Tech Company Offers Law Enforcement and Gov’t Agencies a Safe Lie Detector During COVID-19 Pandemic
Due to fears of spreading the novel Coronavirus, polygraph examinations worldwide have come to a virtual standstill. EyeDetect, an automated lie detector test, allows the test administrator to maintain safe social distancing while screening job candidates.
While polygraphs have all but ceased, EyeDetect can be used to maintain safe social distances while screening job candidates.
LEHI, Utah – April 2, 2020 – Of the estimated 2.5 million polygraph lie detector examinations conducted annually by U.S. federal, state and local entities, most are on hold because of the COVID-19 social-distancing guideline of six feet.
Two sheriff’s offices in Florida, Alachua and Escambia County, announced they will not be administering polygraphs due to the risks presented by COVID-19. Around 75% of U.S. urban sheriff’s and police departments use polygraphs for pre-employment testing.
Converus, a Utah-based tech company, says it has a safe lie detector alternative to the polygraph.
“Law enforcement and government agencies may need to resume hiring before this pandemic is over,” said Converus President and CEO Todd Mickelsen. “EyeDetect is an automated true/false lie detection test that’s social distancing compliant.”
Mickelsen says EyeDetect accurately detects deception in 15-30 minutes by analyzing involuntary eye behavior, including pupil dilation, blink rate and other eye movements. It uses an eye tracking camera to take approximately 60 measurements per second of each eye.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is one of dozens of U.S. law enforcement agencies currently using EyeDetect.
“You can easily maintain a safe social distance with EyeDetect,” said Lt. Richard Gere of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. “You really can’t do that with polygraph.”
To comply with Washington state’s current stay-at-home order, Gere says he stopped EyeDetect testing of job applicants on March 25.
The only equipment touched by an examinee during the automated EyeDetect test is the computer mouse, which makes it easy to clean between tests.
Another concern with polygraph tests, according to Mickelsen, is cleaning the equipment after each lie detection test.
“The only EyeDetect equipment touched by examinees is the computer mouse, which is easy to clean,” said Mickelsen. “During a polygraph, examinees are in contact with two corrugated tubes, finger sensors, blood pressure cuff, and motion sensor mat. It’s challenging to adequately clean those between exams.”
Besides the social-distancing and cleaning advantages EyeDetect offers, Gere says there’s also a savings in cost and time.
“We use EyeDetect at the beginning of the hiring process,” said Gere. “Identifying unqualified candidates early eliminates about 40 hours of background checks and polygraphs, which saves us about $2,500 per applicant.”
Mickelsen says EyeDetect can also help safely test parolees and sex offenders.
Since 2014, EyeDetect has been used by more than 500 customers in 43 countries. 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
