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Polygraph Examiners, also called Lie Detection Examiners, question individuals to detect deception or to verify truthfulness, using polygraph equipment and standard polygraph techniques.

JOB DUTIES 

Polygraph Examiners may:

Interview the subject and review the questions to be asked

Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources for information to be used in questioning

Attach equipment to the individual to measure and record physiological changes

Evaluate reactions to questions of a non-emotional nature

Interpret and diagnose the individual's emotional responses to key questions as recorded by the graph

Appear in court as a witness

Prepare reports and keep records

Instruct others in polygraph interrogation techniques

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

199.267-026 POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS, also called lie detection examiners, question individuals to detect deception or to verify truthfulness, using polygraph equipment and standard polygraph techniques. Some Polygraph Examiners specialize in working for either public agencies or private firms. Polygraph operators employed by law enforcement agencies may be known as forensic polygraph examiners.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Working conditions of Polygraph Examiners depend on their specialization and type of employer. Public Examiners may work with police and law enforcement personnel or they may work under the supervision of a senior Polygraph Examiner. Private Examiners may work with little or no supervision.

Polygraph Examiners usually work in clean, well lighted quiet offices. They may visit morgues, examine the scenes of crimes, and testify in court. They might be under pressure in tense situations.

Polygraph Examiners usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. They may work irregular hours to complete important examinations or to accommodate clients' work hours. Examiners who appear in court, perform pre-examination research, or perform their duties at clients' establishments may travel extensively.

In general, Polygraph Examiners need not join a union. They are certified by the Lie-Detection School from which they graduate. Some Polygraph Examiners may join professional organizations such as the American Polygraph Association of the American Association of Police Polygraphists. Association members pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities concerned with the communication of data

• Activities of a scientific and technical nature

• Activities involving the use of machines and techniques

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason logically and use step-by-step procedures

• Know the meanings of words and ideas and use language effectively

• Perceive detail in objects or drawings

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

• Perceive details and recognize errors in written matter

• Work within precise standards of accuracy

• Make decisions based on verifiable data or personal judgment

• Assume responsibility for decisions made

• Handle confidential information and work under pressure

• Have good working relationships with others

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

When a suspects heart rate increases by over 5% after a certain question, he or she fails the test. If a suspects heart rate increases from 60 to 65 beats per minute did he or she pass or fail the test?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Requests for a leave of absence must be made in writing by using a leave of absence agreement form. This form documents the day the leave begins and ends.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining your finding after completing a series of tests on a suspect.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at test data and decide if the suspect passes or fails the polygraph test.

In Michigan, forensic Polygraph Examiners must be licensed by the Forensic Polygraph Examiner's Licensing Board of the Department of Consumer and Industry Services. Applicants must be at least 18 years old; be a U.S. citizen who has resided in Michigan for at least 6 consecutive months immediately prior to application; have not been convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment, or any crime involving moral turpitude; have at least a bachelor's degree in an area related to forensic science; and have completed an approved internship training program or have acceptable experience. Also, applicants must pass a written and oral test, a background investigation, and provide one federal and one state fingerprint card.

Applicants may obtain a "public" or "private" license, or both. A "public" license restricts the Examiner to working for government agencies. A "private" license allows the Examiner to work for private businesses only.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: An Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1700 GOVERNMENT , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

091 LAW ENFORCEMENT & CORRECTIONS

Programs in Law Enforcement and Corrections provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed for employment in protective services, local police forces, county sheriff departments, Michigan State Police, the Michigan Department of Corrections, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Courses within this program vary but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

PSYCHOLOGISTS

Psychological research and treatment are important to national defense. Research can show how to improve military training, job assignment, and equipment design. Treatment can help personnel cope with stress. Psychologists conduct research on human behavior and treat patients with mental problems.

What They Do

Psychologists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Conduct research on human and animal behavior, emotions, and thinking processes

• Conduct research on aptitude and job performance

• Give psychological tests and interpret results to diagnose patients' problems

• Treat patients individually and in groups

• Conduct experiments to determine the best equipment design, work procedures and training course content

• Write research reports

• Direct research projects performed by outside contractors

Special Requirements

A 4-year college degree in psychology is required to enter this occupation. Some specialties require a master's degree.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Desire to help others

• Interest in scientific research

• Interest in mathematics and statistics

Work Environment

Psychologists usually work in offices, hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities on land and aboard ships.

Civilian Counterparts

Some civilian psychologists treat patients in private practice, hospitals, school systems, and mental health centers. They are called clinical psychologists, counseling psychologists, or educational psychologists. Other civilian psychologists conduct research work for universities, research firms, and government agencies. They are called experimental psychologists, social psychologist, and psychometrician.

Training Provided

No initial job training is provided for officers in this occupation. Advanced courses are available in some specialties.

Opportunities

The services have about 300 psychologists. On average, they need 30 new psychologists each year. Positions for psychologists in the Coast Guard are filled by U.S. Public Health Service Officers. With experience, they may lead projects of their own. New clinical psychologists may treat patients in military clinics. Eventually, both research and clinical psychologists may become directors of offices or laboratories.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Few opportunities for experience exist. Students might discuss the job with a local Examiner. Training and experience may be obtained in military service by attending a polygraph school, and in postsecondary education programs in law enforcement and corrections.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Psychologist employer

internships

volunteer work with a Psychologist employer

community service work with an agency

Common methods include applying directly to employers, such as police departments, and passing civil service exams. School placement offices and newspaper want ads might have useful information. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Polygraph Examiners vary by the individual's training, experience, and ability as well as the type of firm, its clientele, and the geographic site. In the private sector, the individual's personality and professional reputation are also key factors.

Polygraph Examiners working for the federal government started at a minimum salary of (GS-5) $20,588 per year (1999). The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas. Experienced Examiners may earn considerably more.

Most Polygraph Examiners work for state or local police departments and earn salaries which correspond to their grade or rank. Michigan state police officers working as Polygraph Examiners had annual salaries ranging from $37,814 to $67,267 per year in mid 1999.

In 1998, Police officers, working in the crime laboratory for the city of Detroit, may be assigned the duties of Polygraph Examiners. Their salaries ranged from $30,896 to $40,810 annually. In Kalamazoo, polygraph examiners earned between $47,674 and $53,475 per year in 1999.

Polygraph Examiners may supplement their incomes with part-time work as either a public or private Examiner if licensed in both specialties.

Most Polygraph Examiners receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and retirement plans. Examiners who are self-employed provide their own benefits.

Experienced Examiners may advance to supervisory positions through a combination of experience, education, and job performance. Some experienced public Examiners find employment working for private companies. Others start their own businesses.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

In 1999, the American Polygraph Association has 2,300 members. The number of polygraph examiners in the United States who are not members of this association is unknown. Heavy caseloads and increased public pressure to cut down on backlogs and delays in the court system may create a demand for Polygraph Examiners. Graduates of state-approved lie-detection schools should have an advantage. The need for Examiners in government will increase. Federal and state laws prohibit the use of polygraph examinations in the pre-employment screening of job applicants.

There were about 100 Polygraph Examiners licensed by the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services in 1999. About half of the Polygraph Examiners held private licenses. Public Examiners generally work for local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies. Private Examiners are either self employed or work for private polygraph firms and handle attorney's cases or provide services for employers. Most Examiners work in urban areas.

Little change is expected in the employment of Polygraph Examiners in Michigan through the year 2006. Most openings will be due to replacement of Examiners who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Polygraph Examiner can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development