Polygraph Examiners (PEC)

Purpose

This course will provide the student with the skills, knowledge and procedures needed to conduct successful polygraph examinations.

Course content

A. The academic phase consists of instruction in the following major topics:

1. History and theory.
2. Instrumentation.
3. Polygraph equipment and facilities.
4. Psychology.
5. Physiology.
6. Pharmacology.
7. Pre-test procedures.
8. Examination techniques.
9. Test question formulation.
10. In-test procedures.
11. Chart analysis.
12. Post-test procedure.
13. Other factors affecting test results.
14. Other testing procedures.
15. Interrogation.
16. Miscellaneous polygraph instruction.
17. Legal aspects.
18. Professional ethics.
19. Computer Assisted Polygraph Systems.

The practical exercise phase at the CPC consists of each student conducting polygraph examinations on live subjects under operational conditions and utilizing the techniques taught. Written, oral and practical examinations are held throughout the course.

B. The second portion of the course, two (2) weeks of internship phase, consists of student-conducted polygraph examinations under the supervision of a designated field trainer. The student will be required to travel to the geographical location of the field trainer for this phase.

C. The last portion of the course, the certification phase, consists of the students sending their first three polygraph files to the Canadian Police College for quality control testing. If these are satisfactory, the students send a log of their next twenty-two polygraph files, from which four are randomly selected. These four are sent to the Canadian Police College and tested by quality control; if satisfactory, the students are certified. If not, the next four files must be sent to the Canadian Police College for quality control testing. If these examinations are not satisfactory, the students will not be able to continue with the course. An appeal process is in place for students who fail to meet these criteria.

Student selection criteria

• Student must be a member of an accredited police force with a minimum complement of 100 officers, or a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
• Prior to acceptance for training, the student's department must have a suitable polygraph room equipped with all necessary equipment, including audio-visual capabilities and a computerized polygraph system.
• The student's department must be able to demonstrate a need for and ability to support a full time polygraph examiner.
• Students must have at least five years criminal investigation experience, and be a competent investigator with a natural aptitude and a proven ability to conduct criminal investigative interviews.
• The student selection process is under review - please contact the CPC Polygraph Training Coordinator for further details.

Student assessment

The students must pass all written, oral and practical examinations in order to obtain certification.

Duration of course

One year:

1. Fifty-two day academic phase spread over an eleven week period to allow for a two-day mid-term break,
2. A two week internship phase, and
3. A certification phase - which must be completed within one year of the start date of the Polygraph Examiners' Course.

Class size: Fourteen.

Language of instruction: English.