Policy Text
COMPUTER VOICE STRESS ANALYZER (CVSA)
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/20/17 STANDARD NO. 095 REVISED: ___
_____________________________________
REPLACES: _____
OBJECTIVE: To establish guidelines governing the use and administration of technical aids
used for the detection of deception in criminal investigations, administrative
investigations, and background investigations for employment applicants.
POLICY: The Homestead Police Department considers the Computer Voice Stress
Analyzer (CVSA) to be a useful investigative tool combined with other evidence
in establishing the innocence or guilt of an accused employee or suspect or to
uncover background deficiencies of applicants. CVSA examination results by
themselves are not sufficient evidence to sustain or void a complaint against an
employee or to refuse employment to an applicant.
SCOPE: All employees of this Department shall be governed by the procedures set forth
below.
I. DEFINITIONS:
A. Administrative Investigation - The inquiry into allegations of misconduct by
employees.
B. Applicant - Any person who has formally applied for employment with the
Homestead Police Department.
Audiotape
C. Analysis - The CVSA examiner’s analysis of the recorded responses
of the taped interview.
D. Background Investigation - The pre-employment investigation of the character,
work history, etc., of an applicant for employment with the Homestead Police
Department.
E. Cold Call - A review by a second CVSA operator (who is not familiar with the
details of the case) who evaluates the results of an examination based strictly on
the assessment of the charts that were generated from the initial examination.
F. Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) - A technical device that detects,
measures and charts the stress in a person's voice modulations from recordings
or live analysis following preformatted questions.
G. Covert CVSA Examination - A live interview by a CVSA examiner with a suspect,
victim or witness. These interviews are recorded live and captured by the CVSA
for analysis, without prior knowledge or consent.
H. Overt Interviews Audio - The CVSA examiner performs audiotape analysis on
voluntary interviews from persons that were obtained by investigators. The
Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) – SOP# 095
interviews are designed to capture a yes or no response to preformatted
questions. The CVSA examiner will then analyze this taped interview.
I. Overt Interviews Live - Interviews by the CVSA examiner with the examinee.
These interviews are conducted with the examinee's prior knowledge and
permission that certain questions will be recorded live and captured by
videotape. An overt examination will cease immediately when requested by the
examinee.
J. Qualified CVSA Examiner - A person who has satisfactorily completed training by
the National Institute for Truth Verification (NITV Federal Services) in the use of
the CVSA. CVSA examiners must recertify or otherwise maintain certification in
accordance with NITV requirements. Only currently certified CVSA examiners will
be authorized to use the CVSA.
K. Structured Interviews - Audiotape interviews designed to capture responses to
preformatted questions that are analyzed by a CVSA examiner.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. The Investigative Services Division (ISD) commander will implement this
directive with respect to criminal investigations.
B. The Professional Compliance Bureau (PCB) supervisor will implement this
directive as it pertains to administrative investigations and applicants for
employment.
C. Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) examiners will be certified by qualified
institutions providing training for the detection of deception.
D. Supervisors will monitor their subordinates' compliance with this directive.
E. Investigators will get approval from their immediate supervisor prior to requesting
CVSA examination in all criminal investigations.