Polygraph Examination Methodology Fundamentals Training

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development and theoretical foundations of polygraphy.
• Explain the physiological principles and instrumentation used in polygraph examinations.
• Analyse the components of a standard polygraph examination, including pre-test, in-test, and post-test phases.
• Evaluate the validity and reliability of polygraph results and the factors that may affect them.
• Apply ethical and legal considerations in the use of polygraph examinations in South Africa.
• Interpret polygraph charts and formulate conclusions based on established scoring methods.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for security managers, human resources professionals, law enforcement officers, and legal practitioners who require a foundational understanding of polygraph examination methodology. It is also suitable for individuals considering a career as a polygraph examiner.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Practical sessions provide hands-on experience with polygraph instrumentation, data collection, and interpretation. Learners will conduct mock examinations under supervision, practice scoring and report writing, and participate in role-play exercises to refine interview and interrogation skills.

Practical Activities

• Instrument Setup and Calibration — Learners set up the polygraph instrument, attach sensors to a volunteer, and calibrate the system. They practice troubleshooting common issues. (6h)
• Pre-Test Interview Role-Play — Learners conduct mock pre-test interviews with peers acting as examinees. They practice rapport building, question formulation, and obtaining informed consent. (6h)
• Data Collection and Chart Scoring — Learners run full polygraph examinations on volunteers, collect charts, and apply numerical scoring. They practice real-time monitoring and artifact identification. (12h)
• Post-Test Interview and Report Writing — Learners conduct post-test interviews with mock examinees, then write a full examination report including findings and opinion. (6h)
• Mock Examination and Peer Review — Learners complete a full mock examination from start to finish, followed by peer review and instructor feedback. (6h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.