Providing Polygraph Testing Services

Polygraph tests record a number of different bodily responses which are then used to help determine whether someone is telling the truth. 

Polygraph tests measure physiological indicators of stress, such as  blood pressure, changes in a person's breathing, and sweating on the fingertips. The polygraph actually does not detect "truth," so much as it measures the indirect effects on the body of lying. The act of lying tends to increase stress, and a trained polygraph examiner carefully measures the behavioral and physiological changes that we know to occur under such stress. 

Polygraph tests thus do not measure deception or lying directly, but rather possible signs that a person could be deceiving the interviewer. 

Why get a Polygraph Examination?

Has a loved one accused you of infidelity...And no matter how hard you try, you can't get them to believe you?

Perhaps you are the one with the lingering fear that a significant other is not being truthful? How can you put the matter to rest?

Maybe you are locked in a bitter business dispute where there are conflicting claims but little concrete basis on which to decide who is telling the truth?

Why merely deny an accusation or live with a corrosive fear that you are being lied to?

A Polygraph Examination report can provide clarifying evidence of both honesty, and a willingness to "put that honesty to the test."

How does it work?

The examiner conducts a pre-test interview to familiarize the subject with the subject to be examined. 

This is followed by a practice test, which usually involves a number of straightforward questions. The aim is to relax the individual so they are comfortable and able to understand how the process works.  All the questions to be considered are reviewed with the subject prior to the exam, so that there are "no surprises." The subjects will know what questions will be asked before they are ever connected to the instruments.   

Next is the Testing phase.  The polygraph instruments are now attached.  These include a blood pressure monitor, electrodes placed on the fingers, and tubes around the chest and stomach to measure breathing. 

The actual time during which physiological measures are taken during questioning is typically about 10-15 minutes. 

The examiner asks a number of questions during the test and then compares the responses on up to 4 key  relevant questions. Finally, a post-test interview is conducted, where the subject is able to explain their responses. This information is then used in conjunction with everything else that is known about the person to form a clearer picture of whether or not they are being truthful. A typical polygraph will allow the examiner to offer an opinion on whether the subject was being deceptive on up to 4 specific questions during a single examination.

Is it accurate?

If the examiner is well-trained, and the test is carried out using proper control questions, the accuracy of a polygraph has been estimated to lie between 80%-90%.