ASTM E2035-12(2017)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2035 − 12 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Terminology Relating to
Forensic Psychophysiology
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2035; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
DISCUSSION—The AFMGQT can be used in single-issue, multiple
1. Scope
facet, and multiple-issue PDD examinations. The AFMGQT uses
1.1 This is a compilation of terms and corresponding
relevant, comparison, sacrifice relevant and irrelevant questions.
definitions used in forensic psychophysiology. Legal or scien-
artifact, n—a change in a PDD tracing that is not arributable to
tific terms that generally are understood or defined adequately
a review test question, stimulus, recovery, or homeostasis.
in other readily available sources may not be included.
cardiovascular tracing, n—a display of physiological patterns
1.2 A definition is a single sentence with additional infor-
mation included in notes. It is reviewed every five years, and of the subject’s relative blood pressure and pulse rate.
DISCUSSION—The cardiograph component records this activity.
the year of the last review or revision is appended.
1.3 Definitions identical to those published by another comparison question, n—type of question, the physiological
standards organization or ASTM committee are identified with responses from which are compared to those generated by
the abbreviation of the name of the organization or the the relevant questions.
identifying document and ASTM committee; for example,
counterintelligence-scope polygraph (CSP), n—screening
ASME is the American Society of Mechanical Engineering.
examination administered by the Federal Government on
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are
individuals with sensitive security clearances to detect and
identified with an abbreviation.
deter espionage, security breaches, sabotage, or other acts
against the government.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
DISCUSSION—Sometimes referred to as a loyalty examination.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., n—although
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
not a PDD case, the Daubert case set aside the landmark
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Frye rule’s “general acceptability” provisions in favor of the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Federal Rules of Evidence.
DISCUSSION—This paved the way for the admissibility of PDD
2. Significance and Use
evidence in most jurisdictions.
2.1 These terms have particular application to the scientific
deception indicated (DI), n—a conventional term for a PDD
discipline of forensic psychophysiology. In addition, a hierar-
outcome.
chy of sources of definitions are used in the development of
DISCUSSION—A decision of DI means that the physiological data are
this terminology. The hierarchy is as follows: Websters’s New
stable and interpretable and that the evaluation criteria used by the
World Dictionary, Third College Edition; technical dictionar-
examiner concluded that the examinee was not being completely
ies; and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions. The
truthful to the relevant issue. DI corresponds to the term significant
subcommittee developed a suitable definition after all of the
physiological responses (SPR).
sources in the hierarchy are found wanting.
deception test, n—a family of PDD examinations where direct
3. Terminology questions are posed to the examinee during physiological
recording regarding the examinee’s involvement in what is
3.1 Terms and Definitions:
covered in the relevant question.
Air Force modified general question test (AFMGQT),
DISCUSSION—Unlike recognition tests, both truthful and deceptive
n—test format with flexible question orderings and numbers
examinees are aware of which questions are relevant, and direct
of relevant questions.
participation, not just recognition, is tested. Deception tests include
PDD comparison question tests and PDD relevant/irrelevant tests.
This terminology standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E52
on Forensic Psychophysiology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
E52.06 on Terminology.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2017. Published October 2017. Originally For more information, see Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E2035 – 12. DOI: (1992), 509 U.S. 579, 125 1. Ed 2d 469; United States v. Frye 54 App D.C. 46,
10.1520/E2035-12R17. 293 F 1013.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2035 − 12 (2017)
differential salience, n—an expression that characterizes the investigative PDD procedures, n—routine PDD examinations
that are used to explore wider issues than evidentiary PDD
tendency for the magnitude of physiological responses to
reveal the perceived psychological significance an individual examinations and are not intended to meet exacting eviden-
tiary standards.
attaches to specific stimuli which, under controlled
DISCUSSION—Investigative procedures may include applicant testing,
conditions, permits a reliable inference of either recognition
PCSOT, and multiple-facet criminal testing.
or deception by the comparison of response magnitudes to
all stimuli within a defined grouping.
irrelevant question, n—An irrelevant question is designed to
be a non-emotion provoking question (also referred to as
disclosure examinations over sexual history, n—a clinical
norms or neutral questions).
polygraph examination intended to explore pre-conviction
modified general question test (MGQT), n—test format
“lifetime” sexual behavioral histories and activities which
patterned after the Reid test and modified by the U.S.
include the disclosure of additional victims, sexual education
military. It contains relevant, irrelevant, and comparison
sources, victimization, exposure and utilization of
questions.
pornography, the onset of masturbation, paraphilias, sexual
DISCUSSION—The MGQT is widely used in the field and has a body
deviance, and therapeutic issues.
of validity research.
DISCUSSION—It is a utility-designed multiple-issue polygraph test,
subject to the successive hurdles decision approach.
monitoring examination, n—A clinical polygraph examina-
tion specifically intended to uncover whether the offender
electrodermal tracing, n—the display of physiological pat-
has committed any illegal sexual act(s) with a child or any
terns of either skin resistance or skin conductance obtained
other sexual act forbidden by law during a sex offender’s
through exosomatic recording with a galvanograph compo-
period of supervision.
nent.
DISCUSSION—The requested test timeframe can be since the imposi-
tion of the offender’s parole or probation, since his last test, or since any
evidentiary PDD examination, n—test procedures that are
other period designated by supervision officers. This is exclusively a
designed to meet minimum standards for admissibility in
single-issue polygraph test.
court or administrative hearings.
multiple-facet polygraph test, n—a test in which the relevant
DISCUSSION— Among the necessary components are: electronic
questions cover the same event, though the questions may
recording of the session, use of a PDD technique for which the
cover different aspects of that event.
preponderance of the published peer-reviewed research shows an
DISCUSSION—Because the relevant questions all relate to the same
average accuracy of 90 % or better; individually validated scoring
event, in field conditions the examinee would typically be entirely
rules, and optimized decision rules. Use of a movement sensor is also
either truthful or deceptive to all questions, though this is not a
recommended.
condition of the multiple-facet polygraph test. One multiple-facet PDD
format is the Reid test.
false negative, n—misclassification of a deceptive person as
truthful.
multiple-issue polygraph test, n—a test in which the relevant
questions cover two or more areas that are partially or
false positive, n—misclassification of a truthful person as
completely independent from one another.
deceptive.
DISCUSSION— Forms of multiple-issue polygraph testing include
PCSOT, applicant testing, and counterintelligence screening.
forensic psychophysiology, n—the scientific discipline deal-
ing with the relationship and applications of PDD tests
no deception indicated (NDI), n—a conventional term for a
within the legal system.
PDD outcome.
DISCUSSION— It encompasses the academic discipline that provides DISCUSSION—A decision of NDI means that the physiological data are
stable and interpretable and that the evaluation criteria used by the
the student, the practitioner, and the researcher with the theoretical and
examiner concluded that the examinee was being completely truthful to
applied psychological, physiological, and psychophysiological funda-
the relevant issue. NDI corresponds to the term no significant physi-
mentals for a thorough understanding of PDD tests and the skills and
ological responses (NSR).
qualifications for conducting PDD examinations. The modifier “
forensic” delineates and delimits this discipline from the broader
noise, n—in PDD, it is the random variation in the recorded
discipline of psychophysiology.
data that has no diagnostic value, and when excessive, may
take the identification of diagnostic patterns more difficult.
format, n—the established sequence or rules for ordering
questions for presentation during testing.
no opinion (NO), n—a PDD examination finding which
indicates that no decision could be made because the testing
homeostasis, n—a complex interactive regulatory system by
protocol was incomplete, distorted, or interfered with in such
which the body strives to maintain a state of internal
a way as to prevent proper evaluation.
equilibrium.
DISCUSSION—This lack of completion could be due to the failure of
the examinee to cooperate, premature termination of the examination,
inconclusive, n—a PDD examination finding that indicates the
or any other event which prevents the successful completion of testing
testing phase was completed and the data did not contain
or the proper collection of the physiological data.
sufficient or consistent diagnostic information on which to
base a definitiv
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2035 − 12 E2035 − 12 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Terminology Relating to
Forensic Psychophysiology
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2035; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This is a compilation of terms and corresponding definitions used in forensic psychophysiology. Legal or scientific terms
that generally are understood or defined adequately in other readily available sources may not be included.
1.2 A definition is a single sentence with additional information included in notes. It is reviewed every five years, and the year
of the last review or revision is appended.
1.3 Definitions identical to those published by another standards organization or ASTM committee are identified with the
abbreviation of the name of the organization or the identifying document and ASTM committee; for example, ASME is the
American Society of Mechanical Engineering.
1.4 Definitions of terms specific to a particular field are identified with an abbreviation.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 These terms have particular application to the scientific discipline of forensic psychophysiology. In addition, a hierarchy of
sources of definitions are used in the development of this terminology. The hierarchy is as follows: Websters’s New World
Dictionary, Third College Edition; technical dictionaries; and the Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions. The subcommittee
developed a suitable definition after all of the sources in the hierarchy are found wanting.
3. Terminology
3.1 Terms and Definitions:
Air Force modified general question test (AFMGQT), n—test format with flexible question orderings and numbers of relevant
questions.
This terminology standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E52 on Forensic Psychophysiology and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E52.06 on
Terminology.
Current edition approved March 1, 2012Oct. 1, 2017. Published March 2012October 2017. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20112012 as
E2035 – 11.E2035 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/E2035-12.10.1520/E2035-12R17.
DISCUSSION—
The AFMGQT can be used in single-issue, multiple facet, and multiple-issue PDD examinations. The AFMGQT uses relevant, comparison, sacrifice
relevant and irrelevant questions.
artifact, n—a change in a PDD tracing that is not arributable to a review test question, stimulus, recovery, or homeostasis.
cardiovascular tracing, n—a display of physiological patterns of the subject’s relative blood pressure and pulse rate.
DISCUSSION—
The cardiograph component records this activity.
comparison question, n—type of question, the physiological responses from which are compared to those generated by the
relevant questions.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2035 − 12 (2017)
counterintelligence-scope polygraph (CSP), n—screening examination administered by the Federal Government on individuals
with sensitive security clearances to detect and deter espionage, security breaches, sabotage, or other acts against the
government.
DISCUSSION—
Sometimes referred to as a loyalty examination.
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., n—although not a PDD case, the Daubert case set aside the landmark Frye rule’s
“general acceptability” provisions in favor of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
DISCUSSION—
This paved the way for the admissibility of PDD evidence in most jurisdictions.
deception indicated (DI), n—a conventional term for a PDD outcome.
For more information, see Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1992), 509 U.S. 579, 125 1. Ed 2d 469; United States v. Frye 54 App D.C. 46, 293 F 1013.
DISCUSSION—
A decision of DI means that the physiological data are stable and interpretable and that the evaluation criteria used by the examiner concluded that
the examinee was not being completely truthful to the relevant issue. DI corresponds to the term significant physiological responses (SPR).
deception test, n—a family of PDD examinations where direct questions are posed to the examinee during physiological recording
regarding the examinee’s involvement in what is covered in the relevant question.
DISCUSSION—
Unlike recognition tests, both truthful and deceptive examinees are aware of which questions are relevant, and direct participation, not just recognition,
is tested. Deception tests include PDD comparison question tests and PDD relevant/irrelevant tests.
differential salience, n—an expression that characterizes the tendency for the magnitude of physiological responses to reveal the
perceived psychological significance an individual attaches to specific stimuli which, under controlled conditions, permits a
reliable inference of either recognition or deception by the comparison of response magnitudes to all stimuli within a defined
grouping.
disclosure examinations over sexual history, n—a clinical polygraph examination intended to explore pre-conviction “lifetime”
sexual behavioral histories and activities which include the disclosure of additional victims, sexual education sources,
victimization, exposure and utilization of pornography, the onset of masturbation, paraphilias, sexual deviance, and therapeutic
issues.
DISCUSSION—
It is a utility-designed multiple-issue polygraph test, subject to the successive hurdles decision approach.
electrodermal tracing, n—the display of physiological patterns of either skin resistance or skin conductance obtained through
exosomatic recording with a galvanograph component.
evidentiary PDD examination, n—test procedures that are designed to meet minimum standards for admissibility in court or
administrative hearings.
DISCUSSION—
Among the necessary components are: electronic recording of the session, use of a PDD technique for which the preponderance of the published
peer-reviewed research shows an average accuracy of 90 % or better; individually validated scoring rules, and optimized decision rules. Use of a
movement sensor is also recommended.
false negative, n—misclassification of a deceptive person as truthful.
false positive, n—misclassification of a truthful person as deceptive.
E2035 − 12 (2017)
forensic psychophysiology, n—the scientific discipline dealing with the relationship and applications of PDD tests within the legal
system.
DISCUSSION—
It encompasses the academic discipline that provides the student, the practitioner, and the researcher with the theoretical and applied psychological,
physiological, and psychophysiological fundamentals for a thorough understanding of PDD tests and the skills and qualifications for conducting PDD
examinations. The modifier “ forensic” delineates and delimits this discipline from the broader discipline of psychophysiology.
format, n—the established sequence or rules for ordering questions for presentation during testing.
homeostasis, n—a complex interactive regulatory system by which the body strives to maintain a state of internal equilibrium.
inconclusive, n—a PDD examination finding that indicates the testing phase was completed and the data did not contain sufficient
or consistent diagnostic information on which to base a definitive decision concerning the truthfulness of the examinee.
investigative PDD procedures, n—routine PDD examinations that are used to explore wider issues than evidentiary PDD
examinations and are not intended to meet exacting evidentiary standards.
DISCUSSION—
Investigative procedures may include applicant testing, PCSOT, and multiple-facet criminal testing.
irrelevant question, n—An irrelevant question is designed to be a non-emotion provoking question (also referred to as norms or
neutral questions).
modified general question test (MGQT), n—test format patterned after the Reid test and modified by the U.S. military. It contains
relevant, irrelevant, and comparison questions.
DISCUSSION—
The MGQT is widely used in the field and has a body of validity research.
monitoring examination, n—A clinical polygraph examination specifically intended to uncover whether the offender has
committed any illegal sexual act(s) with a child or any other sexual act forbidden by law during a sex offender’s period of
supervision.
DISCUSSION—
The requested test timeframe can be since the imposition of the offender’s parole or probation, since his last test, or since any other period designated
by supervision officers. This is exclusively a single-issue polygraph test.
multiple-facet polygraph test, n—a test in which the relevant questions cover the same event, though the questions may cover
different aspects of that event.
DISCUSSION—
Because the relevant questions all relate to the same event, in field conditions the examinee would typically be entirely either truthful or deceptive to
all questions, though this is not a condition of the multiple-facet polygraph test. One multiple-facet PDD format is the Reid test.
multiple-issue polygraph test, n—a test in which the relevant questions cover two or more areas that are partially or completely
independent from one another.
DISCUSSION—
Forms of multiple-issue polygraph testing include PCSOT, applicant testing, and counterintelligence screening.
no deception indicated (NDI), n—a conventional term for a PDD outcome.
DISCUSSION—
A decision of NDI means that the physiological data are stable and interpretable and that the evaluation criteria used by the examiner concluded that
the examinee was being completely truthful to the relevant issue. NDI corresponds to the term no significant physiological responses (NSR).
E2035 − 12 (2017)
noise, n—in PDD, it is the random variation in the recorded data that has no diagnostic value, and when excessive, may take the
identification of diagnostic patterns more difficult.
no opinion (NO), n—a PDD examination finding which indicates that no decision could be made because the testing protocol was
incomplete, distorted, or interfered with in such
...