Choosing a qualified polygraph examiner is crucial to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results in any polygraph examination. A highly skilled examiner brings expertise in interpreting physiological responses to questions, which is essential for distinguishing between truthful and deceptive answers. A qualified examiner adheres to established protocols and ethical standards, minimizing the risk of errors and bias. By selecting an experienced and certified professional, you enhance the credibility of the examination and the validity of its outcomes, which is particularly important in legal, employment, or personal matters where decisions are based on the results.
When looking for a qualified polygraph examiner, ask the following questions:
1. What school or institute did you attend for your polygraph training?
The American Polygraph Association (APA) is the best source for this information. www.polygraph.org. Don’t be fooled by individuals who have taken “home study” programs and claim to be certified polygraph examiners or “studied with a former federal agent.” If the individual cannot provide you with the institute’s name, they’re trying to spin the facts. Polygraph Institutes/schools provide training in psychology, physiology, interviewing techniques, instrumentation, countermeasures, and live examinations.
2. Are you a member of a professionally recognized polygraph association?
The only professionally recognized organizations are the American Polygraph Association (APA), the American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP), and state organizations such as the Kentucky Polygraph Association.
3. What is your experience?
Don’t fall for the spin factor—some claim to have conducted thousands of examinations. Ask them what types of specific examinations they’ve conducted. An individual whose primary focus is on pre-employment polygraph examinations is ill-prepared to conduct therapy, criminal, or defense attorney examinations.
4. What type of polygraph instrument/equipment do you use?
Computerized polygraph instruments are now in full use. The old analog instruments are used only as backup instruments. Occasionally you’ll see an individual on the Dr. Phil Show or similar program use the analog instrument (moving pens and paper). Yes they work up to a certain point, but it’s more for dramatics. The computerized instruments can provide clearer readings, detect intentional body movements made by an individual during an examination and contain a software program that assists the examiner in obtaining the final results. What if I’m offered a Voice Stress Analyzer in place of a polygraph?
5. Can I watch the examination?
No. During family-related examinations, the family should know what areas they want tested. This information is communicated to the examiner, who then works with the person taking the examination to formulate the final questions. To eliminate any hint of subjective results or acts of “bribery” by the person taking the examination, an independent witness should be present, and/or the entire process will be recorded. The computerized polygraph instruments are capable of recording the entire polygraph process.
6. Should I believe an individual’s Google or Yelp Reviews?
Don’t be misled by individuals posting false reviews of their work on Google Reviews or Yelp. Be aware that in many sectors of any business, including the polygraph industry, individuals will hire a company to post inaccurate or false reviews to make themselves more appealing. Yelp and Google make every effort to remove the false reviews, but not all are detected or removed promptly.