The Concealed Information Test in the Laboratory Versus Japanese Field Practice: Bridging the Scientist-Practitioner Gap

Abstract

Whereas the Concealed Information Test (CIT) is heavily researched in laboratories, Japan is the only country that applies it on a large scale to real criminal investigations. Here we note that important differences exist in CIT design, data-analysis, and test conclusions between these two settings. These differences can be ascribed to using the CIT in the laboratory to judge the overall presence or absence of crime-related knowledge (examinee-focused), while using it in the field to assess recognition of individual pieces of crime-related knowledge (question-focused). The question-focused approach is one way to increase the usefulness of the CIT and is a key factor that allows Japanese law enforcement to apply the CIT to real criminal investigations. We hope this review can help bridge this apparent scientist{practitioner gap by encouraging critical reflection on the benefits and pitfalls of examinee- vs. question-based approaches, and by encouraging question-focused laboratory-based research that has direct relevance to Japanese field practice.