Internal Affairs & Professional Standards
Internal Affairs Investigations.
Evaluate AISIS and VASIS as supplemental resources for trained examiners conducting legally authorized interviews about disputed accounts, evidence discrepancies, and alleged policy violations.
Request an Internal Affairs briefing- Defined questions
- Begin with the event, the available evidence, and the facts still in dispute.
- Examiner control
- Keep interview preparation, interpretation, and follow-up with qualified professionals.
- Independent evidence
- Check leads against records and witnesses before reaching a conclusion.
The investigative task
Clarify the account. Verify the facts.
Internal Affairs teams must reconstruct events when statements conflict, records are incomplete, or an officer's explanation needs further review. A database entry may confirm access without explaining its purpose. A property discrepancy may expose a custody gap without establishing misconduct.
Where authorized, voice stress analysis may be considered within a structured interview process. Its role is supplemental: analytical observations need context, and any issue identified for follow-up must be tested independently.
The scenarios below are potential applications, not reports of agency deployments or demonstrated investigative outcomes.
Potential interview topics
- Conflicting incident reports and disputed timelines
- Evidence handling, property access, and custody discrepancies
- Unauthorized access to or disclosure of confidential information
- Alleged theft, collusion, corruption, or abuse of authority
- Disputed instructions, reporting omissions, and policy violations
Two current VIPRE platforms
AISIS innovation. VASIS experience.
AISIS is VIPRE's AI-assisted stress identification platform, designed to support examiner-led review. VASIS remains a current, valued voice-based platform for structured examination work.
Discuss each system's capabilities, recording requirements, training, and documentation with VIPRE. Evaluate the exact product and procedure against your unit's needs and the available scientific evidence. AI assistance and operational convenience do not by themselves establish deception-detection accuracy.
Neither system replaces professional examiner judgment, a complete investigation, or corroborating evidence.
Before an agency proceeds
- Confirm legal authority for the specific administrative application.
- Identify qualified examiners and any separate licensing requirements.
- Define participation, recording, retention, and review procedures.
- Request relevant validation research and documented limitations.
- Establish how every follow-up issue will be independently checked.
Safeguards first
Protect the officer. Protect the investigation.
Agency counsel should review applicable state law, officer protections, labor agreements, and departmental policy before an examination is proposed. Rules for criminal investigations or applicant screening do not automatically authorize an administrative IA examination.
When administrative and criminal matters run in parallel, counsel must direct the handling of compelled statements, recordings, analytical materials, and access to information. Adding voice analysis does not remove constitutional protections.
VIPRE offers basic examiner certification and online training information. Manufacturer training does not confer legal authority or automatically satisfy state licensing requirements.
Stress is not proof of deception. Disciplinary findings must rest on properly obtained evidence, never solely on a voice stress indication.
Questions from agency leaders.
Can AISIS or VASIS establish that an officer lied?
No. Stress-related observations do not independently establish dishonesty or misconduct. They require context, and any resulting lead must be checked against independent evidence. Neither product should be the sole basis for discipline or exoneration.
Is VSA permitted in every department's internal investigation?
No nationwide permission should be assumed. The specific technology and proposed examination require review under state law, officer protections, labor agreements, and agency policy. Agency counsel should resolve participation requirements and any restrictions before an examination is proposed.
Does VIPRE provide legal clearance for an examination?
No. VIPRE can discuss its products, examiner training, and supporting documentation. Legal authority, compelled participation, and safeguards for administrative and criminal proceedings remain matters for agency counsel and the appropriate authorities.
Further reading
Review the investigative framework.
Our Field Notes article covers interview preparation, reporting, federal employment-law distinctions, Garrity protections, and the scope of published VSA research.
Read Voice Stress Analysis for Internal Affairs ›Discuss your agency's needs
Request an Internal Affairs briefing.
Tell VIPRE your agency, state, and intended administrative application. Discuss AISIS, VASIS, examiner preparation, and available supporting documentation before deciding whether either platform fits your approved process.
Use the general inquiry form without submitting confidential case details.
Contact VIPRE about Internal Affairs