Frequently Asked Questions

Very accurate, assuming the examiner is using a specific issue format. Published studies for polygraph will show accuracy rates from 85% up to 99% depending on the process. The algorithms claim accuracy of up to 99% depending on the quality of charts produced. Eye detect lie detection accuracy has published studies claiming accuracy slightly less than polygraph, 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 and a certified member of the National polygraph association. To be considered a full member of the American polygraph association, 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 an association, you would also want your examiner to be a member of that Association. These associations 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, calm your significant others concerns, etc, then that’s what a polygraph is for.

Everyone is nervous and scared. Who wouldn’t 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.

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 attorneys will commonly urge you to do if law enforcement or CPS is suggesting you take one.

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

Yes and No, not as is 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 a specific question formulation that involves knowledge that is not privy to the client. However, either you or the person on whose behalf you are taking the test will have to assist the examiner to make sure we are covering your concerns. You should discuss how the questions work in advance with the examiner so you know if the test will accomplish what you are looking for. Never just show up at an exam with a list of questions someone gives you.

Call the examiner and chat with him or her, and ask questions. Don’t walk into it blindly. Unless ordered by law, no one can force you to take a polygraph test. You may not like the repercussions of 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 during the exam, typically unless an interpreter is needed, it will be the examiner and examinee only in the room during the test. Exams are required to be audio or audio and video recorded for allegations of misconduct or transparency, so if a situation arises, you can have that quality controlled.

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 least. There are two different memberships from the American Polygraph Association that should interest you. When you are a new examiner or an examiner who does not have many exams under their 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, you are a 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 the examiner you are talking to. Another good credential would be a certified member of the National Polygraph Association. Any other memberships in good standing are a plus. If you are talking to an examiner who is not at least an associate member of The American Polygraph Association, 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 that the examiner is a member. 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 for legal defense. 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. Assured Polygraph LLC works with defense attorneys on a regular basis to assist in their client’s defense.

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 who 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. Do not rely on over-the-phone methods of testing. 

6. Quality examiners don’t work cheaply. It is known in the legal system that quality examiners charge around $350 to $500 or more per exam (one examinee) for a trustworthy exam. 

The polygraph can change the rest of your life regardless 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 or the content of the exam, 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. If they are a police officer, 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. Assured Polygraph LLC is not a mandated reporter, and we keep our clients' confidential information strictly private within the law.

Often when there is a divorce, there are accusations of wrongdoing on one or both sides. It is always a good thing if you can clear your name for your family. You may also increase your credibility when there is a specific allegation that may effect the outcome of the proceeding. 

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 cannot 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. 

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 for sex related exams. It will give the examiner information showing whether the examinee is displaying physiological responses that are indicative of deception. A cognitive or Eye Detect lie detector exam has slightly lower accuracy rates than a polygraph, but many benefits and can be conducted in around 30 to 45 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 who developed the computerized polygraph and is sometimes preferred as a substitute when an examinee might have arrhythmia issues or heart palpitations.

Yes, but ultimately it is up to how comfortable the examiner is with your condition. Be transparent with that examiner when booking the polygraph test and see what they recommend. You may want to consider using the cognitive Eye Detect, as there is no blood pressure cuff or chest tubes for the abdominal and upper thoracic areas. It is common to have to provide a doctor's release for testing subjects who have medical issues.