Stress Detector

Stress Detector
Type	Sensory Aid
Tech Level	TL–14
Cost	Cr1,500
Size	2 liters
Weight	6 kg

The Stress Detector is the linear descendant of the polygraph. It uses readings of a suspect’s physical responses, voice stress, and similar phenomena to establish the individual’s degree of truthfulness under questioning. It is not, however, necessarily accurate in its readings, and the interpretation of readings is a complex matter.

A number of different models exist; some able to gather data from a distance (ranged), others requiring sensors to be attached to the skin (contact). Generally, the contact units are more reliable.

Due to the complex and seemingly ambiguous nature of the detector's readings, it must be run by a trained operator or be working with a computer to reduce the data. When starting a session of enquiry, the subject must be run through a number of registration questions. These help calibrate the machine to interpret the individual's responses. The longer time spent in this preliminary activity, the more accurate the machine's data become.

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Gary L. Thomas, Joe Fugate. "Cache and Carry." The Travellers' Digest 19 (1990): 47.
• Marc Miller. Imperial Encyclopedia (Game Designers Workshop, 1987), 56-57.