Frequently Asked Questions – Southwest Florida Polygraph Service

WHO SHOULD TAKE A POLYGRAPH?

Generally, any person who desires to verify their truthfulness regarding a specific situation or incident is a good candidate for a polygraph.

If you are taking any form of medication you need to inform the polygraph examiner prior to beginning the test. Physiological effects from drugs are immediately seen on polygraph chart tracings and must be satisfactorily explained for test validation purposes.

While blood pressure is a physiological reaction measured, high blood pressure does not affect testing.

HOW ACCURATE IS A POLYGRAPH?

There have been a number of studies published on polygraph accuracy. However, there is no set accuracy rate due to the number of variables that may affect the examination. Factors that can impact a polygraph are:

Scoring methods
Question formulation
Type of format used
Examinee’s condition
A thorough understanding of the case facts
Instrument functionality

HOW LONG DOES A POLYGRAPH TAKE?

A professionally administered polygraph examination normally takes between ninety minutes and three hours. A professional polygraph examiner will go through several structured phases to ensure accuracy.

There is a pre-test, test, and post-test phase during which the examiner and the client will go in-depth discussing test details. Clients often feel the need to fully explain their circumstances during the pretest. This is important and should never be discouraged.

The examiner should always attempt to answer any and all questions presented to him by the client taking the test.

CAN NERVOUSNESS CAUSE A PERSON TO FAIL A POLYGRAPH?

No, general nervousness cannot cause a client to fail a Polygraph test. Everyone who submits to a polygraph is nervous. The innocent, although truthful and think they should pass, often experience heightened anxiety. This effect is normal and has no effect on the positive outcome.

The guilty are nervous but for different reasons. The guilty tend to be afraid of being exposed. When the guilty person’s actions are exposed, they frequently suffer some negative consequence as a result of doing the bad thing. Being nervous about being exposed or about being punished is also normal and tends to help expose guilty and deceptive acts.

WILL MY POLYGRAPH BE CONFIDENTIAL?

The test is confidential between the examiner and the client taking the test. The client may also elect to provide the results to another person(s).

IN WHAT AREAS DO YOU PERFORM POLYGRAPH EXAMS?

International Polygraph has two office locations. We serve those in Lee and Charlotte counties in Florida, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and surrounding areas, as well as Sarasota County including North Port, Venice, and Sarasota.