Question 1

Can strong emotions influence the test result?

Accepted Answer

This is the most common concern. General emotions, test anxiety, or fear are perfectly natural and represent the subject's baseline. The examiner uses control questions to establish this baseline. Deception-specific reactions are evaluated through clear physiological deviations recorded only on relevant (critical) questions compared to control questions, so general nervousness cannot accidentally trigger a false-positive result.

Question 2

How should I physically prepare before the test?

Accepted Answer

Preparation is extremely simple: ensure you are well-rested (a good 7-8 hours of sleep is ideal), eat normally before the test, and avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, or any sedatives on the day of the test. If you are taking mandatory prescription medication, it should be continued normally and declared to the examiner during the pre-test phase.

Question 3

Can people with medical conditions or pregnant women be tested?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with severe heart conditions or major respiratory disorders can only be tested with their doctor's consent. Generally, we do not recommend testing pregnant women due to ethical considerations and the complex physiological changes of the body during pregnancy, which can alter the charts.

Question 4

Are the test results reliable? What is the margin of error?

Accepted Answer

When the examination is conducted by an accredited examiner using standardised protocols (such as the APA or BPA), the reported accuracy is 90–98% on single-issue tests. There is a very small margin of error, which usually arises from extreme attempts to use countermeasures or poor question phrasing, which is why we pay close attention to the preliminary phases.

Question 5

Can minors participate in a polygraph test?

Accepted Answer

Minors can only be tested with the express, prior written consent of their parents or legal guardians. Furthermore, the test is only conducted if the minor possesses the full mental capacity to understand the exact meaning of the questions asked, and the assistance of a parent or psychologist is mandatory.

Question 6

When is a polygraph test recommended?

Accepted Answer

A polygraph test is recommended in situations where the truth needs to be objectively verified: clarifying suspicions of infidelity, pre-employment or periodic employee integrity checks, internal investigations in case of theft or fraud, or to support an investigation.

Question 7

How long does a polygraph test take?

Accepted Answer

A complete polygraph session lasts, on average, between 90 and 120 minutes. This includes: the pre-test interview (30-45 minutes), the design and explanation of the questions, the actual data collection (3-5 charts of about 5 minutes each), and the post-test analysis and discussion of conclusions.

Question 8

Is the test painful or invasive?

Accepted Answer

No. The test is completely non-invasive. Two pneumatic tubes are placed around the chest, a blood pressure cuff on the arm, and two electrodes on the fingers. None of these components cause pain. The experience is closer to a detailed medical interview than to an interrogation.

Question 9

Will the test result be legally binding?

Accepted Answer

In the UK, polygraph results are not admissible as evidence in court. The test is an investigative and screening tool: an expert report prepared to recognised standards (such as the American Polygraph Association) can support a defence or investigation by helping assess credibility and identify lines of enquiry, but it does not determine legal guilt or innocence.

Myths vs. Reality