Welcome to the Official Website of the British Polygraph Society
The British Polygraph Society (BPS) provides both members and the public with expert, up-to-date information on polygraph science and its professional application. Our services are open to anyone with an interest in the field, whether for personal or professional purposes.
Upholding Excellence and Integrity
Dedicated to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice, the BPS sets rigorous requirements for membership. With integrity comes respect, and our Society has earned a strong reputation within the UK polygraph community for professionalism, credibility, and trustworthiness.
Membership Standards
All BPS members are bound by our strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Adherence to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct is non-negotiable. Members receive ongoing support to meet these obligations and remain committed to the pursuit of truth in all aspects of their work.
We actively encourage continuous development through training, research, study, and cooperation with colleagues in the field. Members are required to engage in ongoing education, including internships and annual reviews, to maintain their standing within the Society.
BPS examiners undergo hundreds of hours of coursework at accredited training institutions and continue their education throughout their careers. This ensures that the public interest in the UK is protected through reliable, accurate, and ethical polygraph testing.
Mission and Objectives
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Promote Best Practices: Set and maintain the highest standards of ethical and professional polygraph testing in the UK.
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Support Member Development: Provide training, resources, and professional growth opportunities to keep members current with scientific advancements.
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Enhance Public Trust: Safeguard the public by ensuring examinations are conducted with transparency, accuracy, and integrity.
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Encourage Collaboration: Work with law enforcement, legal professionals, and other stakeholders to promote the responsible use of polygraph testing.
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Advance Research: Contribute to scientific progress in psychophysiological detection of deception, improving methods and techniques.
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Global Engagement: Partner with international associations to share knowledge, align standards, and benefit from global expertise.
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Ensure Accountability: Regularly review and update our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to reflect the evolving needs of society and the profession.
At the British Polygraph Society, our mission is to advance the science of truth while upholding the trust of both the public and our members. Explore our website to learn more about our standards, research, and how we support the responsible practice of polygraph testing.

The British Polygraph Society (BPS) is an independent professional association in the UK, committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in polygraph science and testing.
Our Society brings together accredited polygraph examiners, specialists in deception detection, and individuals with a professional interest in truth verification.
Every member is dedicated to conducting accurate and reliable polygraph examinations while maintaining strict ethical, professional, and moral standards. As the only UK association providing approved advanced training, the BPS ensures its members remain leaders at the forefront of the industry.

UK Polygraph Association NEWS
Verify Your Examiner’s Credentials
Before booking a polygraph test, it is essential to verify the credentials of the examiner. Unfortunately, some individuals who have been expelled from the British Polygraph Association (BPA) for failing to meet professional standards now operate independently in the private market, often misleading clients about their qualifications.
As an independent and professional association, the British Polygraph Society (BPS) is committed to maintaining the highest ethical, scientific, and professional standards in polygraph testing. All of our members are rigorously trained, fully accredited, and dedicated to ethical practice.
To protect yourself and ensure reliable results, always:
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Confirm that your examiner is a qualified, accredited professional.
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Request proof of certification before scheduling a test.
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Verify their membership with a recognized polygraph association.
Choosing an unverified examiner risks undermining the accuracy, validity, and integrity of your examination. By selecting a BPS-recognized examiner, you can be confident that your case will be handled with professionalism, discretion, and scientific accuracy.

Trademark Notice
Please note that the BPS logo is a registered trademark and may only be used by accredited members of the British Polygraph Society (BPS).
Any unauthorized use of our logo by non-members is strictly prohibited and constitutes a violation of trademark law.
We respectfully request that all individuals and organizations refrain from using the BPS logo without prior written permission. Accredited members are granted the right to display the logo as a mark of professional recognition and adherence to our ethical and professional standards.
Polygraph Terminology Reference
BPS Psychophysiological Detection of Deception Terminology Reference
Last Update: 2025
A
- a posteriori
- a priori
- acetylcholine (ACh)
- acquaintance test
- activity monitor
- Adrenalin
- adrenergic
- afferent nerves
- Air Force Modified General Question Test (AFMGQT)
- alarm reaction
- algorithm
- all-or-none law
- allostasis
- alpha
- American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP)
- American Polygraph Association (APA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- anacrotic limb
- analog study
- analysis spot
- anecdote
- anti-countermeasures
- anticlimax dampening concept
- aorta
- apnea
- Army Modified General Question Test (Army MGQT)
- arousal
- arousal theory
- arrhythmia
- Arther technique
- attention
- autogenic training
- automatic mode
- autonomic nervous system (ANS)
- AVATAR
- Axciton
- axon
B
- Backster, Cleve
- base rate
- baseline arousal
- behavior countermeasures
- behavioral analysis
- Benussi, Vittorio
- Berkeley psychograph (or Lee Polygraph)
- beta blocker
- bias
- biofeedback
- biphasic response
- bizone
- black zone
- blind chart analysis
- blind stimulation test
- blocking
- blood pressure
- blood volume (BV)
- bogus pipeline (BPL)
- bootstrapping
- brachial artery
- bradycardia
- bradypnea
- brain stem
- breakdown (or breakout) test
- breathing
- Brilograf
- British One-issue Screening Test (BOST)
C
- Calibration Verification of Sensitivity Test (CVOS)
- card test
- cardio-pneumo-psychograph
- cardioactivity monitor (CAM)
- cardiograph
- cardiosphygmograph
- cardiotachometer
- catacrotic limb
- category bar
- central nervous system (CNS)
- chart
- chart identification
- chart markings
- chemical countermeasures
- Cheyne-Stokes respiration
- chi-square test (2)
- cholinergic
- classical conditioning
- clearing chart
- clinical approach
- closed-eyes technique
- community safety examinations
- comparative response question
- comparison question
- Comparison Question Technique (CQT)
- comparison/control question validation test
- Computer Assisted Polygraph System CAPS
- Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA)
- Concealed Information Test (CIT)
- conditional probabilities
- conditioned response theory
- conductance
- confabulation
- confession criterion
- confirmatory testing
- conflict theory
- conspecnificance
- constant current method
- constant voltage method
- containment approach
- control group
- control question
- control test
- correlation
- cortisol
- counter-countermeasures
- Counterintelligence-Scope Polygraph (CSP)
- countermeasures
- CPS
- craniosacral division of autonomic nervous system
- credibility assessment
- critical item
- current exclusive comparison question
D
- Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- deception
- deception exemplar
- Deception Indicated (DI)
- deception test
- decision rule
- defensible dozen
- degrees of freedom (df)
- delayed answer test (DAT)
- dendrite
- Department of Defense Polygraph Institute (DoDPI)
- dependent variable
- devil’s finger
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition
- diastole
- diastolic blood pressure
- dichotomization theory
- dichotomous variables
- dicrotic notch
- differential responsivity (reactivity)
- differential salience
- Directed Lie Screening Test (DLST)
- directed-lie comparison (DLC) question
- disclosure examination
- discontinuous blood pressure method
- discovery test
- discriminant analysis
- disguised comparison question
- dissociation
- domestic violence offender testing
- double verification test
- dyspnea
E
- Easterbrook (1959).
- eccrine glands
- efferent nerves
- Either-Or Rule
- electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
- electrodermal activity (EDA)
- electrodermal response (EDR)
- electroencephalogram (EEG)
- electromyograph (EMG)
- electrooculograph (EOG)
- embarrassing personal question (EPQ)
- emotional standard
- empirical
- Empirical Scoring System
- Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA)
- endosomatic
- epinephrine
- error-related negativity (ERN)
- eupnea
- event marker
- event-related potentials (ERPs)
- evidence-connecting question
- evidence-connecting question
- evidentiary examination
- evoked cortical potentials
- ex parte phenomenon
- examination
- exclusive (exclusionary) comparison question
- exculpatory examination
- exosomatic
- experimental group
- exploratory test
- extrapolygraphic
- extrasystolic beat (ESB)
F
- F3
- false key
- false negative
- false positive
- fear of detection model
- fear of error
- feature
- field research
- fight, flight, freeze
- finger of death
- finger pulse amplitude (FPA)
- Fleiss’ kappa
- foil
- forensic psychophysiological detection of deception examination
- forensic psychophysiologist
- forensic psychophysiology
- format
- frame of reference
- functional Magnetic Resonance Image (fMRI)
- Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
G
H
I
- imagery
- impedance cardiogram (ICG)
- Inbau, Fred
- incisura
- inclusive (inclusionary, non-exclusionary) comparison question
- Incomplete
- Inconclusive
- indefinite
- independent variable
- information gain
- innervation
- inside track
- inside-issue comparison question
- inside-issue relevant question
- inspiration (inhalation) / expiration (exhalation) ratio (I/E ratio)
- instant offense examination
- Integrated Zone Comparison Technique
- integument
- intent question
- inter-chart stimulation
- interbeat interval (IBI)
- Introduction
- introductory test
- investigative examination
- irrelevant question
K
L
- labile
- laboratory research
- Lafayette Instrument Company
- Larson, John
- latency
- Law Enforcement Pre-Employment Test (LEPET)
- law of initial values (LIV)
- law of intensity
- Layered Voice Analysis (LVA)
- lens model
- lie detector
- likelihood ratio
- Limestone Technologies
- Lombroso, Cesare
- Luria, Aleksandr
- Lykken scoring
- Lykken, David T.
M
- maintenance examination
- manual mode
- Marey, Étienne-Jules
- Marston, William
- mean blood pressure
- medulla oblongata
- mental countermeasure
- microtremor
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
- mixed issue test
- Mixed Question Test
- model policy
- Modified Relevant Irrelevant (MRI) technique
- monitoring examination
- Monte Carlo method
- Mosso, Angelo
- motor nerves
- movement sensor
- multiple-facet test
- multiple-issue examination
- Münsterberg , Hugo
N
- National Center for Credibility Assessment
- nervous system
- neuron
- neurotransmitter
- neutral question
- No Deception Indicated (NDI)
- No Opinion
- No Significant Physiological Responses (NSPR or NSR)
- non-current exclusive comparison question
- non-exclusive (inclusive or inclusionary) comparison question
- non-specific responses
- noradrenaline
- norm
- numerical analysis
- numerical chart analysis
O
P
- P300
- padding
- pain countermeasure
- paradigm
- parameter
- parasympathetic nervous system
- parasympathomimetic
- Pathometer
- Peak of Tension (POT)
- Pearson product-moment correlation
- peripheral nervous system
- pertinent question
- phalanx
- pharmacological countermeasures
- phasic response
- photoplethysmograph (PPG)
- photopolygraph
- physical countermeasures
- Pinocchio response
- place bar
- placebo
- plethysmograph
- pneumograph
- polygram
- polygraph
- polygraph surveillance
- positive comparison question
- positive control pair
- Positive Control Technique
- post hoc
- Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT)
- posttest
- pre-ejection period (PEP)
- Preliminary Credibility Assessment Screening System (PCASS)
- premature ventricle contraction (PVC)
- pretest interview
- primary track
- probability
- probable-lie comparison question (PLC)
- Probing Peak of Tension
- pseudorelevant question
- Psychogalvanic Reflex (PGR)
- psychograph
- psychological set
- Psychological Stress Evaluator (PSE)
- psychopath
- psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD)
- pulse pressure
- pulse transit time (PTT)
- punishment theory
- pupillary response
- Purposeful Non-Cooperation (PNC)
R
- R-wave peak to carotid incisura (RWPCI)
- radial artery
- random assignment
- random selection
- rank order analysis
- rationalization
- reaction tracing
- Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC)
- recognition test
- recovery half-time
- recovery time
- red zone
- regression analysis
- Reid, John
- Relevant Issue Gravity (RIG)
- relevant question
- Relevant/Irrelevant (RI) Technique
- reliability
- relief tracing
- resistance
- respiration line length (RLL)
- respiratory amplitude
- respiratory blood pressure fluctuations (RBPF)
- respiratory cycle time (RCT)
- respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)
- response onset window
- rise time
S
- S-K-Y
- sacrifice relevant question
- salience
- scientific cradle
- screening examination
- Searching (or Probing) Peak of Tension (SPOT)
- secondary track
- sensitivity
- sensory nerves
- Senter Rules
- serrated breathing pattern
- sexual history examination
- sexual offender monitoring
- signal detection theory (SDT)
- signal value
- Significant Physiological Responses (SPR or SR)
- silent answer test (SAT)
- Silent Talker
- single-issue examination
- situational comparison question
- skin conductance (SC)
- skin conductance level (SCL)
- skin conductance response (SCR)
- skin potential (SP)
- skin potential level (SPL)
- skin potential response (SPR):
- skin resistance (SR)
- skin resistance level (SRL)
- skin resistance response (SRR)
- smoked drum recording
- smooth muscles
- Spearman Rank Correlation
- specific issue polygraph examination
- specific point countermeasures
- specificity
- sphygmograph
- sphygmomanometer
- spontaneous countermeasures
- spontaneous response
- spot
- spot analysis
- spot responder
- stabile
- staircase respiration
- standard deviation
- statistical significance
- stim marker
- stimulation test
- Stoelting Instruments
- straight-through test (ST)
- strain gauge
- striated muscles
- stroke volume (SV)
- strong relevant question
- subjective lie/truth question
- successive hurdles approach
- Summers, Walter
- super-dampening concept
- suppression
- surreptitious breathing tracing
- sympathetic chain
- sympathetic nervous system
- sympathomimetic
- symptomatic question
- synapse
- systole
- systolic blood pressure
T
- T test
- tachycardia
- tachypnea
- technique
- test
- test data analysis (TDA)
- Test for Espionage and Sabotage (TES).
- thenar eminence
- thermal imaging
- thoraco-lumbar division of autonomic nervous system
- thumb transducer
- time bar
- tonic change
- tonic level
- tonic response
- total chart minutes concept (TCMC)
- tracing average
- tracing distortion
- track
- transducer
- Traube-Hering-Mayer (THM) wave
- tremograph
- true negative
- true positive
- two-stage rules
- type I error
- type II error
U
V
Introduction
The BPS Psychophysiological Detection of Deception Terminology Reference is derived from the American Polygraph Association (APA) Terminology Reference, 4th Edition (2022), authored by Donald Krapohl, Mark Handler, and Michael Lynch. While the APA’s work served as the foundation, this adaptation does not represent the official position of the APA.
Over time, the BPS has revised and expanded the resource to reflect UK standards, practices, and advancements in polygraph science. The result is a reference that promotes clarity, consistency, and professionalism across the field—demonstrating the BPS’s ongoing commitment to excellence in psychophysiological detection of deception.