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 General information
A privately arranged polygraph examination in a criminal case begins
with an appointment, usually made through an attorney. The examiner
will probably ask the attorney to furnish  whatever reports are available, and he will
review those
before the client arrives for his or her examination. The client's time
at the examiner's office is usually about 1-1/2 hours, although
additional time can be needed, and re-tests from inconclusive results
are occasionally necessary.
All questions are discussed with the client before the
examination is begun.
Most examiners, police and private, follow essentially the same test
procedures.
Favorable results with a private examiner often do not require a retest
with
a police examiners. Instead, a review of the charts and questions may
be
sufficient.
Most examiners now use computerized instruments that
provide
software analysis
of the charts in addition to the examiner's personal evaluation. The
charts
themselves are similar to those produced on paper by older instruments.
In
that sense, either kind of instrument functions primarily as a
recording device,
creating a record of physiological changes occurring in someone while
he
or she is answering test questions.
Besides tests on specific criminal allegations, tests on
law
enforcement applicants and on convicted sex offenders are common. They
differ in several ways from tests on criminal issues. First, they are
not usually arranged through an attorney, but rather through the hiring
agency or, in the case of sex offenders, through a corrections officer
or therapist. Second, the test itself probably will follow a slightly
different format than what is customary for a specific criminal
allegation, although questions are still discussed before the exam
begins. Third, there is no confidentiality in a sex offender
examination. Everything is "on the record." There is probably only
limited confidentiality in an applicant examination, depending on the
agency. In some cases, divulged information may be shared with other
agencies and may be subject to prosecution. If that's a concern, ask
about it or stay home.
What about
nervousness?
It is assumed that anyone who undertakes a polygraph examination will
be nervous. Conclusions are not based on how nervous or how calm
someone is. Results depend on physiological patterns that are
relatively brief and are distinguishable from general nervousness.
Can the test be
beaten?
Very little in life is beyond the range of possibility. Yes, it is
possible to beat a polygraph examination deliberately. The more
appropriate question would be, "Are those efforts likely to succeed?"
The answer to that is no. Polygraph examiners are familiar with all of
the usual means that liars have used to try to produce favorable
results in polygraph examinations. If you're thinking of trying
something you've read about on the Internet, remember that the examiner
has read the same information. Most persons trying to beat a polygraph
examination are so awkward and unskilled in their attempts that their
efforts are easily detectable.
Generally, the harder someone tries to "beat" the test, the more he
enhances
his deceptive reactions. The best advice for liars is simply don't take
the test.
Use of drugs and
medicines
Drugs and medicines do not generally have any adverse impact on a
polygraph examination. Prescription medications should be continued in
the prescribed doses. The effect of any drug, whether legal or illegal,
is not specific with regard to any particular question in the
examination. Excessive amounts of any drug can occasionally cause an
inconclusive
result, but excessive drug use is usually apparent from both a person's
behavior and his polygraph charts.
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