Dr Kircher embarked in 2020 to research and develop a new technology and testing protocol that combined ocular-motor testing methods and technology with existing polygraph solutions. This was partially done in response to requests from customers around the world where policy or government regulation requires the use of polygraph in deception detection testing.
The original premise was to determine the feasibility of combining the two most accurate lie detectors in the world into one solution—EyeDetect and polygraph.
After a lengthy but successful R&D process, Dr Kircher and his team developed EyeDetect+, the world’s first automated polygraph.
As the research began, Dr Kircher felt compelled find a solution with characteristics that had made EyeDetect appealing:
- Less invasive for the examinee
- Accurate
- Reliable (consistent in obtaining high levels of accuracy
One of the most uncomfortable (invasive) components of a polygraph examination is the blood pressure cuff. It is used to measure and record blood pressure changes to help render a decision on the examinee’s truthfulness. Research shows there is a correlation between blood pressure changes and deception.
The duration of a polygraph exam is affected by the blood pressure cuff used. It must be deflated about every 5 minutes to restore circulation to the examinee’s arm. Otherwise, examinees can become distracted by the pain of the pressure, or tingling of the fingers or, in some cases, broken blood vessels. For this reason, the examiner allows the examinee many rest periods during a polygraph exam to alleviate the discomfort.
Dr Kircher analysed a variety of alternative technologies to eliminate the blood pressure cuff. One such method considered was Pulse Transit Time (PTT). PTT is defined as the time it takes a pulse wave to travel from the heart to the finger. Dr Andrea Webb looked at PTT in a study for her master’s thesis in 2006. In various other studies, PTT was shown to vary inversely with changes in blood pressure (Geddes et al., 1981; Obrist et al., 1978; Obrist et al., 1979).
By eliminating the blood pressure cuff, the EyeDetect+ test includes more questions than a traditional polygraph. More questions produce more measurements of physiological reactions, and the additional measurements improve the reliability and accuracy of the test.
As mentioned, validity (accuracy) and reliability were also an important consideration in developing a new solution. EyeDetect+ and EyeDetect) rely on computer-based decision models and algorithms and, therefore, reliability is 100%. Why? The systematic and computerized application of the same decision rules to analyse testing data will yield reliable (consistent) results. The two factors were important considerations during Dr Kircher’s research and development.
EyeDetect+ (and EyeDetect) tests are almost completely automated. As a result, test validity does not depend on the examiner to properly interpret physiological recordings. Because the test presentation and scoring are computerized, the examinee and examiner cannot influence the test outcome.