Frequently Asked Questions

Very accurate, asumming the examiner is using a spacific issue format. Published studies will show accuracy rates from 85% up to 99% depending on the process. The algorithms claim accuracy of up to 99%. Eye detect lie detection accuracy has published studies claiming the same, but when using both polygraph and Eye detect on the same examine the outcome can be increased significantly. Do your homework on your examiner. Due to a lack of licensing restrictions in Minnesota, there are several so-called examiners practicing out there that are not qualified to do so, but they will happily take your money with little or no repercussions. Good examiners will take an ongoing interest in your case and even get you referrals for additional services if you need them. Make sure your examiner is a full member of the American Polygraph Association. To be considered a full member, the examiner must have a minimum education and quality controlled exam history. New examiners will typically be an associate member. If the state you are being tested in has a association, for example the (Minnesota polygraph Association), it is imperative that your examiner is a member. These ossociations are the watchdog for scam examiners. The association will only validate good examiners that have met the minimum requirements that are needed to test in the state. 

You need to ask yourself, what will you or the other party do if the examinee passes? What will you do if they fail? If you get the same answer to both questions then you may be wasting your money. However, if the test will get you out of hot water or ease your mind, catch a predator, etc, then that’s what polygraph is for.

Yes, if the examiner will release the information, we can check to see if the work had been properly performed and see if we agree with the results. Assured polygraph mentors new examiners.

Everyone is nurvous and scared. Who wouldnt be? A properly trained examiner will be able to have you comfortable by the time you take the test during the pretest interview; assuming you intend to be truthful. It is common for people to arrive at the appointment nervous and scared at times. We can see that on the charts, but that is not what we are looking for. If you come to the exam intending to withhold information, then nothing we can do or say will calm your nerves.

 Most tests from a qualified examiner will run $350 to $600 or more for polygraph and $350 or more for Eye Detect, depending on the company and location, type of test and conditions of the exam etc. A polygraph will change your life no matter what the outcome would be, and this is not a time to be bargain shopping. You may end up with a low-quality or uneducated examiner that has to work for beer money because no one else will hire them.

Yes, that is where the consultation comes in. We can look at your case, and put together an opinion on what questions they would likely use on your test and even administer our own exam on you first so you will know if It’s in your best interest to take their exam. This is what attornoys will commonly urge you to do if lawenforcement or CPS is suggesting you take one.

The APA suggests best practices for a traditional polygraph exam when involving a sex-related issue to take a minimum of 90 minutes. Other investigative exams shall not be required to be 90 mins, but good exams will be over an hour for sure. If any examiner tells you the test will take about an hour, for polygraph then hang up the phone and call another examiner. However, if you are taking an Eye Detect exam, these exams typically take between 30-45 minutes by standard and that is expected.

That would depend on what type of format the examiner uses, typically in each chart, there will be 8-13 with only 2-4 being questions directly relating to the offense, although some may be repeated in that same chart several times.

Yes and No, not directly anyway. The examiner will get the facts from you, or a third party and use that information to develop polygraph questions that will satisfy your concerns. Polygraph requires spacific question formulation that involves knowlegde that is not privy to the client. 

Offer to take one also, or use that to help you decide if they are willing to do what it takes to keep your trust. If they have nothing to hide, they should not have a problem.

Call the examiner and chat with him or her and ask questions. Don’t walk into it blind. Unless ordered by law, no one can force you to take a polygraph test, you may not like the repercussions by not taking it, but you cannot be forced to by a private party under legal circumstances.

In the lobby at best, but not in the room, typically unless an interpreter is needed, it will be the examiner and examine only in the room during the test. Exams are rquired to be audio or audio and video recorded for allegations of misconduct so if a situation arises, you can have that quality controlled. 

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There are no licensing standards in many states, so there are organizations that offer continued education and strict guidelines that examiners and training facilities must follow to hold these credentials. Your examiner should be a member of the American Polygraph Association at the least. There are two different memberships from the American Polygraph Association that should interest you. When you are a new examiner or an examiner that does not have many exams under your belt, you can only be an associate member of the APA. If you have the education requirements and over 100 quality-controlled exams showing you are an expert, the examiner is eligible to be a full member of the APA. I would ask your examiner if they are a full member or an associate member of the APA. This will speak to the level of examiner you are talking to. Any other memberships in good standing are a plus. If you are talking to an examiner that is not at least an associate member, I would hang up the phone. No matter what excuse they have to not be a member, you should keep calling around. Do not be afraid to go to the APA website and verify the examiner is a member.  If you are taking an exam in Minnesota, your examiner must be a member of the Minnesota Polygraph Association for your own peace of mind.  And remember anyone can tell you anything on the phone and you do not know who you are talking to. Do your homework.

Ask questions, make sure the examiner has experience in your type of issue, especially if you are going to be tested for infidelity as there are many complicated factors that come in to play. Not just any old examiner is the best choice for this issue. If the examiner cannot say they specialize in infidelity, keep looking for someone that does.

True, however, that does not mean they are not accurate.  They are used legally. Not admissible in a criminal trial means not admitted into evidence for a jury to deliberate on, but it does not mean the case cannot be heard by a judge and thrown out due to lack of incriminating evidence or be used to plea bargain your case to settle it before you are tried. Not admissible does not mean not accurate. They are used in pre-trial type hearings and the pre-stages of cases when they are trying to decide if there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial or an arrest. They are also used in law enforcement and county and state agencies, and for monitoring sex offenders out on parole or probation all the time. They are often used to help determine if there is any point in investigating someone on an allegation or to clear someone of an allegation before they are wrongfully charged. They are used because they are the most widely recognized method of obtaining the truth. If they did not work, the government agencies would not be using them.

Red flags for you to look for are as follows:

1. If an examiner offers to come to your home to give you a test. That’s against all standards and ethics and is not recommended.

2. If the examiner tells you that the test will take less than 90 minutes for sex-related cases. 

3. It is common to put down a deposit prior to your appointment to reserve that spot as no one likes holes in their schedule, but I would question anyone asking for the whole fee before the exam day.

4. Listen to your gut. If something does not sound right, it probably is not.

5. If the so-called examiner tells you that they will do a voice test over the phone with you. You could be talking to a 16-year-old computer nerd playing a PlayStation in his PJs that will flip a coin and give you their best guess for all you would know. Don’t fall for that one. If you want the truth, only use real examiners with real polygraph instruments, that you can meet with at a real office. 

6. Quality examiners don’t work cheap. It is known in the legal system that quality examiners charge around $350 to $600 or more for a trustworthy exam.

The polygraph can change the rest of your life reguardless of the outcome. This is not a time to be bargain shopping.

For the most part, good private examiners know that if they get a reputation for ratting customers out on their confessions. They will not have a business very long. The main thing is to ask your examiner if they are a mandated reporter. Most law enforcement examiners have to deal with that issue. Make sure you ask the examiner if they are also a police officer or anyone else who would be a mandated reporter, as many officers moonlight operating a polygraph on the side. Even if they promise you they will keep everything confidential, they are mandated by law to report things when children are involved. It’s up to you if you are willing to take that risk. We are not mandated reporters and we keep our client's confidential information strictly private within the law.

Even if your state is a no-fault state, polygraph tests may be able to benefit you. It would depend on what the case is. I am not an attorney and I am not giving you legal advice, so you should consult your attorney. I can speak about some similar situation case facts. I have heard of clients that have used the polygraph test to show that their spouse had been financially depriving with their involvement in spending money on inappropriate adult activities. Other clients used the polygraph to show their spouse gave them a sexually transmitted disease from their promiscuous behavior and sexual encounters with third parties. That may be enough to argue knowingly conflicting bodily harm or financial depriving. These and other types of situations may possibly give attorneys fuel to fight for additional spousal maintenance and or settlements at times. We also have seen confessions with permission from one of the parties involved to show a dangerous environment for children to help in custody cases. Again,  permission is needed to release this information. Again, this is what I have witnessed but you should consult your attorney for legal advice.

You need to check if your state has restrictions set by the EPPA Employer Polygraph Protection Act. Most states are restricted to law enforcement and government pre-employment and armored car companies and pharmacies etc and are forbidden to be used anywhere else. In Minnesota, you can not even so much as suggest that an employee take or may be subject to taking an exam. If you do you can be sued civilly and be prosecuted via Minnesota criminal code 181.75. If you fire someone because they refuse to take a polygraph, I hope you have deep pockets because you will be needing an attorney if your employee finds out about this law.

A traditional polygraph exam consists of 4 or more sensors placed on various parts of the body to collect data such as relative blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and galvanic skin response. This exam when conducted properly will take around 90 minutes. It will give the examiner information showing whether the examine is displaying physiological responses that are indicative of deception. A cognitive or Eye Detect lie detector exam has the same accuracy rates with many benefits and can be conducted in around 30 minutes. The examinee must be able to read and comprehend at a basic level. The examiner will answer questions on a computer while an eye-tracking device tracks and measures 17 or more features within the eye. This type of exam has been developed and endorsed by the same scientist that developed the computerized polygraph and is used in sheriffs offices and agencies around the world and is growing in popularity due to it being less invasive and intimidating.

Yes. If you want to use the cognitive Eye Detect as there is no blood pressure cuff or chest tubes for the abdominal and upper thoracic areas. Most examiners administering a physiological exam that uses such devices will tend to not administer to pregnant women. However, it is ultimately up to the examiner. It is common to have to provide a doctor's release for testing subjects that have medical issues.