The demand for polygraph testing raises many questions about this procedure. Often, a lack of understanding of the specifics of the test awakens unreasonable fears in people and provokes stress, which can negatively affect the results. That is why it is worth studying the rules and features of the study in advance, so as not to worry in vain. The basis of the procedure is questions that are carefully thought out and built in a certain way.
Stages of a lie detector test
A polygraph test is a procedure that has been tested and developed over the years. That is why the stages of its implementation are always clearly defined. They include:
- Identifying the research objectives and preparing questions. For this, it is important to correctly organize work with the customer.
- Preparing the subject for the study. First of all, it is necessary to correctly explain to the client the features of the test, as well as the rules of conduct during the study (what not to do, how to answer questions, etc.).
- Connecting the equipment. The required sensors are connected to the subject, which will read the body’s physiological reactions to the questions. These include heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and sweating.
- Main procedure. At this stage, the subject is asked all the questions prepared in advance, and the equipment records the body’s reactions.
- Analysis of results. At the end of the test, the polygraph examiner conducts an expert assessment, determining the truthfulness or falsity of the answers.
Types of questions in a polygraph test
There are several types of questions that must be included in the study:
- Neutral questions. These are basic questions that do not cause stress, since they do not provoke an emotional response. They are necessary to adjust the equipment to a specific person. As a rule, these are obvious questions related to the personality or the surrounding reality. Examples include: “Is your name Sergey?”, “Is today Tuesday?”, “Were you born in winter?”. Such questions can also be used to identify attempts at resistance. They are sometimes used, alternating with other types of questions to contrast background reactions with significant ones.
- Control questions. These questions allow you to identify the basic level of physiological reactions. They may relate to general life situations, but do not relate to the specific purpose of the study. The questions will cause tension and show a general reaction to stress, which will help in the future to analyze the answers to significant questions. Examples of such questions: “Have you ever broken the law?”, “Have you deceived people?” Control questions can only vaguely hint at the topic of the test.
- Verification (key) questions. These are the main questions that are directly related to the situation and the purpose of the polygraph test. They cause the greatest stress and, accordingly, more pronounced physiological reactions. Depending on the specific purpose of the study, these may be questions: “Have you lied about your previous place of work?”, “Have you participated in a conspiracy?”, “Have you cheated on your spouse?” etc. These are significant questions that will later allow us to establish the truth based on a deep comparative analysis of a person’s reactions.
Peculiarities of composing questions
The formulation and order of questions for a polygraph examination are of key importance. It is a carefully thought-out structure of testing that allows achieving results of up to 99% accuracy. Thus, the questions must meet a number of criteria established by standards, namely:
- Simplicity and clarity of wording. They should be short and understandable for the subject. Thus, complex constructions or terms are completely absent here.
- Specific. Key questions should relate to specific events or actions, and should not be general or vague. It often makes sense to include a time frame to avoid errors.
- Unambiguity. The questions do not touch on several different topics at once, since it is difficult to determine what exactly a person is responding to. The absence of ambiguity is the main principle of polygraph questions. A person must give a specific answer to a specific question.
- Neutrality. The question should not be worded in an emotional way. Only calm, non-emotionally charged words are used.
- Clear sequence. Questions are always asked from neutral to key.
Of course, the questions must fully correspond to the testing goals set by the customer polygraph services will help you get all the answers you need and clarify any situation in the shortest possible time.