The American Polygraph Association (or APA) was established in 1966 and includes 2,500 members in the polygraph

Polygraph

A polygraph measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions...

field.

The stated goals of the APA are:

• Serving the cause of truth with integrity, objectivity and fairness to all persons
• Encouraging and supporting research, training and education to benefit members of the Association as well as those who support its purpose and by providing a forum for the presentation and exchange of information derived from such research, training and education
• Establishing and enforcing standards for admission to membership and continued membership in the Association
• Governing the conduct of members of the Association by requiring adherence to a Code of Ethics and a set of Standards and Principles of Practice

APA members are proponents of the control question technique of polygraph admission, which includes asking questions designed to gain a greater physiological response from innocent subjects being given a polygraph.