Step by Step Guide that helps you find and Select a Polygraph Examiner

Choosing the right Polygraph examiner is more important than you think. The examiner must be qualified enough to conduct the exam. You need to choose an examiner who is well-trained and practices scientifically researched techniques to ensure accurate and reliable examination results. You should also be aware of trusting examiners using unvalidated techniques or examiners who are untrained. Keep in mind that a properly conducted polygraph test could be 90-95% accurate. So based on your situation, you should be able to find the right examiner to conduct your test.

In this article, we are going to see a step-by-step procedure for selecting a polygraph examiner.

● Core training
● Experience of the Polygraph Examiner
● Professional History
● Recent update
● Examiner’s current education details
● Professional memberships
● Licensed qualifications
● Quality assurance
● Testing devices
● Countermeasures detection
● Recognized by the legal system
● BBB Rating
● Query limit
● Report documentation

Core Training

It is very important to verify the educational details of your polygraph examiner. The polygraph examiner should have graduated from an accredited polygraph training school. The American Polygraph Association is currently the accrediting organization, they ensure that the students of these schools meet the basic standard of instruction. Before you proceed make sure to verify the credentials of the examiner by getting in touch with the APA or the school.

Experience of the Polygraph Examiner

Polygraph examiners with the highest experience in the business and the highest total number of exams conducted will have the capability to handle any kind of situation and resolve any difficulty with complex tests.

Professional History

It is essential to find the right examiner to suit the type of test you are required to undergo. A Polygraph examiner may have many years of experience in the field, but the examiner may not be suitable for you if he hasn’t had enough experience in conducting tests that are suitable for your case.

Recent Update

If your Polygraph examiner hasn't been conducting tests frequently or not working on cases regularly you should move on and find another examiner who is actively conducting tests. The examiner's skills would be excellent and up to date if they have been practicing regularly.

Examiner’s current education details

The Polygraph examiner should not only be updated with the latest techniques and validated testing formats but also be updated with the types of equipment that keep evolving often. If the examiner is still using outdated methods even with their highest expertise in the field their results won’t be reliable.

Professional Memberships:

American Polygraph Association (APA), American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP), National Polygraph Association (NPA), and the Global Polygraph Network (GPN) are a few of the credible national organizations. If the polygraph examiner you are hiring does not belong to at least two of these mentioned organizations, please don't hire them.

When you hire a polygraph examiner from a professional organization, they will meet all the necessary standard requirements such as having a good professional background, being licensed, and being certified. Some polygraph organizations offer various educational sources to help their members evolve and to stay updated.

Licensed Qualifications

Most states in the U.S. require polygraph examiners to have a license but if you are in one of those states where the license is not required the examiner cannot have a license in such cases, so you do not have to worry about it. But in such cases, it is important to consider the examiner belonging to a professional organization. License only means you are hiring a qualified examiner but does not prove that the quality nor the experience of the examiner is amazing.

Quality Assurance

If you wish to have a second opinion your polygraph examiner should allow it. If your examiner is not willing to allow their work product for QC review, then please avoid working with them. After you have reviewed their work proceed further if it suits you.

Testing Devices

Your polygraph examiner is required to use fully operational computerized (digital) equipment. If their equipment is not functioning properly or poorly maintained the test results won't be reliable.

Countermeasures Detection

Various sources are available all over the internet about ‘how to beat the polygraph’ in such cases if you are using any such techniques a well-qualified examiner will be trained in such areas to be able to identify those techniques.

With the help of CM detection pads, which are now mandatorily being used during all the tests, the examiners will be able to identify if the individual is trying to affect the outcome of their polygraph results or not.

Recognized by the legal system

If you want your test result to be submitted as evidence, then it is suggested that you hire someone who has experience in testifying in court or an examiner-approved to present the evidence. If they do not have the experience, it does not mean they are less qualified.

BBB Rating:

Before you work with any polygraph examiner you must do a background check before proceeding further. A Google search is enough to help you understand the credibility/reputation of the organization. Check the BBB rating online before hiring them.

Query Limit:

Single question test is considered more accurate. The more questions asked the less accurate the test turns out to be. Most examiners will allow 3-4 questions on a general topic, but if you are being asked 10 questions or more then it is a screening test and not a polygraph examination.

Report Documentation

The exam’s purpose, relevancy of the questions, answers given, and truthfulness while answering the questions are a few of the things that should be covered in the written test result. If your examiner doesn’t provide you with a written test result then consider hiring another examiner.

Conclusion:

Polygraph tests are becoming more and more popular these days due to being one of the most accurate forms of lie detector testing. It is important to know all these factors before you start working with a polygraph examiner.