A lie detector is a modern tool that allows you to accurately detect the truth in a variety of situations. The polygraph is effective in situations with conflicts between relatives, for business, investigations, employment and in many other cases. However, sometimes it happens that a person cannot successfully pass the polygraph, although he claims to be telling the truth. Is such a situation possible, and why does it happen?
Principles of polygraph work
Polygraph is a specialized equipment that allows to determine the truthfulness or falsity of statements based on a scientific approach. The latter is realized by recording a person’s physiological reactions, which include heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing rate and sweating.
As a rule, a person experiences a certain amount of stress when he or she tells an untruth. This leads to a change in physiological indicators, which makes it possible to determine the lie. At the same time, each person’s organism has its own peculiarities, in connection with which the polygraph is carefully adjusted in preparation for the test. At the end of the test, the data are analyzed by a polygraph examiner, who issues a conclusion on the results of the study.
Thanks to this approach, the reliability, objectivity and high accuracy of lie detector test results, which reaches 95-99%, are achieved.
Causes of “wrong”” reactions in the body
Despite the lack of subjectivity and scientific justification of polygraph examinations, there are cases when the human body produces reactions that are not due to the falsity of statements. This is due to the individual peculiarities of each person and their perception.
Let’s look at a few reasons why a polygraph can be “failed” even when answering questions as truthfully as possible:
- Increased level of anxiety. Some people experience anxiety almost constantly, which leads to an increase in stress levels and when passing a lie detector. Strictly speaking, such a study causes anxiety even in a calm person, because often the results are very important and can affect further employment, the course of the investigation and other situations. All this, as well as the feeling of pressure from the examiners leads to the fact that physiological indicators “jump”, creating reactions similar to lying.
- Peculiarities of the human nervous system. There is a category of people for whom stress and pressure are most palpable due to increased excitability of the nervous system. As a result, the resulting reactions may be far from the standards.
- Physical condition at the time of testing. Many factors can affect physiologic readings, including fatigue or lack of sleep, certain medical conditions, medications, alcohol or other substances. As a result, the test data may be skewed.
- Negative experience. A lie detector is not a new technology, so some people have already experienced such an examination. In this case, if the previous experience of passing was a failure or caused any negative consequences, the test subject may have a panic state. As a result, it will be impossible to interpret the reactions correctly and the study will fail.
Other reasons for polygraph failure
It is not only the state and perception of a person that affects the results of polygraph testing. Of great importance is the approach and experience of the polygraph examiner who conducts the test, as well as the behavior of the person himself. Failure of the test can result in:
- Inappropriately worded questions. If the questions are not clear enough or elicit a negative emotional response, this may affect the individual’s reactions. It is important that the questions are drafted and agreed with the client, and that they comply with the requirements of the polygraph examination.
- Failure to follow the rules of testing. During the test it is important to answer the questions clearly, not to talk or try to talk to the examiner. In such a case, the polygraph examiner may recognize the test as failed or even sabotaged.
- Improper calibration of the equipment. Before each test, the polygraph is adjusted to the characteristics and reactions of the test subject. In case of improper calibration or setting incorrect parameters, the data will be distorted.
- Lack of experience of the specialist. Polygraph results require skilled analysis. An inexperienced specialist may misinterpret the results, resulting in failure.
- Improper behavior of a polygraph examiner. It happens that the experts conducting the examination put pressure on the test subject. This affects stress levels and physiological indicators, which leads to incorrect results.
To successfully pass a polygraph, it is important to undergo the examination in a normal, calm state, and also contact qualified specialists. Lie detector test relatives, spouses, employees, witnesses and other people, you can get accurate results from Polygraph Detector Service.