Opinion ID: 2623542
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Maintenance of standards controlling the technique.

Text: {36} Additionally, we examine the existence and maintenance of standards controlling the technique's operation. Daubert, 509 U.S. at 594, 113 S.Ct. 2786. The district court found that [t]here are no set standards [for the administration of the control question polygraph] other than those set out in Rule 11-707, which the court concluded were insufficient. {37} In this state, it is unlawful to practice polygraphy for any remuneration without a license issued by the [regulation and licensing] department in accordance with the Private Investigators and Polygraphers Act. NMSA 1978, § 61-27A-3(E) (1993). To qualify for a license to practice polygraphy, a person must meet the requirements of NMSA 1978, § 61-27A-6(G) (1993), which states: G. The department shall issue a license for polygrapher to a person who files a completed application accompanied by the required fees and who submits satisfactory evidence that the applicant: (1) is at least eighteen years of age; (2) possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent; (3) has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; and (4) has graduated from a polygraph examiners course approved by the department and: (a) has completed a probationary operational competency period and passed an examination of ability to practice polygraphy; or (b) has submitted proof of holding, for a minimum of two years immediately prior to the date of application, a current license to practice polygraphy in another jurisdiction whose standards equal or surpass those of New Mexico. {38} Furthermore, Rule 11-707(B) imposes additional restrictions on who can testify as an expert witness regarding polygraph results. A polygraph expert must have at least five (5) years' experience in administration or interpretation of polygraph examinations or equivalent academic training. Rule 11-707(B)(1). Also, the polygraph expert must have successfully completed at least twenty (20) hours of continuing education in the field of polygraph examinations during the twelve (12) month period immediately prior to the date of the examination. Rule 11-707(B)(3). Between the restrictions governing who can perform polygraph examinations in this state and those governing who can testify regarding polygraph results, sufficient standards are in place controlling the polygraph examiner. {39} Also, Rules 11-707(C) and (E) contain a number of prerequisites to the admission of polygraph results: C. Admissibility of results. Subject to the provisions of these rules, the opinion of a polygraph examiner may in the discretion of the trial judge be admitted as evidence as to the truthfulness of any person called as a witness if the examination was performed by a person who is qualified as an expert polygraph examiner pursuant to the provisions of this rule and if: (1) the polygraph examination was conducted in accordance with the provisions of this rule; (2) the polygraph examination was quantitatively scored in a manner that is generally accepted as reliable by polygraph experts; (3) prior to conducting the polygraph examination the polygraph examiner was informed as to the examinee's background, health, education and other relevant information; (4) at least two (2) relevant questions were asked during the examination; and (5) at least three (3) charts were taken of the examinee. ... E. Recording of tests. The pretest interview and actual testing shall be recorded in full on an audio or video recording device. It has been noted by one commentator that [i]n the treatment of the technical aspects of polygraph examination protocol, [Rule 11-707] goes far beyond the case law or statutes of any other jurisdiction in providing usable standards. James R. McCall, Misconceptions and Reevaluation  Polygraph Admissibility After Rock and Daubert, 1996 U. Ill. L.Rev. 363, 388 (1996). {40} The American Polygraph Association (APA), the leading polygraph professional association, has developed protocol standards for the polygraph similar to those contained in Rule 11-707. See American Polygraph Association, Division III: APA Standards of Practice (Jan. 10, 1999), available at http://www.polygraph.org/standards.htm. Under these standards, prior to examination, the polygraph examiner must make a reasonable effort to determine whether an examinee is fit for polygraph testing by inquiring into the medical and psychological condition of the examinee, as well as any recent drug use by the examinee, APA Standard 3.4.1; the polygraph instruments must be APA approved and have been calibrated, APA Standard 3.5; and a pretest interview must be conducted where the examiner both discusses with the examinee the polygraph process and the issues to be tested and ensures that the examinee recognizes and understands each question, APA Standard 3.8. During the examination, the questions used must be clear and distinct, APA Standard 3.9.3; the questions used must be balanced in terms of length and impact, APA Standard 3.9.4; the examiner must collect a sufficient number of charts, APA Standard 3.9.5; standardized chart markings should be used, APA Standard 3.9.7; and either an audio or audio/video recording of the pretest and in-test phase of the examination must be made, APA Standard 3.9.8. As for scoring the chart, the examiner must use numerical scoring, APA Standard 3.10.1; and the examiner's notes must have sufficient clarity and precision so that another examiner could read them, APA Standard 3.10.2. {41} Based on the foregoing, we conclude sufficient standards are in place governing the control question polygraph technique, so as to allow expert testimony on the subject to be admissible. In order for polygraph expert evidence to be admissible under Rule 11-707, the polygraph examination must be conducted in a particular manner by a qualified examiner. Furthermore, as previously explained, the APA has established even more detailed standards of practice in order to ensure the utmost degree of accuracy in detecting truthfulness or deception with the polygraph.