Polygraphs application in Ukraine

The polygraph has been used in Ukraine for more than 25 years. The development of its application began in the same way as in the United States and Russia (first in government departments, then in the civilian sector).

After the war between Russia and Ukraine starts in 2014, the development of the polygraph was significantly activated due to constant and large-scale threats to the country's security.

Over the past years in Ukraine:

1. A national school for teaching the polygraph application has been established (state and commercial training courses for specialists);
2. A domestic polygraph Rubicon has been developed (the quality corresponds to international analogues, tested in the field in state and commercial applications);
3. Public organizations have been created: the All-Ukrainian Association of Polygraph Examiners (more than 600 members) and the Collegium of Polygraph Examiners (about 100 members);
4. An online system StimulTest has been developed, which helps polygraph examiners improve the quality of their work and reduce examination time.
5. A state standard for polygraphs was created, taking into account which instructions for the use of a polygraph were introduced in most government departments, as well as in the judicial system of Ukraine (conducting forensic psychological examinations).

Application conditions

To conduct research using a polygraph in Ukraine, the following is required:

1. The polygraph examiner must have a document on the qualification of the state sample;
2. The polygraph must meet the requirements of the state standard;
3. Research methods must be reliable (adapted to Ukrainian specifics and approved by the professional communities of Ukraine).

Application specifics

From 2014 to 2021, Ukraine was at war with Russia, which was one of the main reasons for the maximum activation of the use of the polygraph.

Applications from 2014 till 2021

Starting from February 2022, the war with Russia turned into a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which mobilized the work of all polygraph examiners to fight the aggressor in order to ensure state security.

Applications in 2022

The trend of changes in the areas of application of the polygraph in Ukraine during the full-scale war with Russia towards state security, which has grown to 75% with the participation of full-time specialists, reservists, as well as polygraph examiners from the civilian sphere on a gratuitous basis, is logical.

The popularity of polygraphs

1. Rubicon polygraphs have been produced in Ukraine since 2014. All polygraphs are purchased by users. Service centers in Odessa and Kyiv. Repair time 1-3 days. Hardware and software are constantly being improved. Average price $3500.
2. Axciton polygraphs are manufactured in the USA. More than 90% of polygraphs were supplied free of charge through US donor programs. 10% - actually bought by users. There is no service center and repair in Ukraine. Hardware and software are improved once every few years. Average price $5000.
3. Lafayette polygraphs are made in the USA. All polygraphs are purchased by users. Service center in Kyiv. Repair time 10-30 days. Hardware and software are improved once a year. Average price $7000.

Polygraph research methods

1. Popularity VPM (voltage peak method) is associated with the need to obtain indicative information in the investigation of crimes (circumstances, conditions, facts, evidence). Often used in a modified Ukrainian school format.
2. MCQ (method of control questions / comparison questions) is traditionally used by those specialists who have polygraphs made in the USA or Canada. It is used as a rule in the classical format of the American school.
3. NPQM (Neutral and Probing Question Method) is usually used as an alternative to the MPQM in order to obtain better results in a shorter study time. It is used in a modified format of the Ukrainian school.

New technologies for polygraph work

1. StimulTest was developed in Ukraine in 2011. As a rule, it is used as a mass tool for the rapid identification of risk groups with large numbers of suspects. Applicable by government and commercial professionals
2. Profiling is mainly used in personnel selection (screening), as well as in investigations. Applicable by government and commercial professionals.
3. EyeDetect is usually used by specialists working on polygraphs manufactured in the USA or Canada with large groups of suspects, as well as to ensure personnel security. It will be used exclusively by commercial specialists due to the vulnerability of maintaining state secrets.

Integration of new technologies when working with a polygraph

1. Brain activity is integrated into the Rubicon polygraph software in the form of joint or separate registration of physiological brain activity using the Canadian-made MuseS neurogadget. The technology is implemented as a client-server application, calculation of results using artificial intelligence (accuracy> 85%). This is a mass toolkit (one specialist can simultaneously work with 10-30 respondents without specialized equipment). The reliability of storing personal data is confirmed by an information security certificate.
2. Artificial intelligence (AI) when working with a polygraph is best used for high-quality calculation of research results. To achieve this goal, it is most effective to host an AI server remotely (client-server principle). The polygraph manufacturer Rubicon has already created such an application. We continue to collect data from experienced polygraph examiners to obtain an accuracy of examination results of over 85%. The reliability of storing personal data will be confirmed by an information security certificate.
3. Visual activity is implemented in EyeDetect technology on the basis of a client-server application. This is the same personal toolkit as a polygraph (one specialist can work with only one respondent at a time with the obligatory use of specialized equipment). The reliability of saving personal data is not confirmed (the manufacturer does not provide the source code for certification).