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Recognition Tests
There are tests that rely upon the examinee recognizing that certain stimuli are related to a crime under investigation, and others are not. The most researched of these methods is the Concealed Information Test (CIT, or formerly the Guilty Knowledge Test). Using the CIT, an investigator might try to determine whether the suspect recognizes the type of weapon used, the amount of money stolen, the type of valuables looted, or any other detail of a crime that is likely to be known by the perpetrator, but not an innocent person. Suppose that a convenience store was robbed of $211, and the clerk shot by a 22 caliber pistol. During a CIT the examinee would be asked: Regarding the amount of cash stolen from the 7-11 last night, do you know if it was; $423, $886, $155, $390, $575, $211, $160, $79. A similar test would be given using gun calibers. If the examinee reacted strongest to the crime-relevant items, it would suggest that he knew something an innocent person is unlikely to know. It would tell the investigators that the suspect needs to be questioned further.
Accuracy for the CIT is estimated to be 88%. This is not significantly different from the standard single-issue tests used in polygraphy. Despite the simplicity of the CIT to conduct and analyze, it can only be used when innocent persons have not had access to crime-relevant information. Moreover, they are not appropriate for screening, since the success of the test depends on the investigator having information to construct the test to determine what the examinee recognizes.
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