A Guide To Understanding The Use Of A Polygraph Test

If you have been asked to submit to a polygraph test as a condition of your employment or as the result of a court order, it is easy to get nervous about its use. Unfortunately, that is often due to a lack of understanding as to how the polygraph actually works and how it determines if the participant is being forthright with his or her answers. Therefore, before you sit down to take your first polygraph test, it is a good idea to be aware of the information shared below.

The Use Of Some Medications Can Impact Some Results

Since a polygraph test works by assessing the physical responses of your body as you answer specific questions, any drug that changes your normal response could give misleading results. For example, symptoms of both temporary and on-going anxiety include a fast pulse, increased respirations, and in some instances, dilated pupils. Polygraph tests use some of the same unconscious reactions to determine whether or not the subject is being truthful when giving responses to specific questions. If you are on anti-anxiety medication that prevents or minimizes those symptoms, your responses to the questions asked by the polygraph expert are likely to differ from those that would normally be provided. The same is true if you take medication to control high blood pressure.

That means that if you take any of the aforementioned medications, it is best to let the polygraph expert know in advance. It may be possible to change the parameters of your polygraph test after assessing your initial responses during the pre-screening for your polygraph test. Since the polygraph test assesses more than one type of response from your body during testing, it may still be able to provide accurate results.      

Polygraph Tests Are Not Always Conclusive

Another little know fact about polygraph tests is that they cannot always provide the yes or no answer that you might hope for. However, that does not mean that you are lying or that the person or entity requiring the test should be concerned. The possibility of an unsure response has led to its results not being court-admissible in many areas and has also resulted in its use being forbidden for non-governmental employment.    

False negative and positive results have been associated with the use of a polygraph test. You will usually be given the opportunity to explain any unclear results, as ambiguous responses have been known to negatively impact the interpretation of a lie detector test.

In conclusion, polygraph testing is an exacting science that many people are familiar with. However, there are often misconceptions about lie detectors, and if you have been asked to submit to one, it will behoove you to be aware of the facts shared above. To learn more, contact a company like W. H. POLYGRAPH SERVICES LLC.

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