Polygraph Examiner

State of Maryland•Baltimore County, MD

About The Position

The position conducts pre-employment polygraph examinations for sworn and civilian applicants of the Maryland State Police and allied agencies throughout Maryland in accordance with the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission mandate requiring police applicants to undergo pre-employment truth verification testing. The position conducts polygraph examinations for sensitive internal investigations and criminal investigations for the Maryland State Police and allied agencies and post-conviction polygraph examinations on sexual offenders who are on parole or probation under the supervision of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The position prepares written reports of polygraph test results and testifies as an expert witness in courts of law regarding polygraph related issues.

Requirements

Five years of experience, three years of experience in criminal investigative work with a recognized law enforcement agency, including one year of experience administering Polygraph examinations and two years of additional experience in professional work in law enforcement.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of experience in criminal investigative work with a recognized law enforcement agency, including one year of experience administering Polygraph examinations for the required experience.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a graduate degree from an accredited college or university for one of the three years of the required general criminal investigative experience.
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Law Enforcement classifications or Criminal Investigator or Special Agent specialty codes in the Counter Intelligence or Special Investigations field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

Certified to administer post-conviction sex offender polygraph examinations
Five (5) years of experience administering polygraph examinations

Responsibilities

Administers computerized lifestyle pre-employment, criminal, and internal investigation polygraph examinations for the Maryland State Police and allied agencies in accordance with American Polygraph Association and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
Conducts post-conviction polygraph examinations on sexual offenders who are on parole or probation under the supervision of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Reviews criminal investigation files and reports to determine whether investigative information in criminal cases meets the standard for administering a polygraph examination. Provides investigative guidance to investigators.
Performs polygraph pre-test interviews during which the examinee is provided an explanation of the anatomy and physiology aspects of polygraph testing relating to the autonomic nervous system, the physiology of lying, psychological aspects of polygraph testing, and explanation of pneumograph, electrodermal, and cardiovascular components that will be attached to the examinee during testing.
Properly attaches polygraph components on an examinee's body so that data collected during the examination can be analyzed appropriately and an opinion rendered.
Formulates and reviews appropriate polygraph test questions with the examinee, including relevant, comparison, symptomatic, and irrelevant questions.
Collects polygraph charts during the in-test phase of the examination.
Uses standardized polygraph test techniques, procedures, and question formats which have achieved a scientific database sufficient to support and demonstrate validity and reliability and have been evaluated according to published methods for that particular procedure and provides for numerical scoring and quantification of the chart data and have not been modified without the support of published validity and reliability studies for that particular modification.
Interprets, analyzes, and evaluates polygraph charts.
Renders a diagnostic opinion as to the veracity of the subject tested
Conducts posttest interviews and interrogations.
Prepares detailed reports with test result findings for discovery/prosecution in court proceedings.
Maintains a complete log and file of all persons examined.
Testifies in court and administrative hearings as an expert witness.
Performs maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and calibrations of computerized polygraph instruments.
Trains new polygraph examiners during minimum eight-week intradepartmental internship.
Provides oral instructional presentations relating to polygraph as requested to academy and in service training classes.
Adheres to the code of ethics and standards of practice established by the American Polygraph Association and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Attends continuing education courses in the field of polygraph.
Evaluates processes and makes suggestions to decrease turnaround time and improve operations within the Polygraph Unit.
Prepares weekly and monthly polygraph related statistical summaries and reports.
Consults Department Legal Counsel Unit on issues relating to polygraph.
Consults Department Human Resources Division on issues related to pre-employment applicant processing.
Provides polygraph advice and information to Department Command Staff and administrators.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Department personnel, allied agency personnel, and prosecutor office personnel.
Effectively communicates with defense counsel during criminal and internal polygraph examinations.
Effectively communicates with a diverse group of people from ages 12 and up during polygraph examinations.
Conducts polygraph examinations at the request of the Governor's Office and Maryland Attorney General's Office in matters relating to clemency hearings.
Ensures appropriate liability release forms are explained and signed by appropriate individuals during adult and juvenile polygraph examinations.
Performs other related duties as assigned by the Commanding Officer.