In 1970, a psychologist named Dr. David Raskin, a researcher at the University of Utah, began
a study of the probable lie comparison question polygraph technique. Raskin and his colleagues
systematically studied and refined the elements of polygraphy by determining what aspects
of the technique could be scientifically proven to increase validity and reliability (Raskin
& Honts 2002). Their efforts culminated in the creation of what is known today as the Utah
approach to the Comparison Question Test (CQT) The Utah-CQT is an empirically consistent
and unified approach to polygraphy. The Utah-CQT, traditionally employed as a single issue
Zone Comparison Test (ZCT), is amenable to other uses as a multi-facet or multiple-issue
(mixed-issue) General Question Technique (GQT) and the related family of Modified General
Question Technique (MGQT) examination formats. The Utah-CQT and the corresponding
Utah Numerical Scoring System (Bell, Raskin, Honts & Kircher, 1999; Handler, 2006) resulted
from over 30 years of scientific research and scientific peer-review. The resulting technique
provides some of the highest rates of criterion accuracy and interrater reliability of any polygraph
examination protocol (Senter, Dollins & Krapohl, 2004; Krapohl, 2006). The authors
discuss the Utah-CQT using the Probable Lie Test (PLT) as well as the lesser known Directed
Lie Test (DLT) and review some of the possible benefits offered by each method