ACADEMY FOR SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIVE TRAINING BASIC POLYGRAPH COURSE

The Academy for Scientific Investigative Training will be returning to Gauteng, South Africa, from 4 August 2025 to 10 October 2025 to present an American Polygraph Association Accredited basic polygraph examiner training course with world renowned Nate Gordon.

The Academy for Scientific Investigative Training is a professional institution offering a comprehensive education in the art of the detection of deception. Studies of theory, history and psychophysiology are pursued through lecture and assigned reading. Theory is quickly put into practice as students receive hands on instruction with a variety of polygraph instrumentation, from the older mechanical instruments, to the most modern electronic and computerized instrumentation available. Students become thoroughly versed in all major techniques, including that of Reid, Backster, Utah, Matte, Marcy, Federal Zone, Peak of Tension, Concealed Information Test, Positive Control and the Academy’s “Integrated Zone of Comparison Technique,” and “Polygraph Verification Technique.”

Several methods of chart interpretation and numerical scoring, including the Academy’s own “Horizontal Scoring System,” are mastered by the students, in a modern classroom facility while they observe ongoing testing and participate in mock examinations. Experience in a variety of testing situations is provided, from criminal to business investigation, and pre-employment analysis. The Academy is the only school offering an education in the Morgan Interview Thematic Technique (MITT), a projective test that assists in assessing a person’s truthfulness as well as provides important information that can be used in post-test interviews.

The Academy’s educational concept is distinguished as one that aims for total involvement of the student, from theory, techniques and instrumentation, through direct student involvement and participation in the testing procedure. Eligible candidates enter the Academy for comprehensive study and eight weeks later graduate as professionally trained Forensic Psychophysiologists. Students leave the Academy with an operational expertise geared to his or her individual working style and environment.

If you would like additional information regarding the basic polygraph examiner course, or if you are interested in becoming an American Polygraph Association accredited polygraph examiner, please contact Mrs. Joanette Karsten for assistance.

 

Email: Joanette@polyinstitute.co.za

Cellular phone / WhatsApp: 084 640 4182

Telephone Number: 012-765 2800

 

Nathan J. Gordon, B.A.

Director

 

Nathan J. Gordon is founder and Director of the Academy for Scientific Investigative Training. He is a past President of the American Polygraph Association, and also served as President Elect, and two terms as Vice President Private. He is currently President of the Pennsylvania Polygraph Examiners’ Association and previously held that position from 1987-1995. He has Chaired the APA’s Membership Committee, and has served on the Finance Committee, Continuing Education Committee, Legislative Committee, and Research Committee. He is a charter member and Board of Director of the Vidocq Society, a nonprofit organization of forensic experts, featured on CBS’s “48 Hours.”

Mr. Gordon began his investigative career in 1969 and since, has been actively engaged in all aspects of criminal, retail and industrial investigation. He is internationally recognized as an expert in the fields of forensic psychophysiology, behavioral assessment interviewing and interrogation. He has been used as an expert witness in cases before local, state, federal and military courts of law. He has personally conducted over 11,000 polygraph examinations, solving many hundreds of them by confession, including numerous homicides. Mr. Gordon is coauthor of “Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques,” and has published numerous research papers and articles on forensic psychophysiology, investigation and security. He is the innovator of the Integrated Zone of Comparison Polygraph Technique, the Horizontal Scoring System and Academy’s Algorithm for manual chart analysis. He wrote and produced a three-tape video program on interviewing and interrogation, and was a national lecturer for the University of Delaware’s Body Movement in the Interview Process Seminar.

He has appeared on 48 Hours, Good Morning America, and CNN 8. He has a certificate in Law  Enforcement, an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, and Baccalaureate degree in Psychology from Temple University.

A QUALIFICATION THAT IS RECOGNIZED

Due to the lack of legislation in South Africa pertaining to the physiological detection of deception industry, including practice and training, there are a significant amount of unaccredited and unrecognized institutions offering courses, often without making full disclosure regarding their lack of recognition, concealing the fact altogether, or using wordplay to mislead. We encourage all persons interested in pursuing training to take the time to conduct proper due diligence to ensure that your qualification is in fact recognized by the leading national and international professional bodies such as the Southern African Polygraph Federation, the South African Professional Polygraph Association, the American Polygraph Association and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Read the fine print. Many training institutions attempt to claim recognition or infer affiliation with national and international professional organization using terms such "rooted in," based on" or "in-line with" the guidelines and standards of particular organizations. In order to ensure that an organization is truly registered with and recognized by a professional body, we encourage everyone to contact the referred to organizations directly, or to request proof of recognition from the institution. Training institutions registered with, and recognized by, the American Polygraph Association can be found by selecting this link: APA Accredited Polygraph Programs

 

Why Choose The Academy for Scientific Investigative Training

Certification at the Academy of Scientific Investigative Training qualifies graduates for membership at leading professional organizations internationally, including the American Polygraph Association; the world's leading association dedicated to the use of evidence-based scientific methods for credibility assessment, the Southern African Polygraph Federation; South Africa's leading self-regulating professional body for polygraph examiners, the South African Professional Polygraph Association and many more.

Training is presented by qualified experts with years of experience. Combining international leaders in the profession with a global footprint as well as local experts to offer the best of combination of global knowledge for practical application in the South African milieu. The Academy for Scientific Investigative Training will empower students with the tools, skills and knowledge that they need to overcome any challenge, and to thrive in the South African environment as industry leaders.

Continued support and training from leaders in the field to ensure that you always have a support structure for knowledge, advice, continuous development and assistance. Become part of a professional community.

The Academy for Scientific Investigative Training offers a career focused curriculum not only designed to provide students with the knowledge they need, but the practical experience and wisdom needed to enter the new profession, as well as the skill set to continue to learn and grow.

The Academy of Scientific Investigative Training enables students to apply a wide variety of polygraph examination techniques for all purposes and circumstances. From pre-employment polygraph examinations, continuous risk management screening to polygraph examination techniques designed to for specific investigative purposes, students will receive all round training to ensure that they have the experience and knowledge for the best results.

 

“No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Lost Princess of Oz

 

 

 

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