Abstract:

The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the effects of using a combination of physical countermeasures during polygraph testing on the accuracy of the results of the polygraph testing. In our preliminary study, ten subjects (volunteers) were randomly distributed in two experimental groups: the first group engaged in using countermeasures during the testing phase, and the second group didn¢t use any kind of countermeasures. We used one of the most widely spread test formats: The Control Question Test. The results suggest that a combination of physical countermeasures can be effective if proper training is provided. Furthermore, using a combination of countermeasures can result in a relatively stable physiological pattern recorded on the charts; this pattern can be identified and used in the interpretation of the charts as a "counter-countermeasure". The results are disscused in the context of psychophysiological detection of deceptive individuals.

Keywords: polygraph testing, countermeasures, physiological pattern, counter-countermeasures, psychophysiological detection of deception