Dr' Avital Ginton's academic teaching experience commenced in 1971 as a junior faculty in the Psychology Department of Tel-Aviv University, covering as Instructor and Lecturer a wide rangeof topics in Psychology and Psychophysiology. Since 1978 he has been focused on issues relevant to Investigative Psychology, and in particular Psycho-physiological Detection of Deception by Polygraph techniques. For almost two decades, until the mid 1990s, he headed all the Investigative Psychology activities in the Israel National Police, including its Polygraph School. His polygraph instruction activities went on after retirement from the police in 1999, when he became involved locally and internationally in lots of private polygraph training of individual examiners and law enforcement or governmental trainees. In 2007 he has established with a colleague an international school for credibility assessment, the Horowitz-Ginton Credibility Assessment Academy, and officiated as its Director and Chief Instructor. The polygraph school of the academy was accredited by the Americam Polygraph Association. The school functioned till 2013, when the unfortunate event of Mr Horowitz loss occured. The AV-GN training programs are a contiuation of that school.  

AV-GN, offers a veriaty of basic and advanced polygraph training programs as follows: 

 
Polygraph Training Programs

 
Objectives

The objective of our Polygraph Training Programs, is to educate persons as individuals or groups both from the private and the public sectors in the field of Pychophysiological Detection of Deception, and train them to become intelligible professional polygraph examiners who understand the polygraph theory, methods and techniques at the level of polygraph expert and not just polygraph technician. Our instruction conveys up-to-date scientific knowledge and emphasizes a high standard of Ethics. This is done through Basic, Supplementary, Advanced and Refreshment courses,which are conducted by highly experienced professional instructors.

 
International Classes
We offer upon request courses conducted outside Israel should the necessary criteria be met.

 

 Basic polygraph-training conventional course

General description
The basic polygraph-training conventional course of 10 weeks consisted of at least eight consecutive weeks in residence. Classes are generally held from 8:30 to 17:00 5 days a week, to include between 320 to 360 academic class hours, During the 8 weeks the student is provided by all the information needed to become an effective polygraph examiner. An equivalent of another 2 weeks is reached by several means, as specified per case, in accordance with APA demands.  The student receives an extensive opportunity for actual "hands on" practice with the polygraph instrument, in polygraph interviewing, and in practical examinations of several types. Emphasis is on fundamental skills, applicable to various setting. The Course Outline gives a breakdown of the actual class structure.

Basic Course Outline
The polygraph examiner program curriculum subjects are as follows:
(In Red number of hours for the Condensed Course - see below)

1.  The History and Development of Scientific Detection of Deception (8/6 hours) -
     Psycho-physiological Detection of deception history from the ancient times to modern era.
2.  Psychological and Physiological Issues and PDD (polygraph) (44/12 hours) -
     Basic psychological, physiological, and psycho-physiological issues forming the foundation of the      science of forensic psychophysiology.
3.  Instrumentation (20/20 hours) -                                                              

     Understanding the mechanics and functioning of the Analog and Digital Polygraph Instruments.          Basic procedures for instrument Activation, Operation, Calibration, Trouble shooting, and Chart        Marking.
4.  PDD (Polygraph) Techniques – Core tests (26/26 hours) -
     Basic Rational and format of various Polygraph Techniques -  CQT (MGQT, ZONE, IPMT) Including      PL and DL comparison questions ; RIR; GKT (POT; CIT); Exploratory (Searching POT; Screening)
5.  Special Types of Sub-Tests (9/6 hours) -       Stim test, Yes test, SAT, RIR/CIR etc.
6.  Special types of Examinations (10/6 hours) - Testing alleged victims; Confirmation test;                    Paired testing; Re-exams; Using an Interpreter etc.
7.  Dynamics throughout the examination  (4/4 hours).         
8.  Test Question Formulation (20/20 hours) -  Training in semantics and test question formulation.
9.  Chart Analysis (40/35 hours) -     Skill development in chart analysis. Global Procedures,                    Numerical Scoring Procedures etc.
10. Acquaintance with Automatic Algorithms of Chart Analysis  (4 hours).                                          11. Pre- test interviewing (20/20 hours) -                                                                                                     Principles and development of pre-test interview in various types of examinations                12. Post-Test Interviewing Procedures (4/4 hours).
13. Principles and development of post-test interview methods (2 hours).
14. Various Usages of Polygraph Exams (2/2 hours) -                                                                                   Presenting a variety of Polygraph common usages and the importance of using differential                 approaches to them. 
15. Development of Student PDD (Polygraph) Skills (23/15 hours) - 
      Development of the student’s proficiency in chart work.
16. Countermeasures and Examiner Precautions (4/4 hours).
17. Necessary Conditions for running a Polygraph Exam (2/2 hours) -                                                           Physical, Health, Psychological and Environmental conditions needed for running a proper                 Polygraph Exam, including special steps to be taken in preparing an examinee for a test.
18. Realistic Scenario-Based Polygraph Examinations (84/64) -                                                                consisting of 21/16 hours of actual conducting whole polygraph examinations plus 63/48 hours         of active observations in small groups (Getting all the information about the case,                             preparing  questions, observing  others conducting the tests, actual charts analysis and taking           part in feedback sessions at the end of each exam.
19. Ethics (4/4 hours)- Ethical dilemmas and obligations that the examiner is facing.
20. Legal Issues and PDD (Polygraph) (4/4 hours) - Basic legal matters pertinent to the practice of              polygraph; regulations applicable; admissibility issues, courtroom testimony, and others.
21. Scientific Validity and Reliability Studies (6/4 hours).
22. Advanced Reading - Out of class assignments with written reports.
23. Research Project -   Special out of class assignment with final report.
24. Examinations and performance evaluations (20/14 hours) -
     Weekly, formal, written and oral examinations are given along with a comprehensive final                examination and performance evaluations.

School Director Discretion – Moderate changes in Subject matters or number of hours per subject, are possible at the discretion of school director..

 

Note that this does not include training for Post Convicted Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT).  According to the American Polygraph Association, PCSOT training needs a specific course of at least 40 hours given to polygraph examiners after graduating the basic training course.

 

Basic polygraph-training condensed course

General description
The basic polygraph-training condensed course of 5 weeks in residence. Classes are generally held from 8:30 to 19:00 5 days a week, to include approximately 275 academic class hours, During the 5 weeks the student is provided with all the information needed to become an effective polygraph examiner. An equivalent of another 2 weeks is reached by several means, as specified per case, in accordance with APA demands.  The student receives an extensive opportunity for actual "hands on" practice with the polygraph instrument, in polygraph interviewing, and in practical examinations of several types. Emphasis is on fundamental skills, applicable to various setting. The Condensed Course covers the same topics taught in the Conventional Course in a somewhat different emphasis.  Outline gives a breakdown of the actual class structure. The condensed course is suitable in particular to students with previous relevant basic knowledge in Psychology and Physiology

 


Admission Requirements to both type of course

At least 23 years of age
Good moral character as verified through a pre-enrollment polygraph examination or otherwise. 
Prior Education – One of the following:
* A bachelor’s degree from an accredited College or University
* Completion of a Diploma Studies following High School, consisted of at least a total of 200 hours,     and three years of government or law enforcement investigative experience.
* Presenting satisfactory proof of having completed at least three semesters (about 45 semester       hours or a total of 550 hours) at an accredited college or university and three years of government   or law enforcement investigative experience.
* Presenting satisfactory proof of five years of law enforcement or governmental investigative             experience, which includes professional courses, and satisfactory proof of compliance with               admission requirements to an accredited College or University,

 
Graduation Requirements
To be recognized as a graduate of The Basic Polygraph Training Course of AV-GN, Dr' Avital Ginton, the student must satisfactorily complete all requirements of the course. Students must achieve a grade of at least 75% on each subject matter examinations, a midterm examination, and a comprehensive final examination. Previous credits will be evaluated for possible consideration toward course material presented. However, this does not excuse the student from attaining the minimum required hours of instruction. Upon graduation a diploma will be issued.

Attendance
Absence from any scheduled class without prior permission can be caused for termination. However, a total of three absences will be excusable if the student has a reasonable explanation. After a total of three absences, without approval, the student may be dismissed. He may reenroll in the next scheduled class. Lost time must be made up and must be within one week of the class missed.


Conduct
While enrolled, the institute expects its students to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Acts of dishonestly and questionable moral turpitude may be grounds for dismissal. The final decision will be made by the director and faculty review board. Students will be notified in writing regarding any action taken by this review board.

 
Facilities & Equipment
The institute operates a fully equipped classroom, with interview practice facilities, and excellent, well maintained polygraph equipment. The classroom is spacious and includes state-of-the-art teaching aids.


Library

The Academy has a rich functional library, in the general field of Credibility Assessment and in Psychophysiological Detection of Deception in particular. That includes up to date readings as well as classic books, journals, published papers and manuscripts. The library also contains reading material in supplementary areas, i.e. Psychology, Physiology, Pharmacology and Law.


Faculty
Any school is only as good as its faculty. All Institute instructors in polygraph techniques are practicing polygraph professionals with outstanding credentials. Instruction in law, physiology, and psychology is presented by persons professionally qualified in these fields. The Institute faculty consists of the following:

Academy Director and Chief Instructor

Dr. Avital Ginton

Dr. Avital Ginton is a Psychologist (Ph.D.) and a retired Commander (Colonel) of Israel Police, in which he served for 22 years (1977-1999).  In the last five years of his service he headed the Psychology & Organizational Counseling Division and before that the Scientific Interrogation and Behavior Section of the Criminal Identification and Forensic Science Division.  In that capacity he headed the Israel Police Polygraph Field Labs, School and Research unit (1977-1994).  His expertise includes in addition to  Psychophysiological Detection of Deception also other psychological applications for criminal investigation. Since his retirement he owns a private firm for Consultation, Research and Applications in these matters. 

Dr. Ginton who is a full APA member since 2002, also officiated between 1995-2001 as the president of the Israeli Polygraph Examiners Association (IPEA) of which he was among the six founders in 1986-7.


Dr. Ginton has taught for many years (1971-1986) in the departments of Psychology and Criminology at Tel-Aviv and Bar-Ilan, Israeli universities, respectively.  From the former, he also received his B.A. and Ph.D. His formal education was mainly as a Physiological Psychologist. On 2004 he has resumed his teaching in Tel-Aviv University as an Adjunct Professor at the Law Faculty until 2008 and since then as a Guest Lecturer on a rutine base.

Dr. Ginton also holds a Master degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government (1993).

During the years he was involved in a lot of research activity and has published alone and with others several articles both in Hebrew and English and gave many lectures in professional as well as general forums.

 
Instructor

Arie Hyatt,

Mr. Arie Hyatt, B.A. in Humanities, M.A. in Social Sciences and a private lawyer (L.L.B.), is also a Polygraph Examiner and a retired Police Superintendent of Israel Police, in which he served in Intelligence and investigation roles for about 30 years. That included 12 years in the Israeli Police Polygraph Labs and School. He is a member of the Israeli Polygraph Examiners Association (IPEA)   and The Israeli Bar Association (IBA).

 

Instructor

Eyal Yaffe,

Mr. Eyal Yaffe - A graduate of the Hebrew university in Jerusalem in philosophy and politics (B.A.) , a  Polygraph Examiner and a veteran of the Israeli General Defense Service, in which he served along 25 years as a special agent, expert in intelligence and investigation. A member of the Israeli Polygraph Examiners Association (IPEA) as well as the American Polygraph Association.



Tuition,  and Financial Arrangements
Fees are between $5,000-$10,000 depending on the total number of students. The tuition includes all instruction, use of all necessary polygraph equipment and tools, all classroom handouts, miscellaneous supplies, full use of the Institute library facilities, and consultation Faculty at any time. The Academy reserves the right to provide individual and group discounts on a case-by-case or contractual basis.

Living expenses and transportation cost are not included.
Unless special arrangement has been agreed, tuition fees must be paid in full prior to beginning the class for which enrolled. In case the payment is done with credit card, an arrangement of a few instalments can be reached. 

Refund policy - Regretting the enrolment up to 2 weeks before the starting date, all money less the enrolment fee, will be returned. Withdrawal during the last 2 weeks before the starting day only 70% will be returned.  In case of a student's withdrawal or dismissal, for any reason after the beginning of the course the unused portion of this 70% will be prorated and returned.

 

General Enrollment Regulation
Students will be allowed to enroll at any time, up to the actual commencement of the scheduled class. All enrollments will be on a "space permitting" basis: The class size may be limited for maximum benefit of instruction to each student.



Satellite Courses
A cost savings can be realized by conducting  the  training at your agency or department. Inquire about co-sponsoring a Polygraph training course.

 
Part time Schedule
There is an option for a part-time schedule (evenings and weekends) that will last for twelve to fifteen weeks, if requested by a minimum number of people.

 Advanced and Refreshment Training

  Refresher and Advanced training are offered periodically on a veraity of topics, including tailor-       made courses upon request.  

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