1. What is the cost of the exam?

Answer:
We charge $500 per exam. We specialize in relationship testing. This is 95% of what we do. Our examiner has a degree in Psychology and a great deal of life experience dealing with tough relationship situations. If you choose us, I assure you this investment in your relationship will be well spent.

2. How many questions can I ask and can I ask them myself?

Answer:
That was actually two questions, but I've come to realize many people don't separate the two. This is in large part due to the influence of polygraph seen on television. Without going into a full explanation of why, the majority of polygraph tests you see done on television shows are not real polygraph tests and there is no possibility of their results being accurate. So when you see a person answering 20 or more questions for a television show, you must realize that you can't trust the results. Those tests are for entertainment and drama, not for verifying truth.

A real polygraph test is about a single issue, not about answers to individual questions. If the issue is whether or not your mate is cheating on you, the questions asked are ones that help you get a definitive answer to the issue of whether they cheated on you. That is why if a person shows a deceptive response to even one of the questions on the exam, they fail the entire test. Why? Because they are lying about the issue by lying to even that one question.

I could easily take your money and give you a test like you see on many television shows, where the test lasts about 30 minutes and you ask as many questions as you want. The problem is you could get the same results from writing the questions down, asking your mate each question and guessing whether or not they are telling the truth. What is the point of asking a multitude of questions if you can't trust that the results are accurate?

I utilize techniques and ask questions in ways that have been validated by years of research so that the results of the test can be trusted.

So to answer the questions, the number of questions is irrelevant, getting an accurate answer to the overall issue is what is relevant. The examiner constructs and asks all questions on the polygraph test based on the information gathered from conversation with the person being tested and their mate if applicable.

3. My partner is a very smart and persuasive person, will they be able to convince you they are telling the truth even if they are not?

Answer:
Can I as the examiner be fooled by a smooth talker? Absolutely. You know I'd be lying if I said no. Everyone has been fooled at some time in their life. But that is not the important question. The important question is this: Do I as the examiner trust my feelings over my polygraph charts? That answer is a resolved 'NO'.

On many occasions, I've been convinced of someone's guilt or innocence from conversation prior to running the actual charts. After the test, when the polygraph charts show my 'feelings' were wrong, I immediately change my perspective to match the charts. That is the only way I can be truly objective. I believe in my testing procedure so I trust my polygraph charts more than my feelings.

4. If I'm nervous, could that make it look like I'm lying when I'm not?

Answer:
There appears to be universal concern over nervousness affecting the polygraph test. Guilty people tend to play this theme up in hopes that when they fail, they will be able to cast doubt on the test by saying they were too nervous to focus, etc. Innocent people ask this question genuinely. Being nervous will NOT not affect the test, in fact, nervousness is expected. The simplest explanation is this; However nervous you are, you are nervous continually throughout the test. When you are telling the truth or lying to an individual question, your internal bodily reaction is specific to that question and that moment in time. The two things look very different on the polygraph charts.

5. I've read there are ways to 'beat the machine'. Will my partner be able to make the results look truthful even while lying?

Answer:
The answer is...they can certainly try. There is plenty of information available on the internet claiming to teach one how to pass a test when they know they are lying. I read that information too. The truth of the matter is that unless an individual has long term practice and access to a polygraph instrument with someone to run bio-feedback measurements, they are not going to successfully 'beat' the test. If I as an examiner were given a polygraph test today and tried to 'beat' the test, I also would be unsuccessful even though I know exactly how the test and the techniques work.

With that said, I do employ the latest techniques and equipment to recognize and eliminate countermeasure attempts and I do so quite successfully.

6. Why does the polygraph test take 2 - 3 hours, that seems awfully long.

Answer:
Yes it does. But that is how long it takes to provide a quality polygraph test with results you can trust. I don't cut corners and I don't rush tests. The more thorough I am in understanding you and the entirety of the issue at hand, the fewer mistakes will be made and the more accurate the outcome. Most of the time is spent talking. I will ask questions to ensure you are physically suitable for a test. I will ask about your background and understanding of lying. I will explain all the parts of the polygraph instrument, what they do and how polygraph works. I will listen to your side of the story and ask questions to clarify. I will answer any questions you have. I will take time to put the question list together. I will take additional time to go over each and every question with you BEFORE the actual test. I will conduct the actual test. I will review and manually score the charts. Finally, I will go over the results of the test with you before you leave. Basically, time flies once you are in the polygraph suite.

7. Can I be in the polygraph room to watch and listen while you give the polygraph test?

Answer:
I'll answer this question with a question. If it was you taking the polygraph, is there any chance what you said or did in a polygraph test would be influenced by your accuser sitting in the room watching and listening to every thing you said and did? More than likely. Think about the awkward feelings you already have around one another in your everyday lives because of the situation.

The answer to being in the polygraph suite to watch is no simply because it adds a possible source of outside influence on the test and the goal of any test is to eliminate as many sources of distraction as possible. Also, many people choose to finally 'unload' the truth during a polygraph test because people hiding the truth desire, on a deeper level, to have that burden lifted. Your being present during the actual testing may actually sabotage getting the ground level truth you desire.

With that said, the partner not taking the examination is free to wait in our quite comfortable lobby and free WiFi is availble if that helps pass the time.

8. How accurate is the polygraph test?

Answer:
If you have spent any time at all looking at accuracy rates for polygraph, you won't come up with one solid answer. The real answer is...it depends. And it would take a book to explain why it depends. The most solid quick answer I can give you based on statistical fact is the following:

The American Polygraph Association states that a properly conducted, specific issue examination, performed by a properly trained professional, will yield an accuracy rate between 92% and 98%. By the way, the 'properly conducted', 'specific issue' and 'properly trained professional' parts of that sentence are what give you those numbers, not the polygraph itself.

9. When will I get the results of the polygraph?

Answer:
The examinee will get verbal results immediately after the test is over and I have scored the charts. You will know how you did before you leave. A written report will be mailed to you within a few days. If the examinee wants the examiner to verbally give the results to their partner who was not able to come to the exam, we'd be happy to call and discuss the results with them after the test

10. Should I stop taking my prescription medications prior to the test?

Answer:
Absolutely not. The idea behind medications is to bring something in the mind or body that is out of whack into the normal range. We want you there as normal as possible, so take your medication as prescribed. The vast majority of prescription medications will have no impact on the examination. However, do not take any illegal drugs or alcohol within 24 hours of your appointment.

11. What is the minimum age required for polygraph testing?

Answer:
There is no minimum age, however, the polygraph requires a certain level of language and abstract concept comprehension to successfully complete an exam. This natural barrier eliminates most children under the age of twelve from being tested. There are occasionally exceptions to this guideline and those are dealt with on a case by case basis.

Still have unanswered questions? Ready to schedule an appointment? Call 678.772.6410