Academy for Scientific & Investigative Training

Academy for Scientific & Investigative Training: Overview

The Academy for Scientific & Investigative Training (ASIT) has been an American Polygraph Association accredited school since 1980 and operates as a private civilian training institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school offers a comprehensive Polygraph 101 Basic program consisting of 10 weeks of academics plus 2 weeks of post-graduate training. ASIT is internationally recognized for its innovative approach to forensic psychophysiology and credibility assessment techniques. The academy provides training for civilian professionals, law enforcement officers, and international students, with courses conducted in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Spanish, and Hebrew.

Curriculum & Training Approach

ASIT's curriculum encompasses multiple disciplines beyond basic polygraph examination. The academy offers training in Forensic Psychophysiology (Polygraph), Forensic Assessment Interview Technique (FAINT), Morgan Interview Thematic Technique (MITT), Forensic Statement Analysis, Integrated Interrogation Technique, and Post Conviction Sexual Offender Testing. Students receive hands-on training with various polygraph instruments and learn advanced scoring methodologies. The ASIT PolySuite Polygraph Scoring Algorithm is now offered by Limestone Technologies, representing a significant technological advancement in automated chart analysis. The program includes extensive practical exercises, mock examinations, and real-world case studies to prepare graduates for diverse testing environments.

Faculty & Expertise

Nathan J. Gordon developed the Forensic Assessment Interview and Integrated Interrogation Technique. He is an expert Forensic Psychophysiologist and an internationally recognized authority in the field. He has reached the pinnacle in his field as a former president and chairman of the board of the American Polygraph Association and currently serves as President of the International Association of Polygraph Examiners. Assistant Director Tuvia Shurany is the former head of the Department of Polygraph at the Israeli Government School and has conducted polygraph courses in numerous countries in Central and South America as well as in Europe. The faculty brings decades of combined experience in law enforcement, intelligence, and private sector polygraph examination.

Innovation & Technology

ASIT has established itself as a leader in polygraph technology development and scoring methodology. Nathan Gordon is the innovator of the Integrated Zone Comparison Polygraph Technique, Polygraph Verification Test, Forensic Assessment Interview Technique, Integrated Interrogation Technique, Horizontal Scoring System and Academy's Algorithm for Analysis of Polygraph Data. The school's ASIT PolySuite algorithm has been validated in research studies and is utilized by polygraph professionals worldwide. Students learn to operate modern computerized polygraph systems and gain proficiency in both manual and automated scoring techniques.

International Programs & Outreach

The academy has taught, lectured to and mentored polygraph examiners and interrogators on almost every continent on earth, conducting seminars for thousands of law enforcement, intelligence and private security officers throughout the United States, Africa, Europe, and Asia. ASIT has been teaching an accredited polygraph course in South Africa for over 20 years. The school maintains regional coordinators for different geographic areas, ensuring culturally appropriate training delivery and ongoing support for international graduates.

Campus & Location

ASIT is located at 1704 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, providing a professional urban training environment. The Philadelphia location offers convenient access to major transportation hubs and accommodations for out-of-state and international students. The facility is equipped with modern polygraph instrumentation and technology to support comprehensive hands-on training.

Career Outcomes & Licensing

Pennsylvania does not require polygraph examiner licensing, allowing graduates to practice immediately upon completion of their training. However, graduates seeking to practice in other states must meet individual state licensing requirements, which vary significantly across jurisdictions. ASIT's APA accreditation ensures that graduates meet the educational prerequisites for licensing in states that require formal credentials. The school's alumni work in diverse sectors including law enforcement, private investigation, corporate security, and government agencies worldwide.

History & Evolution

ASIT has been advancing and teaching the Scientific Detection of Deception and related Credibility Assessment Techniques since 1980, with Nathan Gordon teaching accredited polygraph courses since the school's founding. The academy was established as one of the early private polygraph training institutions and has maintained continuous APA accreditation for over four decades. Nathan Gordon is recognized as the developer of many innovative techniques and practices in the profession, positioning ASIT at the forefront of polygraph education and research. The school has evolved from a domestic training provider to an internationally recognized institution, expanding its reach through partnerships and regional training programs across multiple continents. ASIT's commitment to innovation is exemplified by its development of proprietary scoring algorithms and advanced interview techniques that have become industry standards.

ASIT maintains selective admission standards for its polygraph training programs. Prospective students typically need a four-year college degree or equivalent professional experience in criminal justice, law enforcement, or related fields. All applicants must successfully pass background investigations and demonstrate good moral character. International students are welcomed, with courses offered in multiple languages to accommodate diverse backgrounds. Interested students should contact the school directly, with different coordinators available for various regions including Guatemala (Tuvia Shurany) and Middle East programs (Nate Gordon). The academy evaluates each applicant individually, considering educational background, professional experience, and career objectives in the credibility assessment field.