Our Examiners
Steven Van Aperen
Polygraph Examiner MAPA, MAAPP
BA. (Criminal Justice Admin.)
Grad. Dip. (Security Mgmt)
Certified Workplace Trainer
Steven Van Aperen is known throughout Australia as an expert in the field of interviewing and detecting deception. Steve has received extensive training from the world’s leading international investigative authorities in how and why people deceive.
In 1996 Steve was the first Victorian Police Officer to graduate from Western Oregon University USA as a certified polygraph examiner. After graduating Steve trained with and examined polygraph testing formats and behavioural interview techniques utilised by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Polygraph Unit, US Secret Service, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Steve is a professional member of the American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP) and the American Polygraph Association (APA). Steve is now the Managing Director of Australian Polygraph Services and consults his services to the public, government and corporate organisations worldwide.
Steve also consults his services to the Victoria Police homicide squad and the South Australian Police Major Crime Squad and has conducted polygraph testing for in excess of 25 high profile homicide cases including one serial killer investigation. Steve has also conducted a number of other high profile polygraph tests and interviews including:
• The polygraph test on Frank Cole relating to his disclosure that he located Azaria Chamberlain’s body at Ayers Rock in 1981
• The polygraph test of Ron Vigenser the person accused by John Ford of being involved in the placement of 4.1 kilograms of cannabis into Schapelle Corby’s luggage at Bali airport. Ford testified at Corby’s trial in Bali that he overheard conversations whilst an inmate at Port Phillip prison that implicated Vigenser
• The polygraph test of Mike Scrafton, a senior government advisor, regarding a telephone conversation he had with the Prime Minister of Australia Mr. John Howard in relation to the “Children overboard” scandal
• The Polygraph test of Andrew Mallard in relation to his suspected involvement in the murder of Pamela Lawrence in West Australia in 1994. Mallard requested and underwent a polygraph test whilst in custody and was eventually released after nearly 12 years in prison
• A polygraph test conducted on the leader of the Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett
• The behavioural analysis of interviews conducted by Liz Hayes of 60 Minutes with Schapelle Corby the Australian woman charged with importing 4.1 kilograms of cannabis into Indonesia inside a body board bag
• The analysis of an interview conducted by Tara Brown of 60 Minutes with former Guantanamo Bay detainee Mamdouh Habib denying his involvement in terrorism or links with al-Qaeda
Radio & Television Appearances/Interviews:
3AW (Neil Mitchell), 2UE, ABC, 3LO, 5DN (Deryn Hinch), ABC radio, Today Tonight, A Current Affair (McDonalds competition scandal), Today Extra, Good Morning Australia (Bert Newton), The Footy Show (ARL), National Nine News (Perth serial killer investigation), Fox FM (Tracey & Matt), Southern FM, Sex Lies & Politicians, Hey, Hey its Saturday, Channel Ten News, The Panel, The Crud Show (Triple M), 3AW (Ernie Sigley) Triple J. Mornings with Kerri-Anne and various others.
Feature Articles:
The Herald Sun, Security Australia, The West Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sunday Herald Sun, The Telegraph, Queensland Courier Mail, The Investigator, Australian Style, The Age, Security Oz Magazine, The Financial Review, GQ Magazine, Who Magazine, Madison.
Gavin Willson
Gavin Willson is a certified Polygraph Examiner having graduated from an approved course of study in polygraph training under Nathan Gordon, Director, Academy for Scientific Investigative Training in Philadelphia, USA. Gavin's certification as a Polygraph Examiner satisfies the standards stipulated for education and training of individuals involved in the science of Forensic Psychophysiology published by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). Whilst in Philadelphia Gavin received training in the calibration and operation of computerised polygraph instrumentation including Axciton Systems, Lafayette and Stoelting whilst conducting validated polygraph testing techniques.
Gavin has also attended training seminars including:
- 5 day seminar in Forensic Interviewing Integrated Interrogation Techniques Statement Analysis (Philadelphia USA).
- 3 day Polygraph Refresher Course at Bucks County Police Training Centre (Pennsylvania USA).
- Completed an Advanced 3 day seminar in Forensic Psychophysiology (Philadelphia USA).
Gavin was the first polygraph examiner in Australia to have completed training in Post Conviction Sexual Offender Testing (Philadelphia PA) which utilises polygraph testing in the treatment and surveillance of convicted sexual offenders and paedophiles released into the community.