New Version of EyeDetect Legally Compliant in All 50 States
The new update, EyeDetect+, features sensors that measure physiological data similar to polygraph, which now allows the world’s only lie detector that detects deception from the eyes to be used in all 50 states where 17 plus the District of Columbia previously only allowed polygraph.
The new EyeDetect+ adds data from polygraph-type channels via a Physio Tracker attached to the examinee’s fingers, which now allows this ocular-based lie detector to be used in the 17 states and the District of Columbia where statutes previously only allowed polygraph.
LEHI, Utah – May 12, 2020 – Rather than the costly alternative of attempting to update laws in multiple jurisdictions, Converus has enhanced EyeDetect to gather specific physiological data required to meet the functional definition of polygraph. By doing so, it’s now compliant with existing, long-standing statutes in 17 states and the District of Columbia where the legal definition of “lie detector” refers to traditional polygraph channels. In other countries, such as Mexico, the federal government has a similar law.
This optional update, called EyeDetect+, uses a device called “Physio Tracker” that gathers the same physiological data captured by a standard polygraph instrument: cardiovascular, respiration and electrodermal activity. EyeDetect test administrators can monitor these data along with ocular motor measurements in real time.
This means EyeDetect, the only credibility assessment technology that accurately detects deception in 15-30 minutes by analyzing involuntary eye behavior, can now be used by law enforcement, corrections facilities, district attorneys and private investigators nationwide. In addition, EyeDetect+ should qualify to be used under the three exceptions to the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) where polygraph — and no other lie detectors — may be used.
After Utah-based Converus released EyeDetect in the U.S. in 2015, the company spent considerable resources in 2016 to change Utah state law to allow EyeDetect to be used. Converus President and CEO Todd Mickelsen decided it wasn’t worth it to repeat that process in other states.
“Some states have laws enacted in the 1970s, long before EyeDetect’s ocular-based method was ever conceived,” said Converus President and CEO Todd Mickelsen. “By adding the optional Physio Tracker to a standard EyeDetect station, it remains an automated test. Plus, it continues to allow for social distancing during the administration of the test.”
The Physio Tracker consists of a photoelectric plethysmograph (PPG) sensor and two cables that attach to the examinee’s fingers. The unit is powered by a USB cable.
By using EyeDetect Manager during an EyeDetect+ test, the test administrator can monitor not only eye behavior but also the same physiological data captured by a standard polygraph instrument: cardiovascular, respiration and electrodermal activity.
“Whether EyeDetect or EyeDetect+ with the Physio Tracker is used, the accuracy is 88-90%,” said Mickelsen. “This means our technology is still one of the world’s most accurate, scientifically validated credibility assessment tools.”
Converus Service Partner Robert Gross, owner of Eugene-based Credibility Screening, welcomes this modification because EyeDetect previously didn’t meet Oregon’s statutory requirements for deception detection equipment. He feels the addition of the Physio Tracker should resolve this issue. Gross is awaiting confirmation of this from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
Over the past few years, Gross says he’s successfully demonstrated the EyeDetect technology to the Oregon House Judiciary Committee, officials from the Oregon Dept. of Corrections, numerous law enforcement agencies, and almost every community corrections manager in the state.
“The impressive speed, accuracy, and affordability of EyeDetect has generated a desire in many of these officials to implement this technology within their own agencies,” said Gross.
In addition to Oregon, states where EyeDetect did not previously meet the functional definition of “lie detector” are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.
EyeDetect+ requires either a v3 or v4 EyeDetect station and can be used with any standard EyeDetect test.
EyeDetect is currently used by more than 500 customers in 43 countries in 40 different languages. For more information about EyeDetect and Converus, visit: converus.com
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About Converus®
Converus provides scientifically validated credibility assessment technologies. EyeDetect® detects deception at 86-90% accuracy in 15-30 minutes by analyzing eye and other behaviors. IdentityDetect® detects falsified identities at 91% accuracy in about 1-3 minutes by analyzing subtle variations in the motor nervous system responses. These technologies help protect countries, corporations and communities from corruption, crime and threats. Converus is headquartered in Lehi, Utah, USA. Visit: www.converus.com
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Converus Press Contact: Jeff Pizzino, APR /+1 480-606-8292
