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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Research the origins and use of polygraphy 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252165  Research the origins and use of polygraphy 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Polygraphy 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners who wish to become polygraph examiners and need to know the history of polygraphy and understand the debates around the use of polygraph testing as a means of uncovering deception. It serves as an introduction to polygraphy so that learners understand the regulatory framework that has implications for the use of the polygraph. Learners are required to understand and apply lessons learnt in the past in order to improve the use of the polygraph in future.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Investigating the origins of polygraphy.
  • Discussing the development of polygraphy over time.
  • Investigating the development and related applications of instrumentation for polygraphy.
  • Critically analysing the use of the polygraph.
  • Discussing the multidisciplinary nature of polygraphy and the relationship to other disciplines. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this Unit Standard is the use of the polygraph to detect deception:
  • Polygraph examination refers to the complete polygraph process.
  • Test refers to the administration of specific questionnaires as part of the polygraph process. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Investigate the origins of polygraphy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ways in which different cultural groups historically assessed whether a person is being deceptive or truthful are researched for Southern African and international examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ways of assessing whether a person is being deceptive include, but are not limited to, pre industrial examples such as pre 19th Century in Western Culture and indigenous knowledge systems.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The early beginnings of the application of science in detecting deception are described with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Discuss the development of polygraphy over time. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Scientific developments to enable detection of deception are researched for the late 20th and 21st Centuries. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Individuals who have contributed to the development of polygraphy are identified with reference to the contribution of each to the field. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Development in polygraphy in Southern Africa are researched with reference to the influence of Israel and the United States of America and contextualisation for the Southern African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The role of the polygraph examiner as expert witness is discussed with reference to the weighting accorded to opinion evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The application of the polygraph in the criminal justice system is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Current developments in detection of deception are researched and an opinion is expressed on their potential use. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Investigate the development and related applications of instrumentation for polygraphy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Analogue and digital instrumentation are compared with reference to the advantages and disadvantages of each. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics traditional and contemporary instruments used to detect deception are explained and an indication is given of the limitations and advantages of each and their development over time. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instrumentation includes, but is not limited to, Stoelting, Limestone, Axciton and Lafayette.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Critically analyse the use of the polygraph. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of the polygraph internationally is analysed with reference to the advantages and disadvantages of polygraph examination and the regulatory frameworks that impact on the application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The use of the polygraph in South Africa is analysed with reference to the regulatory environment that mandates the use of the polygraph. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The regulatory environment includes, but is not limited to Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) guidelines relating to disciplinary action, Case Law, Law of Evidence and Law of Contract.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Legislation relevant to polygraph testing in South Africa is identified and indication is given of how each Act impacts on polygraph testing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legislation includes, but is not limited to, South African Constitution, Criminal Procedures Act, National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003, Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Promotion of Access to Information Act and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, Act 25 of 2002.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Ethical considerations relating to polygraph testing are discussed with reference to the consequences of unethical behaviour for the subject, the client, the examiner and the industry. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Discuss the multi-disciplinary nature of polygraphy and the relationship to other disciplines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The links between the natural, behavioural, economic/commercial and legal sciences and polygraphy are explored with reference to how each is applied in polygraphy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of knowing one's own scope of practice is discussed with reference to the consequences of working outside the mandate of a polygrapher. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively in researching the origins of polygraphy and completing assignments timeously. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information researching the origins and use of the polygraph and development in the past century. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively in presenting the findings of his/her research. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation by explaining the consequences of unethical behaviour for the examinee, the client, the examiner and the industry and in discussing the links between polygraphy and the various sciences. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate cultural sensitivity across a range of social contexts in explaining how different cultural groups assessed whether a person was being deceptive and in critically analysing the use of the polygraph and ethical considerations. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59258   National Certificate: Polygraphy  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.