code of ethics
| Code of Ethics |
Code of Ethics
1 Rights of Examinees
An examinee shall be treated professionally, with respect and dignity.
2. Standards for Rendering Polygraph Decisions
A member shall not render a conclusive decision without sufficient physiological data to support it. Data should be free of excessive movements and distortions. Data must meet the standards generally accepted by the profession.
3. Post-Examination Notification of Results
A member shall afford each examinee a reasonable opportunity to explain physiological reactions to relevant questions in the recordings, with the following exceptions: an evidentiary examination where the court order stipulates there is to be no post-test interview, a legal examination where the examinee is represented by an attorney who instructs that the results only be released to him or her, unusual circumstances of operational necessity.
4. Restrictions on Rendering Opinions
A member shall not provide any report or opinion that would require a medical or psychological degree concerning the mental or medical conditions of the examinee. The examiner may report information concerning the appearance or behavior of the examinee. Polygraph outcome decisions shall be based on the analyzed polygraph data.
5. Restrictions on Examinations
A member shall not conduct a polygraph examination when there is reason to believe the examination is intended to circumvent or defy the law.
6. Conflict of Interest
A member who is a law enforcement polygraph examiner will not conduct polygraph examinations for defense attorneys under the umbrella of privileged communication as it presents a conflict of interest between the law enforcement examiner’s oath of office and the privileged confidentiality of the information provided by the examinee which can only be released to the defense attorney designated by the examinee.
7. Fees
A member shall not solicit or accept fees, gratuities, or gifts that are intended to influence his or her opinion, decision, or report. No member’s fees for polygraph services can be based upon the findings or results of such services, nor shall any member change his or her fee as a direct result of his or her opinion or decision of a polygraph examination.
8. Standards of Reporting
A member shall not knowingly submit, or allow employees to submit, a misleading or false polygraph examination report. Each polygraph report shall be a factual, impartial, and objective account of information developed during the examination, and the examiner's professional opinion based on the analysis of the polygraph data.
9. Advertisements
A member shall not release any false or misleading statements or advertisements relating to the ISOPE or the polygraph profession. No member shall make any false representation as to their category of membership in the ISOPE. All advertisements making reference to ISOPE membership shall also list the category of membership.
10. Release of Non-relevant Information
A member shall not disclose to any person any irrelevant personal information ascertained during a polygraph examination which has no connection to the issue to be resolved, and which may embarrass or tend to embarrass the examinee, except where such disclosure is required by law.
11. Restrictions on Examination Issues
A member shall not ask questions in an examination concerning activities, affiliation, or beliefs on religion, politics, or race unless such matters are relevant to the issue under investigation.
12. ISOPE Oversight Authority
A member who administers or attempts to administer any polygraph examination in violation of the Code of Ethics or the Standards of Practice may be subject to investigation, censure, suspension or expulsion from the Society, as provided by the ISOPE Constitution.
1 Rights of Examinees
An examinee shall be treated professionally, with respect and dignity.
2. Standards for Rendering Polygraph Decisions
A member shall not render a conclusive decision without sufficient physiological data to support it. Data should be free of excessive movements and distortions. Data must meet the standards generally accepted by the profession.
3. Post-Examination Notification of Results
A member shall afford each examinee a reasonable opportunity to explain physiological reactions to relevant questions in the recordings, with the following exceptions: an evidentiary examination where the court order stipulates there is to be no post-test interview, a legal examination where the examinee is represented by an attorney who instructs that the results only be released to him or her, unusual circumstances of operational necessity.
4. Restrictions on Rendering Opinions
A member shall not provide any report or opinion that would require a medical or psychological degree concerning the mental or medical conditions of the examinee. The examiner may report information concerning the appearance or behavior of the examinee. Polygraph outcome decisions shall be based on the analyzed polygraph data.
5. Restrictions on Examinations
A member shall not conduct a polygraph examination when there is reason to believe the examination is intended to circumvent or defy the law.
6. Conflict of Interest
A member who is a law enforcement polygraph examiner will not conduct polygraph examinations for defense attorneys under the umbrella of privileged communication as it presents a conflict of interest between the law enforcement examiner’s oath of office and the privileged confidentiality of the information provided by the examinee which can only be released to the defense attorney designated by the examinee.
7. Fees
A member shall not solicit or accept fees, gratuities, or gifts that are intended to influence his or her opinion, decision, or report. No member’s fees for polygraph services can be based upon the findings or results of such services, nor shall any member change his or her fee as a direct result of his or her opinion or decision of a polygraph examination.
8. Standards of Reporting
A member shall not knowingly submit, or allow employees to submit, a misleading or false polygraph examination report. Each polygraph report shall be a factual, impartial, and objective account of information developed during the examination, and the examiner's professional opinion based on the analysis of the polygraph data.
9. Advertisements
A member shall not release any false or misleading statements or advertisements relating to the ISOPE or the polygraph profession. No member shall make any false representation as to their category of membership in the ISOPE. All advertisements making reference to ISOPE membership shall also list the category of membership.
10. Release of Non-relevant Information
A member shall not disclose to any person any irrelevant personal information ascertained during a polygraph examination which has no connection to the issue to be resolved, and which may embarrass or tend to embarrass the examinee, except where such disclosure is required by law.
11. Restrictions on Examination Issues
A member shall not ask questions in an examination concerning activities, affiliation, or beliefs on religion, politics, or race unless such matters are relevant to the issue under investigation.
12. ISOPE Oversight Authority
A member who administers or attempts to administer any polygraph examination in violation of the Code of Ethics or the Standards of Practice may be subject to investigation, censure, suspension or expulsion from the Society, as provided by the ISOPE Constitution.