What You Should Know

Nothing is ever 100% accurate. You might think polygraph is perfect or believe all the hype and information you see on the internet or TV debunking the technology. Most of the information provided on the internet about polygraph is provided by people who have no training or specific knowledge about how the technology works because they have never been certified as a polygraph examiner and they rely on word of mouth or what they think they know providing you inaccurate information. This misguided information will often scare you into thinking the experience will be horrible or making you worry more than necessary. Some will say, “I failed because I was nervous!” Well, that might be partially true, here is why: Everyone is nervous when they go to take a polygraph or “lie detector" test. Nervousness in itself, has very little effect on polygraph tests and only establishes a baseline. The autonomic nervous system and central nervous system when triggered because someone is being deceptive is what provides a response well above the established baseline resulting in a significant reaction. People who say they failed because they were nervous were most likely nervous about being caught in a lie or not willing to be 100% transparent, therefore having a significant response on the test. When being tested by a certified polygraph examiner (especially one who has extensive experience in law enforcement and interviewing), you will have a much better result in test accuracy and personal experience. The examiner makes a world of difference while the polygraph instrument records your physiology. These two combined create the best and most accurate outcome and experience.  

While growing up, lying was something done by all of us at one time or another. Even in adulthood, we often lie on a daily basis. I am sure that at some time in your childhood you lied to your parents about something that you did that you should not have. Such instances bring back memories of looking your parents in the eye and denying the act much like in adulthood looking at your boss denying you were the one responsible for something gone wrong. You may have a calm truthful look about you on the outside, but inside your body your heart was racing, your palms were sweating, and your stomach felt like it was turning upside down. The very same thing takes place as a child or an adult. We never lose these involuntary responses in situations when we feel we must protect ourselves from the consequences of lying.

A polygraph is a recording of the physiological changes that take place within your body when you are asked a question. The polygraph instrument senses the presence or absence of such responses and records them on a digital moving graph monitored by a highly trained certified polygraph examiner. The polygraph examiner can determine with a high degree of reliability that the responses your body produces indicate that you are not telling the truth. The polygraph examination is really your own evaluation of your own truthfulness. If you believe that whatever you may have done is so horrendous that you cannot be completely truthful about it on the polygraph, it will show up as an emotional response.

The examination is painless and does not use injections, shock, or drugs. The polygraph instrument is essentially a pneumatically and electronically operated sensing instrument that records changes in blood pressure, blood flow, pulse, respiration, and perspiration unlike what you may have seen on TV.

The pneumograph tubes are corrugated rubber tubes (or electronic sensors) placed over the examinees chest and abdominal area that will record respiratory activity. During a test, the circumference of the chest and abdomen will increase and decrease with each breath you take. The pneumograph tubes stretch and contract accordingly. Two small metal plates or disposable adhesive electrodes, attached to the fingers, will record sweat gland activity. The skin conductance, or GSR, is recorded by means of the passage of an imperceptible electrical micro-current through the hand or fingers bearing the attached metal plates. A blood pressure cuff device will record cardiovascular activity. When the cuff is inflated, the alternating distension and contraction of the tissue of the arm due to the changes in blood pressure and blood volume will cause an increase or decrease in pressure within the cuff and in the associated sensor. Some instruments also monitor other activities. For example, a finger plethysmograph, which monitors blood volume in a fingertip, or motion sensors, which monitor general movements that might interfere with test data, are often used. It is important to note that a polygraph does not include the analysis of physiology associated with the voice. Instruments that claim to record voice stress are not polygraphs and have not been shown to work any better than chance (i.e., accuracy is similar to making a decision based on a coin toss or guess).

True Polygraph LLC utilizes the Lafayette Computerized Polygraph along with the CPS Pro Polygraph instrument for increased accuracy. The computerized polygraph instrument records, stores, and analyzes physiological changes in the body using a scoring algorithm and a scoring system. It reports a percentage of probability that a examinee is truthful or deceptive. An examiner will also look at and score the charts and give his/her opinion. You not only have a certified examiner looking at and scoring the charts and giving his/her opinion but also the computer polygraph will give a report on the results.

Attorneys and law enforcement agencies use the technology when questioning witnesses and suspects and utilize polygraph in the pre-hiring process. If law enforcement administers a polygraph test to a suspect, they also need to issue the Miranda warnings before administering a polygraph test. 

Many people decide to take advantage of a polygraph test to resolve personal or family conflict and vindicate or prove someone is being deceptive or truthful. The polygraph test includes a pre-test interview and post-test interview if needed. The interview is also an effective way to calm nerves and sometimes helps resolve the internal conflict someone may have prior to the test. 

Your certified polygraph examiner will have extensive interviewing skills and experience.  We pride ourselves in making you feel like your taking part in an interview rather than feeling like you’re being interrogated. 

The United States Supreme Court leaves the question of the admissibility of polygraph test evidence up to individual jurisdictions. Some courts allow polygraph test evidence in certain proceedings or only when both parties stipulate and agree to its admissibility. States that sometimes allow polygraph tests as evidence in a criminal case include:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Here’s why: Due to professional limits as to the number of tests per day per examiner, reliable test average length (1-½ to 2 hrs), the best quality equipment, private offices, insurance for conducting tests, ongoing mandatory training requirements, and additional costs, a real certified polygraph examiner will not be able to offer this cheap pricing for a single polygraph test.

Here’s why: An actual real polygraph test is a scientific procedure that requires the certified examiner to follow stringent protocols and rules (based on the American Polygraph Association’s regulations), which will take a minimum of NO less than 90 minutes. They will often take longer depending on the circumstances. 

Here’s why: The polygraph instrument is an electronic device that utilizes medical sensors to record human physiological responses. The device itself does not differentiate between truth and deception! It requires a skilled certified polygraph examiner to collect the data in a validated scientific method and analyze the graphic polygraph charts. This requires a knowledgeable understanding and skill along with an abundance of experience, as every polygraph test or lie detector will be different.

Here’s why: Polygraph tests often shown on TV and other social media outlets are mostly staged and make a mockery of polygraph. They are typically for entertainment value only. The amount of editing and entertainment value is cut to a short synopsis only to get the results and no TV show would film the entire 90 minutes to accurately show a real polygraph being conducted. 

Explanation: The lie detector test is a stressful situation and process. Allowing the accuser to be present in the room during the test dramatically reduces its validity. Studies showed that false results occur due to the external threat and inconvenience projected to the examinee by a third party being present. Polygraph conduct and ethical regulations prohibit any third party (except for an interpreter) from being present in the examination room during the administration of a polygraph (lie detector) test. (APA Model Policy, #9). APA regulations require the recording of the entire procedure with audio and video!  

If you cannot trust the examiner’s integrity, ethics, professionalism, and reputation, don’t use their services!

Explanation: Although some regional polygraph (lie detector) organizations exist, there should be NO reason why your certified polygraph examiner in Southern California is NOT an acknowledged member of this globally recognized professional organization (affiliated with the US government) other than NOT meeting the minimum required qualifications.