J. Patrick O’Burke, School Director & Primary Instructor
J. Patrick O’Burke has been the primary school director for the Polygraph Institute for 15 years and has directed more than thirty-five basic courses. Mr. O’Burke has taught polygraph examiner courses in Iraq for the Department of Defense, as well as previously instructing at the Texas Department of Public Safety Polygraph School, and the Sturm School of Polygraph. He was licensed as a polygraph examiner for more thna 41 years. Mr. OBurke was previsoyly licnesed in Texas before Texas dropped its licensing. He continues to retain a polygraph license in Lousiana. Mr. OBurke is a Past President of the Board for the American Polygraph Association and continues to serve on committees for policy and best practices. Mr. OBurke served as an advisor to the State of Texas licensing boards on polygraph issues and is currentkly an advisor to the Louisiana State Polygraph Board.
Mr. OBurke holds a masters degree in Criminal justice-Criminology. He has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience and retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Commander in the Criminal Law Enforcement Divison. He holds a Master Peace Officer certificate and an Instructor Certificate from TCOLE, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. He has authored numerous articles and frequently lectured on interviewing methods, intelligence best practices, and police performance management. He has also testified on police performance management in the United States Congress and Texas State legislature.
Clifford "Chip" Morgan, Primary Instructor
Mr. Morgan has more than 25 years of polygraph experience and was honorably retired as a Detective from the Boise, Idaho Police Department. Mr. Morgan has taught in numerous polygraph courses in both domestic and international locations including; Iraq, Nepal, and Barbados. He has a bachelors degree and is the author of "Focused Interviewing" a course text at Glynco, GA. Mr. Morgan is a member of the American Polygraph Association, the American Association of Police Polygraphists.
Gordon Moore, Primary Instructor
Mr. Moore is currently a polygraph program manager employed by the Las Vegas Nevada Metro Police Department. He has been employed as a polygraph examiner for more than 30 years and is well known for his professional awards and accomplishments in the field of polygraph. He has conducted more than 5000 polygraph examinations and has is the recipient of the Max Wastl Award from the AAPP in 2006 and the John E. Reid Memorial Award from the APA in 1999. He holds a bachelors degree from American Technological University.
Kara Ayala, Ph.D., CCC-SLP BCS-S. SME Physiology Instructor
Ms. Ayala has earned her masters and Ph.D. degrees from Northwestern University and is board-certified in Swallowing Disorders. She hails from Austin, Texas where she is currently practicing at the Heart Hospital. She has taught dozens of undergraduate and graduate courses spanning a variety of topics from neurology to anatomy/physiology to research and statistics. Her primary research interests include voice, neurological disorders, dysphagia and most recently, polygraph examination. Believing PDD to be her true calling in life, she hopes to contribute to the existing body of literature in PDD and continue developing her skills as a polygraph examiner.
Michael Landin, PhD., SME Physiology Instructor
Dr. Michael Landin earned his doctorate in Physical Therapy and is currently a licensed clinician. Dr. Landin has experience in both functional and structural anatomy and physiology. His anatomy experience includes extensive hours dissecting human cadavers in a university setting for laboratory training and academic testing purposes. He has spent over 10,000 hours under Orthopedic Fellowship programs in clinical practice treating neurological, orthopedic and musculoskeletal pain disorders. Additionally, he is trained as an acupuncturist and worked under Dr. Robert Guerrero, the current Dean of Acupuncture and the University of Incarnate Word.
Melissa Graham. PhD., SME Psychology Instructor
Dr. Graham is employed by the San Antonio Police Department and holds a doctorate degree in psychology. Dr. Graham has unique experience in providing psychology training and mental health care training for police officers and their families. Dr. Graham also provides critical incident services in crisis response and as a member of the San Antonio Police Department Hostage Negotiation Team. Dr. Graham is a coordinator for Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and provides psychological services to various community action groups and for the SAPD Peer Support program.
Kenneth W. Dollinger, Attorney & SME Instructor
Mr. Dollinger is a licensed attorney in the State of Texas and has significant experience as a judge, attorney, peace officer, and as a polygraph examiner. Mr. Dollinger is a graduate of Lamar University, South Texas School of Law in Houston and the University of Houston-Downtown Polygraph program. Mr. Dollinger has conducted thousands of polygraphs in criminal matters and sex offender supervision programs.
Other Guest Instructors are utilized as required. These guest instructors meet APA requirements for teaching.