Planning to join an Indiana agency? Pre-employment screening is common, and understanding a lie detector test helps recruits know what to expect before the interview stage.
Indiana law enforcement agencies use polygraph examinations as a critical component of the pre-employment screening process. Under IC 25-30-2, the Indiana State Police regulates polygraph examiner certification while agencies across the state — from ISP troopers to municipal police departments — rely on polygraph testing to evaluate the integrity and suitability of candidates seeking careers in law enforcement.
TL;DR — The Short Version
- Indiana regulates polygraph examiners under IC 25-30-2 through the Indiana State Police, which issues certificates of competence.
- All Indiana State Police trooper applicants must pass a polygraph examination as part of a multi-step selection process.
- Many Indiana municipal and county police departments also require polygraph screening for pre-employment, with agencies like Delphi PD, Fishers PD, Columbus PD, and Evansville PD all incorporating polygraph testing.
- Polygraph evidence is admissible in Indiana courts under the four-prerequisite framework established by Sanchez v. State (675 N.E.2d 306).
- Indiana does not require a separate state license for polygraph examiners, but examiners must hold a certificate of competence from the Indiana State Police.
- The EPPA exempts all federal, state, and local government agencies from the polygraph testing prohibition, allowing law enforcement to use polygraph screening freely.
Who This Guide Is For
- Prospective Indiana law enforcement officers preparing for pre-employment polygraph examinations
- Indiana police departments and sheriff's offices designing or improving their hiring processes
- Current police officers considering lateral transfers to Indiana agencies
- HR professionals and police merit commissions overseeing law enforcement recruitment
- Polygraph examiners seeking to practice or obtain certification in Indiana
- Attorneys and legal professionals handling cases involving Indiana polygraph evidence
Indiana's Polygraph Regulatory Framework: IC 25-30-2
How the Indiana State Police Regulates Polygraph Examiners
Indiana's polygraph profession is governed by Indiana Code 25-30-2, titled "Regulation of Polygraph Examiners by State Police" Verified Indiana Polygraph Association — About
Confirms IPA established on Butler University campus in 1971 as a professional organization for training and evidence-based deception detection. The IPA is a professional organization dedicated to providing training, resources, and the exchange of ideas to advance evidence-based detection of deception through the use of polygraph Verified Indiana Polygraph Association — About
Confirms IPA established on Butler University campus in 1971 as a professional organization for training and evidence-based deception detection. The association serves over 50 members, including polygraph examiners, educators, and researchers committed to ethical practices in deception detection Verified Indiana Polygraph Association — Contact / Board of Directors
Confirms current IPA board members: Collins (President), Wells (VP), Campbell (Secretary), Naish (Treasurer), Roseberry (Grievance Chair). The American Polygraph Association recognizes Matt Collins as the current IPA president [31]Verified State Licensing Boards & Associations
Confirms Matt Collins as IPA president and Indiana's voluntary certification framework as recognized by the APA.
The IPA provides ways and means for polygraph examiners across Indiana to unite in continuous efforts to promote and encourage the dissemination of new ideas, methods, and techniques [32]Verified Indiana Polygraph Association — Mission
Confirms IPA provides ways and means for examiners to unite and promote dissemination of new ideas, methods, and techniques. This collaborative environment helps examiners improve their skills and proficiency. States with active professional associations like Indiana's tend to maintain higher standards of practice, which benefits both law enforcement agencies and the candidates they test. Similar professional organizations exist in neighboring states — see our guides to the Tennessee Polygraph Association and the Ohio Polygraph Association for comparisons.
Indiana's Polygraph Examiner Workforce
Indiana's polygraph examiner community includes professionals serving in diverse roles across law enforcement, government, and private practice. The ISP employs civilian polygraph examiners through its Forensic Services Division, with positions requiring a baccalaureate degree or higher and starting salaries of approximately $63,869 per year [33]Verified Indiana State Police — Civilian Polygraph Examiner Position
Confirms ISP civilian polygraph examiner requires baccalaureate degree, starting salary of $63,869 per year. ISP polygraph examiners must complete an ISP-recognized polygraph examination training program and competency testing [33]Verified Indiana State Police — Civilian Polygraph Examiner Position
Confirms ISP civilian polygraph examiner requires baccalaureate degree, starting salary of $63,869 per year. They conduct examinations for investigative purposes, pre-employment purposes for ISP and other state government agencies, and periodic administrative examinations as required [34]Verified ISP Forensic Scientist — Polygraph Class Specification
Confirms ISP polygraph examiner duties including pre-employment testing, investigative testing, court testimony, and training program requirements.
The ISP also maintains a Polygraph Unit Supervisor position responsible for overseeing the entire Forensic Polygraph Unit, including monitoring conclusions and expert testimony of unit personnel, directing proficiency testing, and ensuring compliance with the Polygraph Procedure Manual [35]Verified ISP Forensic Scientist EVII — Polygraph Unit Supervisor
Confirms Polygraph Unit Supervisor responsibilities including proficiency testing, expert testimony monitoring, and quality assurance. This supervisory structure demonstrates Indiana's commitment to quality assurance in polygraph services.
Private practice examiners also serve an important role. Evansville Police Department's polygraph unit, for example, consists of two EPD investigators trained as polygraph examiners, both of whom attended the Backster School of Lie Detection in San Diego, California [36]Verified Polygraph Unit Background — Evansville Police Department
Confirms two EPD investigators trained at Backster School of Lie Detection and conduct pre-employment and criminal investigation polygraphs. They conduct examinations in addition to their regular investigative assignments [36]Verified Polygraph Unit Background — Evansville Police Department
Confirms two EPD investigators trained at Backster School of Lie Detection and conduct pre-employment and criminal investigation polygraphs. For those interested in pursuing a career in polygraph, visit our Become a Polygraph Examiner page or explore accredited training programs at schools like the American International Institute of Polygraph or the International Academy of Polygraph.
Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and Officer Training
ILEA Training Requirements
The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) is located in Plainfield, Indiana, and serves as the state's center for law enforcement education [37]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
Confirms ILEA located in Plainfield, 17-member Training Board, over 600 hours of basic training, mandatory since 1972, and six satellite facilities. The ILEA's governing body is the 17-member Law Enforcement Training Board, appointed by the governor, which sets the requirements and criteria for basic training of law enforcement officers throughout the state [37]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
Confirms ILEA located in Plainfield, 17-member Training Board, over 600 hours of basic training, mandatory since 1972, and six satellite facilities. Mandatory basic training has been required since July 6, 1972 [37]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
Confirms ILEA located in Plainfield, 17-member Training Board, over 600 hours of basic training, mandatory since 1972, and six satellite facilities.
The basic training course for new police officers consists of over 600 hours of instruction [37]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
Confirms ILEA located in Plainfield, 17-member Training Board, over 600 hours of basic training, mandatory since 1972, and six satellite facilities. Major areas of instruction include criminal and traffic law, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, physical tactics, EMS awareness, and human behavior [37]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
Confirms ILEA located in Plainfield, 17-member Training Board, over 600 hours of basic training, mandatory since 1972, and six satellite facilities. The ILEA provides training for nearly 600 departments with approximately 13,000 officers statewide [20]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy — Acadis Case Study
Confirms ILEA provides training for nearly 600 departments with 13,000 officers and requires 24 hours annual ongoing training. Indiana requires officers to complete 24 hours of ongoing training each year to maintain certification [20]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy — Acadis Case Study
Confirms ILEA provides training for nearly 600 departments with 13,000 officers and requires 24 hours annual ongoing training.
In addition to the main training academy in Plainfield, six satellite facilities are certified by the board to offer training courses throughout the state [37]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
Confirms ILEA located in Plainfield, 17-member Training Board, over 600 hours of basic training, mandatory since 1972, and six satellite facilities. The Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (NILEA) is one such satellite, providing in-service training programs to over 2,500 police officers annually [38]Verified Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy
Confirms NILEA provides in-service training to over 2,500 police officers annually. The state also sponsors the National Center for Credibility Assessment and other federally recognized polygraph training programs for specialized credibility assessment education.
How the Polygraph Fits into the Broader Hiring Pipeline
In Indiana, aspiring officers cannot apply directly to the ILEA on their own — state law requires that a police department hire them first and then sponsor them to attend the academy [39]Verified Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Requirements
Confirms state law requires departments to hire and sponsor officers before academy attendance; polygraph is a required step. This means the polygraph examination occurs during the department's pre-employment screening phase, well before academy training begins. The polygraph serves as a critical gatekeeping function, verifying the integrity of information provided throughout the application process.
The typical Indiana law enforcement hiring pipeline progresses through application submission, written examination, physical abilities test, oral interview, polygraph examination, background investigation, medical examination, psychological evaluation, conditional offer of employment, academy training, and field training [8]Verified ISP: Frequently Asked Questions — Becoming a Trooper
Confirms ISP selection process includes polygraph examination, eligibility requirements, academy duration, and Military Obligation Program [10]Verified Selection Process — Fishers Police Department
Confirms polygraph is Step 12 in Fishers PD's 20-step hiring process. The polygraph step typically falls after the oral interview and before or concurrent with the full background investigation [10]Verified Selection Process — Fishers Police Department
Confirms polygraph is Step 12 in Fishers PD's 20-step hiring process, serving as a force multiplier that enhances the efficiency and depth of background verification.
Research validates this integrated approach. Studies on the decision accuracy of screening formats demonstrate that choosing the right polygraph technique matters significantly. Krapohl and colleagues found that the Relevant-Irrelevant (RI) screening format had substantially poorer decision accuracy than other validated formats [40]Verified Relevant-Irrelevant Screening Format Accuracy
Concluded that RI screening format has substantially poorer decision accuracy than other validated formats, providing evidence-based justification for agencies to adopt superior testing methods like the DLST [15]Verified A Focused Polygraph Technique for PCSOT and Law Enforcement Screening Programs
Confirms DLST accuracy of 98% for innocent and 83.3% for guilty examinees in laboratory studies. Agencies selecting screening techniques should consider research by Krapohl and Goodson (2015) on algorithmic support for improving interrater reliability in screening tests [41]Verified Decision Accuracy for the Relevant-Irrelevant Screening Test: Influence of an Algorithm on Human Decision-Making
Investigated whether algorithmic support could resolve fundamental reliability issues with RI screening tests.
For a comparison of how other states structure their law enforcement polygraph requirements, see our Colorado Law Enforcement Polygraph Pre-Employment Guide or explore polygraph test locations near you.
Research Supporting Law Enforcement Polygraph Screening
Validated Screening Techniques for Pre-Employment
The scientific foundation for law enforcement polygraph screening has grown substantially over decades of research. The Directed-Lie Screening Test (DLST), developed from validated Test for Espionage and Sabotage (TES) research, has demonstrated impressive accuracy rates — 98% accuracy for innocent examinees and 83.3% for guilty examinees in laboratory studies [15]Verified A Focused Polygraph Technique for PCSOT and Law Enforcement Screening Programs
Confirms DLST accuracy of 98% for innocent and 83.3% for guilty examinees in laboratory studies. Handler, Nelson, and Blalock (2009) proposed a standardized DLST format featuring two neutral questions, one sacrifice relevant question, two separate relevant questions, and two directed-lie comparison questions, along with standardized pretest procedures [42]Verified Focused Polygraph Technique for PCSOT and Law Enforcement Screening Programs
Proposes standardized DLST format with specific question structure for law enforcement screening programs. This format provides a structured, evidence-based approach ideal for pre-employment screening contexts.
Barland's 1985 study for the US military found that polygraph screening tests achieved significantly better than chance detection rates for counterintelligence screening Verified A Validation and Reliability Study of Counterintelligence Screening Tests
Found significantly better than chance detection rates for counterintelligence screening polygraph tests. While screening tests may show higher inconclusive rates than specific-issue tests Verified A Validation and Reliability Study of Counterintelligence Screening Tests
Found significantly better than chance detection rates for counterintelligence screening polygraph tests, they remain a valuable component of comprehensive hiring programs. Research by Barland, Honts, and Barger (1989) provided additional data showing 94.9% accuracy for innocent examinees in security screening contexts Verified Studies of the Accuracy of Security Screening Polygraph Examinations
Found 94.9% accuracy for innocent examinees in security screening polygraph contexts — an important finding given that the vast majority of law enforcement applicants are honest individuals who benefit from accurate identification.
The importance of selecting validated techniques cannot be overstated. Krapohl's 2014 research concluded that the decision accuracy of the Relevant-Irrelevant (RI) screening format is substantially poorer than other validated screening formats [40]Verified Relevant-Irrelevant Screening Format Accuracy
Concluded that RI screening format has substantially poorer decision accuracy than other validated formats. This finding has important implications for Indiana agencies: adopting evidence-based formats like the DLST ensures the highest quality screening outcomes and protects both the agency and honest applicants.
The Polygraph as a Decision-Support Tool
Contemporary polygraph research emphasizes the role of the polygraph as a decision-support tool rather than a standalone hiring determinant. Leading researchers recommend that using polygraph results alone to disqualify a candidate from employment is a misguided field practice [21]Verified Integration of Pre-Employment Polygraph Screening into the Police Selection Process
Confirms polygraph results alone should not disqualify candidates; recommends integration with broader hiring process and police psychologists. Instead, polygraph results and information should be integrated into the broader hiring recommendation process, with police psychologists potentially being the professionals most suited to effectively manage this integration [21]Verified Integration of Pre-Employment Polygraph Screening into the Police Selection Process
Confirms polygraph results alone should not disqualify candidates; recommends integration with broader hiring process and police psychologists.
This approach aligns with best practices observed across Indiana agencies. The polygraph examination is always one component of a multi-step evaluation that includes background investigations, psychological assessments, medical examinations, and structured interviews [8]Verified ISP: Frequently Asked Questions — Becoming a Trooper
Confirms ISP selection process includes polygraph examination, eligibility requirements, academy duration, and Military Obligation Program [10]Verified Selection Process — Fishers Police Department
Confirms polygraph is Step 12 in Fishers PD's 20-step hiring process. When these elements work together, agencies can make well-informed hiring decisions that protect public safety while treating candidates fairly.
The evolution of polygraph from a pure detection tool to an interview-enhancing instrument has been well documented [27]Verified Interviewing and Interrogation for Law Enforcement
Documents the evolution of polygraph from pure detection tool to interview-enhancing instrument promoting confession and disclosure. Modern polygraph examinations in law enforcement screening contexts serve a dual purpose: they measure physiological responses to relevant questions and also provide a structured interview framework that promotes disclosure of relevant information. This dual function makes the polygraph especially valuable in pre-employment contexts where applicants may not have disclosed all relevant history on their written applications.
For a comprehensive overview of polygraph research, visit our Polygraph Research Database.
Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements
Verify you meet Indiana's minimum requirements: U.S. citizenship, at least 21 years of age (and typically under 40 at appointment), high school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, no felony convictions, and no misdemeanor convictions of domestic violence. Some agencies like ISP require 60 college credit hours, two years of military service, or three years of law enforcement experience.
Apply to a Specific Department
In Indiana, you must be hired by a law enforcement agency before attending the academy. Submit your application to your chosen department — ISP, a municipal police department, a county sheriff's office, or a school police department. Complete all required paperwork thoroughly and truthfully.
Pass Written and Physical Examinations
Most agencies require passing a written examination covering vocabulary, language skills, spatial relationships, and reasoning. Physical abilities tests measure fitness through timed exercises. ISP uses SAT/ACT-style written exams.
Complete the Oral Interview
A structured oral interview evaluates your communication skills, judgment, and suitability for law enforcement. This step typically precedes the polygraph examination.
Prepare for and Complete the Polygraph Examination
The pre-employment polygraph will cover topics including theft from previous employers, falsification of application information, illegal drug use, and criminal activities. All questions are reviewed with you beforehand. Be completely honest on your pre-employment questionnaire — any falsification discovered during the polygraph may result in automatic disqualification.
Undergo Background Investigation, Medical, and Psychological Evaluations
A thorough background investigation verifies all information you provided. Medical and psychological examinations confirm your fitness for duty. These typically occur after or concurrently with the polygraph.
Receive Conditional Offer and Attend Academy Training
Successful candidates receive a conditional offer of employment and are sponsored to attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for 15–26 weeks of intensive training (varies by program), followed by a field training program.
Pros
- Indiana's IC 25-30-2 certification framework ensures all polygraph examiners meet professional competency standards
- The ISP Polygraph Unit provides centralized polygraph services to agencies of all sizes across four regional laboratories
- EPPA government exemption gives Indiana agencies full authority to require pre-employment polygraph testing
- Sanchez v. State framework provides a clear, well-established path for polygraph evidence admissibility in court
- The Indiana Polygraph Association (est. 1971) provides ongoing professional development and training resources
- Validated screening techniques like the DLST offer up to 95% accuracy for honest candidates
- Multiple accredited polygraph schools nationwide prepare examiners for Indiana practice
Cons
- Indiana does not require a separate state license, relying instead on voluntary certification, which creates less regulatory oversight than some states
- Not all Indiana agencies use the same polygraph screening format, potentially creating inconsistent experiences across departments
- Polygraph examinations can extend pre-employment timelines, though this investment in thorough screening protects agencies long-term
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a polygraph examination required to become a police officer in Indiana?
While there is no statewide statutory mandate requiring all Indiana police departments to use polygraph testing, the vast majority of agencies include it as a standard part of their hiring process. The Indiana State Police requires polygraph examinations for all trooper applicants [8]Verified ISP: Frequently Asked Questions — Becoming a Trooper
Confirms ISP selection process includes polygraph examination, eligibility requirements, academy duration, and Military Obligation Program, and numerous municipal and county departments including Delphi PD, Evansville PD, Fishers PD, and Columbus PD all require pre-employment polygraph testing [9]Verified ILEA: Law Enforcement Job Opportunities
Confirms multiple Indiana departments (Delphi, Evansville, Upland) require polygraph testing in their hiring processes [10]Verified Selection Process — Fishers Police Department
Confirms polygraph is Step 12 in Fishers PD's 20-step hiring process [11]Verified Columbus, IN — Police Officer Job
Confirms Columbus PD requires background examination with polygraph exam and lists salary ranges. Job listings posted on the ILEA bulletin board frequently include polygraph testing as a hiring requirement [9]Verified ILEA: Law Enforcement Job Opportunities
Confirms multiple Indiana departments (Delphi, Evansville, Upland) require polygraph testing in their hiring processes.
What topics are covered in an Indiana law enforcement pre-employment polygraph?
Pre-employment polygraph examinations in Indiana typically cover job-related topics including theft from previous employers, falsification of information on job applications, the use of illegal drugs, and criminal activities [7]Verified Polygraph Frequently Asked Questions
Confirms pre-employment polygraph question topics, APA accuracy claims, EPPA exemptions, and procedural requirements. All questions are reviewed and discussed with the examinee during a pre-test interview before any testing begins, and there are no surprise or trick questions [7]Verified Polygraph Frequently Asked Questions
Confirms pre-employment polygraph question topics, APA accuracy claims, EPPA exemptions, and procedural requirements. Some agencies may also ask about driving history, financial issues, and work-related disciplinary matters.
Who regulates polygraph examiners in Indiana?
The Indiana State Police Department regulates polygraph examiners under Indiana Code 25-30-2 [1]Verified Indiana Code Title 25, Article 30 — Private Investigator Firms, Security Guards, and Polygraph Examiners
Confirms IC 25-30-2 governs regulation of polygraph examiners by Indiana State Police. The department issues certificates of competence to individuals who meet established standards including formal training, demonstrated experience, and potentially a written examination [2]Verified Indiana Code 25-30-2-2: Certificate of Competence; Standards and Procedures
Confirms ISP issues certificates of competence under IC 25-30-2-2 requiring formal training, experience, and written examination. While Indiana does not require a separate state license, the certificate of competence is required to use the title of polygraph examiner [4]Verified Indiana Code 25-30-2-5: Use of Title; Violation
Confirms that uncertified individuals may not use polygraph examiner title after December 31, 1983; violations are a Class C infraction.
Are polygraph results admissible in Indiana courts?
Yes. Indiana allows polygraph results to be admitted in court under the four-prerequisite framework established in Sanchez v. State (675 N.E.2d 306, 1996) [23]Verified Sanchez v. State, 675 N.E.2d 306 (Ind. 1996)
Establishes the four prerequisites for admissibility of polygraph evidence in Indiana criminal proceedings. All parties must sign a written stipulation, the court retains discretion over examiner qualifications, the opposing party has the right to cross-examine the examiner, and the jury must receive limiting instructions about the evidence [23]Verified Sanchez v. State, 675 N.E.2d 306 (Ind. 1996)
Establishes the four prerequisites for admissibility of polygraph evidence in Indiana criminal proceedings. The Evansville Police Department reports that approximately 15% of the polygraph examinations it conducts are court-admissible [17]Verified Polygraph Unit — Evansville Police Department
Confirms Indiana admissibility by stipulation, confidentiality of results, 15% evidentiary standard, and EPD examiner training at Backster School.
Can a private employer in Indiana require a polygraph test?
Generally, no. The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA) prohibits most private employers from using polygraph tests for pre-employment screening or during employment [18]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
Confirms EPPA prohibits most private employers from using polygraph tests and that the law does not cover federal, state, and local government agencies. However, EPPA exemptions exist for security guard service firms, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, employers with reasonable suspicion of economic loss, and government contractors involved in national security [18]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
Confirms EPPA prohibits most private employers from using polygraph tests and that the law does not cover federal, state, and local government agencies. Government agencies including all law enforcement departments are completely exempt from EPPA restrictions [18]Verified Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
Confirms EPPA prohibits most private employers from using polygraph tests and that the law does not cover federal, state, and local government agencies.
How long does a pre-employment polygraph examination take?
A pre-employment polygraph examination typically takes between 90 minutes and 3–5 hours depending on the agency and the complexity of the examination. The ISP's polygraph examination guidelines schedule the first examination of the day at 9:00 a.m. and afternoon tests at 1:00 p.m. [14]Verified ISP Physical Evidence Bulletin: Polygraph Examination Guidelines
Confirms ISP polygraph examination scheduling procedures, regional lab locations, and examination guidelines, suggesting each examination block allows ample time. Under EPPA rules that apply to exempt private-sector testing, no test may be less than 90 minutes in duration [7]Verified Polygraph Frequently Asked Questions
Confirms pre-employment polygraph question topics, APA accuracy claims, EPPA exemptions, and procedural requirements.
What happens if I fail a pre-employment polygraph in Indiana?
Policies vary by agency. Some departments have an automatic disqualification policy for any falsification of answers detected during the polygraph process. However, leading research recommends that agencies should not use polygraph results alone to disqualify candidates [21]Verified Integration of Pre-Employment Polygraph Screening into the Police Selection Process
Confirms polygraph results alone should not disqualify candidates; recommends integration with broader hiring process and police psychologists. Instead, results should be integrated into the broader hiring evaluation alongside background investigation findings, psychological assessments, and other screening data. If you believe an error occurred, you can file a request for assistance with the Indiana Polygraph Association or the American Polygraph Association [7]Verified Polygraph Frequently Asked Questions
Confirms pre-employment polygraph question topics, APA accuracy claims, EPPA exemptions, and procedural requirements.
What training schools prepare polygraph examiners for work in Indiana?
Indiana does not operate its own polygraph examiner school, but the ISP requires completion of an ISP-recognized polygraph examination training program [33]Verified Indiana State Police — Civilian Polygraph Examiner Position
Confirms ISP civilian polygraph examiner requires baccalaureate degree, starting salary of $63,869 per year. APA-accredited schools nationwide prepare examiners for practice, including the Backster School of Lie Detection (which trained Evansville PD's examiners [36]Verified Polygraph Unit Background — Evansville Police Department
Confirms two EPD investigators trained at Backster School of Lie Detection and conduct pre-employment and criminal investigation polygraphs), the American International Institute of Polygraph, the International Academy of Polygraph, the National Center for Credibility Assessment, and the PEAK Credibility Assessment Training center, among others.
Where can I book a lie detector test in Indiana?
Sources & References
Confirms IC 25-30-2 governs regulation of polygraph examiners by Indiana State Police
Confirms ISP issues certificates of competence under IC 25-30-2-2 requiring formal training, experience, and written examination
Confirms statutory definitions of polygraph examiner, polygraph instrument, and department under IC 25-30-2
Confirms that uncertified individuals may not use polygraph examiner title after December 31, 1983; violations are a Class C infraction
Confirms Indiana does not require a separate state license for polygraph examiners and that EPPA governs private-sector use
Confirms the proposed IC 25-30-3 legislation to create a Polygraph Examiner Certification Board with detailed requirements
Confirms pre-employment polygraph question topics, APA accuracy claims, EPPA exemptions, and procedural requirements
Confirms ISP selection process includes polygraph examination, eligibility requirements, academy duration, and Military Obligation Program
Confirms multiple Indiana departments (Delphi, Evansville, Upland) require polygraph testing in their hiring processes
Confirms polygraph is Step 12 in Fishers PD's 20-step hiring process
Confirms Columbus PD requires background examination with polygraph exam and lists salary ranges
Confirms Portage PD requires polygraph/voice stress examination for applicants
Confirms ISP Polygraph Unit provides services to ISP and other state, county, and local agencies; polygraph extensively used in child molestation investigations
Confirms ISP polygraph examination scheduling procedures, regional lab locations, and examination guidelines
Confirms DLST accuracy of 98% for innocent and 83.3% for guilty examinees in laboratory studies
Identifies key procedural and environmental conditions essential for valid polygraph examination administration
Confirms Indiana admissibility by stipulation, confidentiality of results, 15% evidentiary standard, and EPD examiner training at Backster School
Confirms EPPA prohibits most private employers from using polygraph tests and that the law does not cover federal, state, and local government agencies
Confirms EPPA does not affect testing for government agencies, and details government and private-sector exemptions
Confirms ILEA provides training for nearly 600 departments with 13,000 officers and requires 24 hours annual ongoing training
Confirms polygraph results alone should not disqualify candidates; recommends integration with broader hiring process and police psychologists
Confirms Indiana does not have state-level polygraph protection requirements; private-sector employees protected by federal EPPA only
Establishes the four prerequisites for admissibility of polygraph evidence in Indiana criminal proceedings
Reaffirms Sanchez four-prerequisite framework and clarifies that stipulations need not explicitly state all prerequisites
Confirms Hubbard v. State scrutiny requirements and detailed IC 25-30-2-2 certification standards for court testimony
Confirms judicial precedent permits law enforcement agencies to require employees to submit to polygraph during bona fide internal investigations
Documents the evolution of polygraph from pure detection tool to interview-enhancing instrument promoting confession and disclosure
Confirms IPA serves over 50 members including examiners, educators, and researchers committed to ethical practices
Confirms Matt Collins as IPA president and Indiana's voluntary certification framework as recognized by the APA
Confirms IPA provides ways and means for examiners to unite and promote dissemination of new ideas, methods, and techniques
Confirms ISP civilian polygraph examiner requires baccalaureate degree, starting salary of $63,869 per year
Confirms ISP polygraph examiner duties including pre-employment testing, investigative testing, court testimony, and training program requirements
Confirms Polygraph Unit Supervisor responsibilities including proficiency testing, expert testimony monitoring, and quality assurance
Confirms two EPD investigators trained at Backster School of Lie Detection and conduct pre-employment and criminal investigation polygraphs
Confirms ILEA located in Plainfield, 17-member Training Board, over 600 hours of basic training, mandatory since 1972, and six satellite facilities
Confirms NILEA provides in-service training to over 2,500 police officers annually
Confirms state law requires departments to hire and sponsor officers before academy attendance; polygraph is a required step
Concluded that RI screening format has substantially poorer decision accuracy than other validated formats
Investigated whether algorithmic support could resolve fundamental reliability issues with RI screening tests
Proposes standardized DLST format with specific question structure for law enforcement screening programs
Found significantly better than chance detection rates for counterintelligence screening polygraph tests
Found 94.9% accuracy for innocent examinees in security screening polygraph contexts
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