Computer Voice Stress Analyzer examinations can now be required as part of post-release supervision for sex offenders, according to a federal court ruling.
The National Association of Computer Voice Stress Analysts previously reported that legal authorities have issued a ruling stating that the Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) methodology is similar to polygraph tests. The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has already approved polygraph tests for keeping a check on individuals who are under post-release supervision.
CVSA is currently available to nearly 3,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, and the Federal Probation Offices use CVSA across the nation to monitor sex offenders.
The technology is predominantly manufactured by the National Institute for Truth Verification (NITV) Federal Services, which is based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Lourdes Porceque, chief operating officer of NITV Federal Services, recently spoke with The Dallas Express about CVSA.
Porceque said the tool is used in many different spheres, including investigations, pre-employment screenings, interrogations, and covertly with the military. NITV takes the success of CVSA and its distribution seriously, and the company does not want the tool to get into the wrong hands.
“We only sell directly to law enforcement, government agencies, and the military,” said Porceque.
Porceque explained that CVSA works with the central nervous system by tracking the physiological changes within the frequency of the air that passes over the voice box while someone is speaking. This advanced technology can decipher the difference between someone being stressed with anxiety and being stressed because they are not telling the truth.
“The ease of use, accuracy, and affordability make CVSA a go-to resource for trained users to add to their toolbox,” added Porceque.
CVSA “is not an expensive tool, costing $11,000 to start. This includes a warranty, training for two detectives, and free software updates,” explained Porceque. Continuing education is also provided for trained users of CVSA and is available every two years during a three-day course.
“As an investigative and decision support tool, CVSA has proven itself to be invaluable to law enforcement,” said Dr. Chad Jeansonne, legislative affairs director of the National Association of Computer Voice Stress Analysts, per a press release.
A Department of Defense survey of U.S. law enforcement users of CVSA shows that the tool has a less than 0.5% error rate, with two independent peer-reviewed studies finding CVSA to be 95-98% accurate.
Apparently, CVSA has “quietly replaced the polygraph” and is now “the most widely used truth verification device in law enforcement,” according to another press release.
The CVSA system has purportedly proven itself to be highly accurate, cost-effective, and user-friendly. It is commonly used in criminal and background investigations, and law enforcement officials have praised its ability to analyze archived recorded interviews to aid in solving cold cases.
CVSA can be used “virtually anywhere, and the patented scoring algorithm automatically indicates deceptive responses … unlike the polygraph, drugs, and medical issues are not known to affect the results of the CVSA.”