Department of Forensic Psychophysiology – Sapientia University

Within the framework of its academic agreement with the European Polygraph Academy (EPA), Sapientia University delivers a university program in Forensic Psychophysiology and Credibility Assessment, aligned with international standards (Europolygraph, ASTM) and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) under the Bologna Process (ECTS, learning outcomes, and quality assurance).
Our aim is to train professionals able to design, record, and interpret psychophysiological data— including the responsible use of the polygraph—by integrating scientific foundations, ethics, QA/QC, data protection, and rigorous academic communication. The program combines theory, practice placements/labs, and continuous assessment, strengthening technical competence and critical thinking for academic and expert-witness contexts.

Who are we?

Sapientia University prioritizes the delivery of truly practical training adapted to the needs of companies and the labor market. For this reason, partnerships with businesses and other non-official training entities for the development of this practical training constitute the main distinguishing feature of our institution.

In compliance with the provisions of Law 12/2013 of June 13 on commerce, on March 18, 2025, the trade name Sapientia University was certified in the Register of Trade Names of the Government of Andorra, authorizing the institution to carry out the following activities: business management, promotion of studies and higher-education centers, and operation of in-person and online university-level teaching centers. The application for official degrees and the strategic plan—already submitted to the Govern d’Andorra in July 2025—are pending approval.

The Principality of Andorra is part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), and therefore, the degrees issued in this country are valid in all countries included in the Bologna Process.

To train university-level specialists in forensic psychophysiology with a solid scientific, ethical, and methodological foundation, capable of applying instrumental credibility-assessment techniques—including the polygraph—under academic criteria and international standards, in coherence with university quality and knowledge development.

The program is delivered under the framework agreement between the European Polygraph Academy (EPA) and Sapientia University, structuring teaching, curriculum design, and academic supervision in line with EHEA requirements. This alliance ensures:

  • Curricular coherence across content, assessment, and learning outcomes.

  • A specialized faculty with experience in forensic psychophysiology and higher education.

  • Ongoing updates of materials and teaching methodologies.

Training is aligned with:

  • Europolygraph: education standards and professional good practices.

  • ASTM (relevant standards): terminology, processes, and quality control.

  • Bologna Process / EHEA: ECTS structure, defined learning outcomes, competency-based assessment, transparency, and internal academic QA/QC.

  • Ethics & data protection: a learner- and participant-centered approach that safeguards dignity and scientific integrity.

    • Didactic sequence: foundations → instrumental techniques → interpretation criteria → ethics/QA/QC → academic communication of results.

    • Active methods: case studies, analysis of psychophysiological tracings, didactic simulations of pre-test/post-test interviews, performance rubrics, and formative feedback.

    • Assessment: continuous and final, with tools aligned to competencies/LOs (rubrics, practical exams, technical report).

    • Instrumentation: multichannel recording (respiration, electrodermal activity, cardiovascular) and technical handling of the polygraph in controlled academic settings.

    • Question design & models: Relevant–Control comparisons and zone-based analysis where appropriate, using recognized interpretation criteria.

    • Quality control (QA/QC): calibration, artifact management, traceability, and documentation.

    • Academic communication: drafting technical reports and discussing limitations.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

  • Explain the psychophysiological foundations of credibility assessment.

  • Design question batteries and conduct pre-test/post-test interviews.

  • Record and analyze psychophysiological signals applying validated interpretation criteria.

  • Implement ethics, QA/QC, and data protection across the training process.

  • Write technical reports in academic language, including a discussion of limitations.

    • ECTS credits: as published on SapientiaUniversity.com.

    • Modality: online/blended according to the current curriculum design.

    • Assessment: practical activities, objective tests, case analyses, and a final technical report graded with academic rubrics.

    • Faculty: instructors specialized in forensic psychophysiology and credibility assessment with teaching and technical experience.

    • Resources: manuals, digital library, academic practice guides, case banks for didactic analysis, and a repository of assessment instruments.

  • Promotion of critical reading of the literature, methodological updating, and academic transfer (internal seminars, review papers, teaching projects), reinforcing an evidence culture and continuous improvement of the program.

Check entry requirements, academic calendar, ECTS, and the student guide on SapientiaUniversity.com. For academic queries, the Faculty Office provides guidance on enrolment, ECTS recognition, and learning support.