State of Connecticut using EyeDetect for Testing Adult Sex Offenders on Probation or Parole
The Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division (JBCSSD) of the State of Connecticut recently released public information indicating the EyeDetect lie detection technology is now being used for assessment and testing by Adult Sex Offender Services on a multi-year plan beginning Jan. 1, 2021. The contract calls for the state to administer 2,300 EyeDetect and polygraph exams annually.
Adult Sex Offender Services maximizes public safety and reduces re-offense rates by overseeing the assessment and treatment services for known sex offenders under probation or parole. Many cases require assessment and evaluation prior to release and assessment. Other cases require evaluation and treatment as a condition of parole, community release or probation supervision.
In addition to assessment and evaluations, this group oversees case management, home visits, treatment, discharge planning, communication and reporting, and training and technical assistance.
One Converus Service Partner based in Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. George Deitchman, an expert who has evaluated and treated sex offenders for 30+ years, a polygraph examiner since 2009 and an expert and trainer in the use of EyeDetect, has successfully used EyeDetect to test sex offenders in Florida since 2017.
“I’ve used EyeDetect with a number of clients to test for specific and maintenance issues, as well as sexual histories,” said Deitchman. “While traditionally we’ve used polygraph testing, the use of a pupillometry technology like EyeDetect — and its ability to measure subject physiological responses to test questions in an entirely different way — is helpful for some clients with extraneous movement or other testing issues. In addition, EyeDetect’s automation achieves similar or better results than other methods that require an examiner to do the testing and scoring.”
Deitchman added that when he’s used polygraph and EyeDetect in tandem — as a check on each other and to significantly increase outcome confidence of the testing — it’s been well received by probation officers and attorneys.
Adult Sex Offender Services has three types of assessment exams: full sexual history, maintenance (to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of parole/probation), and specific events. EyeDetect will be used principally for maintenance testing and for clients who, due to medical issues, are not suited to be examined with traditional polygraph.
The State of Connecticut first started using EyeDetect in July 2020 because of its ability to assess individuals while following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended social distancing guidelines.
EyeDetect, manufactured by Utah-based technology company Converus, is a noncontact, scientifically validated lie detection technology that accurately detects deception in 15-30 minutes by analyzing involuntary eye behavior. It’s currently used by more than 600 customers worldwide.
For more information, visit converus.com.
