing
Investigated whether untrained subjects spontaneously employ countermeasure-like behaviors. Found that some naive subjects did make deliberate efforts to alter their responses, but with limited success.Explore all research.
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