Test Question Contruction Flashcards
Relevant Question
A Question asked during a PDD examination that pertains directly to the matter under investigation for which the examinee is being tested.
Types of Relevant Questions
Primary
Secondary
Primary Relevant Questions
Always address primary issue
Direct involvement (Did you…?)
Uses an action verb
In specific issue testing, one primary issue question per PDD exam
Generally requires a “No” answer (for suspect testing)
Relevant Questions
Specific issue Confirmatory Testing for victims, witnesses, and informants
Rare type of PDD test
May use “Yes” answered relevant questions
Issue becomes examinee’s truthfulness
Do not mix “yes” and “no” answered relevant questions during the same polygraph series
Primary Relevant Example
Did you (Direct Involvement)
Steal (Action Verb)
That car (Primary issue)
Secondary Relevant Questions
Addresses secondary elements of the primary issue
Never addresses direct involvement
Four areas from which secondary relevant questions are developed )if investigative case facts allow): Secondary involvement (help, plan or participate), secondary element (see, hear, know), knowledge of the nature or location of evidence, physical acts that support the primary issue
Secondary involvement: help, plan, or participate (in any way)
Relevant Question Guidelines
Prioritizing issues/target selection
Proper relevant question construction
“What is the most serious element of the case”
Guidelines for Proper Target Selection
Most serious/intense target
Focus on the act (action verb)
Focus on probable motive
Issue that connects suspect most closely to crime
Determine most serious target (issue at hand): State Statutes
Focus on the action required to commit the offense
Avoid perception/intent
Relevant Question Construction Guidelines
Shall be clear and concise
Avoid legal terms/emotional evoking words
Present a clear dichotomy of yes or no
Avoid accusatory questions
Avoid emotional terms
Sacrifice Relevant Question
Introduces primary relevant issue
Assists in absorbing Orienting Response
Question is not evaluated
Sacrificial Relevant Question Construction Guidelines
Standard Format
Always answered with yes
Specific wording in Federal methods
Comparison Questions (Probable Lie)
A probable lie is the denial of a misdeed in which a person has more than likely engaged, or considered doing (used to identify innocent people)
A physiological response is compared to the physiological response of a relevant question
Differential Salience
NDI examinees - comparison questions
DI examinees - relevant questions
Comparative Question Construction Guidelines
Similar to relevant issue
Isolated by time, place, or category
In most cases, action verbs are the same as or similar in nature
Broad in scope and time
Worded so examinee always answer “No”
Want the action verb to be the same or similar to the relevant question
Broad in scope and time
May encompass as many experiences as possible for NDI examinee
Comparison Question Prefixes
Other than what you told me,…..
Besides what we discussed,…..
Other than that one time,…..
