The use of a computerized polygraph during forensic psychological research is generally regulated by the methodology of forensic examination and, in addition, uses its own scientifically based methods inherent only in this study.

The purpose of conducting psychological examinations using a computerized polygraph is to identify significant psychophysiological reactions of a person to the psychological stimulus, which allows to establish the level and psychological nature of a person`s awareness in the content field of information patterns (attitudes) that they produce or reproduce, as well as to determine the psychological nature of a person’s presentation of information as a basis for further legal qualification.

According to the order of the State Enterprise “Ukrainian Research and Training Centre for Standardisation, Certification, and Quality” (SE “UkrRTC”) dated 16 November 2023 No. 391, DSTU 9266:2023 was adopted and entered into force on 1 May 2024. Forensic psychological examination. The use of a polygraph. General requirements.

According to the structure, the procedure for conducting a psychological examination using a polygraph consists of the following content modules:
– psychological analysis of the circumstances set forth in the framework of the proceedings (criminal, civil, etc.) and the issues put to the decision of the examination;
– preparation of a test questionnaire;
– pre-test psychodiagnostics conversation;
– functional psychodiagnostics study (testing) using a polygraph;
– psychodiagnostics study of individual psychological characteristics of the sub-expert person;
– generalization of the results, summarizing and drawing up the conclusion.

Psychological examination using a polygraph is carried out exclusively with the voluntary consent of the sub-expert.

The object of psychological examinations using a computerized polygraph is a person as a carrier of psychophysiological manifestations of the course of mental processes associated with the perception, preservation, and subsequent reproduction by a person of information about any events or circumstances, as well as material carriers that reflect the functions of cognitive, volitional, or emotional processes in the form of leading mental states of a person.

The generic object of functional psychodiagnostics studies using a computerized polygraph during psychological examinations is a person’s personality.

A special object of psychological examinations using a computer polygraph is a person’s personal mnemonic experience.

The subject of psychological examinations using a computerized polygraph is the psychophysiological reactions of a person (personality), manifested by them in response to psychological stimulus, reflecting the content of a specific information pattern (event, circumstances or their details).

The main tasks solved when conducting psychological research using a computerized polygraph within the framework of forensic psychological examinations:

• identification of significant psychological stimulus based on the study of the facts and circumstances of the event as set out in criminal proceedings, court cases, applicants’ materials and authentic testimony of a person obtained without any outside influence or coercion;
• recording the physiological reactions of a person in response to the presentation of psychological stimulus selected by an expert;
  establishing the level of significance for a person of the psychological stimulus determined by the expert, which is caused by the distortion, concealment or confirmation of the information provided by the person;
• determining whether the information provided by the person is consistent or inconsistent with their personal experience within the situation under investigation/under study in the proceedings (case), based on the analysis of the physiological reactions obtained.

An indicative list of issues to be addressed when conducting psychological research using a computerized polygraph within the framework of psychological examinations:

1. During the psychological examination using a computerized polygraph, are there any significant reactions that indicate that the subject has information about the details and circumstances of the event (situation) that is under investigation?
2. During a psychological examination using a computerized polygraph, are there any significant reactions that indicate that information about the details and circumstances of the event under investigation was received by the examiner at the time of the event?
3. During a psychological examination using a computerized polygraph, are there any significant reactions that indicate that the expert has information about persons directly involved in the event (situation) being investigated/researched in the proceedings (case)?
4. During a psychological examination using a computerized polygraph, are there any significant reactions that indicate that the expert has received information about persons directly involved in the event (situation) being investigated/investigated in the proceedings (case) at the time of the event?
5. During a psychological examination using a computerized polygraph, are there any significant reactions that indicate that the subject has information that contradicts what they have previously reported?

According to clause 6.10 of DSTU 9266:2023. Forensic psychological examination. The use of a polygraph. General requirements:

“Due to the limitations caused by the laws of human physiology, that determine the level of information content of the indicators recorded during a forensic psychological examination using a polygraph, as well as the requirements for the development of test questionnaires within the framework of existing methods, no more than six questions relating to one common thematic area can be asked for the examination within one expert proceeding.”

The above list of questions is indicative and may be supplemented / modified / clarified in accordance with the situation under investigation in the criminal proceedings (case), the applicant’s materials.