The Polygraph Process

It’s not like on TV.  It is a very structured and standardized process, at least if you go to a reputable examiner who follows the guidelines set forth by the American Polygraph Association.  What you should expect in your examination is this:

• A consultation for your situation.
• The examiner and examinee only in the exam room.
• An overview explanation of the entire process.  This should include what polygraph is, how it works, why it works and what sensors are going to be attached to you and why.
• A review of your circumstances that brought you in for the exam.
• A brief history of you as it relates to your situation.
• The creation of the test questions and thorough review with you to ensure common meaning.
• The test questions are all yes/no.  There are no surprise questions.  Once they are agreed upon during the review process, they should not be changed.
• The testing process should include at least three separate presentations of the questions during the exam (sometimes more, but not always).
• You should receive a detailed written report that outline what was discussed, the questions asked and the results of the test.

If you go through a process like this, you should expect accurate results from your examination.  Every examiner does things a little bit different and that is OK.  There are certain things that must happen to have a proper process and valid testing format.  If your examiner follows a process like this and follows the appropriate, validated formats, the Feds show the reliability of these examinations well above 95%.  That is extremely high.  Nothing in life is 100%, but this is highly reliable.

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