Who uses polygraph examinations?
What is a typical polygraph examination like and is there a
limit to the number of test questions?
Are
all your
polygraph
examiners
state licensed
and qualified?
How
much does
a polygraph
examination
cost?
How
quickly
can I schedule
an examination?
How
quickly
are results
available?
Are
the results
and information
confidential?
What
is the
minimum
age for
a polygraph
examination?
Are
polygraph results admissible in
court?
What
about Voice Stress
versus Polygraph?
What
is EPPA
(Employee
Polygraph
Protection
Act)?
Q. Who uses polygraph
examinations?
Three sectors of society use polygraph examinations for various
reasons and purposes.
Private
Sector
Individuals, Families, Therapists and Employers use polygraph
examinations to verify statements and find out the truth on
a variety of issues including infidelity, drug use, addictions,
sex offenses, employee theft, criminal activities, abuse and
all other matters.
Legal
Community
Law Firms and Attorneys use polygraph examinations in the pre-court
phase and in civil litigation to determine truth in a client's
case, verify a client's truthfulness relative to a plea negotiation,
to assist in general client control and verification of witness
statements. Law courts also mandate polygraph examinations
on a regular basis for post convicted sex offenders. In addition,
U.S. Attorney Offices, District Attorney Offices, Public Defender
Offices, Defense Attorneys and Parole & Probation Departments
all use polygraph examinations.
Law
Enforcement, Federal Agencies, Military and Government
Local Police, U.S. Military Branches and Government Agencies
such as the FBI, CIA, NSA and Department of Defense all use
polygraph examinations for applicant screenings, criminal investigations
and matters of national security.
Q. What is a
typical polygraph examination like and is there a limit to
the number of test questions?
Central Polygraph Services conducts polygraph examinations
according to nationally recognized standards and regulations. A
typical polygraph examination is divided into three segments.
The pre-test interview, the actual polygraph test and the
post-test data analysis and review.
On
average, there are approximately ten questions on a single
polygraph chart. These exact same ten questions on a polygraph
chart are repeated on between two to three separate polygraph
charts for the data analysis. Out of the ten questions on the
polygraph chart, a maximum of four
of the test questions are the pertinent and specific test
questions established by the client, with the remaining six
questions asked being generic in nature and established by the
examiner. (The limit of questions is due to nationally
recognized and approved polygraph testing standards and
formats). The four pertinent test questions may be established
ahead of time with our staff via e-mail consultation once an
appointment slot has been reserved and confirmed.
During the pre-test interview, the polygraph examiner completes
the required paperwork and provides an introduction and
explanation to the entire digital computerized polygraph system
instrumentation. During this period, the examiner reviews all of
the test questions in detail and familiarizes the examinee (the
person taking the polygraph test) with the testing
procedure and process.
During the actual polygraph test,
the examiner first conducts and records what is referred to as
an acquaintance chart to help
familiarize the examinee with the testing procedure and process.
Following the acquaintance chart, the polygraph examiner
conducts and records three separate polygraph charts with all of
the same ten questions repeated on each chart.
By law, during the actual polygraph test, only the examiner and
examinee are allowed in the testing room.
Following the
actual polygraph test, during the post-test data analysis and
review, the examiner analyzes the polygraph charts and all the
physiological data that was recorded and renders a report with
the examiner's opinion regarding the truthfulness of the
examinee.
Q. Are all
your polygraph examiners state licensed and qualified?
Yes, all our examiners have completed graduate level Forensic
Psychophysiology programs and are state licensed polygraph
examiners who receive many hours of continuing education on
an annual basis. In addition, all our examiners are full members
in good standing of the American Polygraph Association, the
American Association of Police Polygraphists and the Illinois
Polygraph Society.
Q. How much does
a polygraph examination cost?
The flat rate, all-inclusive polygraph test fee is $450.00 per
person/per test. Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover,
Bank Debit Cards and Cash are accepted for payment.
Cancellations received less than 48 hours prior the scheduled
appointment time incur a 50% cancellation fee. Cancellations
received less than 24 hours prior the scheduled appointment time
or no-shows incur a 100% cancellation fee. Please
contact Central Polygraph Service at 847-919-0027 for assistance
and information regarding your specific needs.
Q. How quickly
can I schedule an examination?
Depending on availability at our office locations, appointments for polygraph examinations can usually be accommodated with short notice. Please call 847-919-0027 or 1-877-765-9872 to schedule an examination or you may use our secure online scheduling system by clicking here.
Q. How quickly
are results available?
Results are provided verbally following the examination in
office. If requested, official embossed written presentation
reports of the examination results will be produced and sent via
USPS Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation in a tamper-proof
envelope with an average arrival time of between 2 to 3 days
following the examination. In certain cases, official reports
can be produced immediately following the examination and
provided to the client and or examinee.
Q. Are the results
and information confidential?
Central Polygraph Service adheres to very strict confidentiality
and privacy standards. All information from an examination
is kept strictly confidential and private. All information is
encrypted and stored at a secure off-site facility for maximum
security.
Q. What is the
minimum age for a polygraph examination?
13 years of age or older.
Q. Are polygraph
results admissible in court?
Polygraph results are admissible in some federal circuit courts and some states.
More often, polygraph results are admissible when the parties have agreed to
their admissibility under terms of a stipulation.
Q. What about
Voice Stress versus Polygraph?
The United States Department of Defense has stated based on extensive research
that the preponderance of scientific evidence clearly demonstrates the Polygraph
is far more accurate at detecting deception than is Voice Stress. No Department
of Defense Agency uses Voice Stress. The Virginia State legislature has disallowed
the use of Voice Stress. Polygraph is the only lie detection technique directly used
by Federal Government Agencies.
Q. What is EPPA?
On December 27, 1988, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act
(EPPA) became law. This federal law established guidelines
for polygraph testing and imposed certain types of restrictions
on most private companies and employers in regards to testing
their employees. This legislation only affects commercial
businesses. Local, State and Federal governmental agencies
(such as police departments) are not affected by the law,
nor are public agencies, such as a school system or correctional
institution. In addition, there are exemptions in EPPA for
some commercial businesses as follows:
- Companies under contract with the federal government
- Companies which manufacturer, distribute or dispense controlled
substances
- Armored Car or Alarm and Security Companies
- Nuclear or Electrical Power Plants
- Public Water Works
- Toxic Waste Disposal
All other commercial companies and businesses can request a current
employee to take a polygraph examination or suggest to such a
person that a polygraph examination be taken, only when specific
conditions have been satisfied. However, the employer cannot
require current employees to take an examination, and if an employee
refuses a request or suggestion, the employer cannot discipline
or discharge the employee based on the refusal to submit to the
examination. Central Polygraph Service Limited is furnishing
the following information, which it believes is in good faith,
and conforms with the Department of Labor's Regulations relating
to polygraph tests for employees. This information is considered
only as a guideline to assist in complying with the Act and Regulations,
and Central Polygraph Service Limited is disclaiming any liability
in connection therewith:
Checklist for Companies and Employers:
1. The incident
must be an ongoing, specific investigation.
2. It must be an identifiable economic loss to the employer.
3. Obtain a copy of the Employer Polygraph Protection Act of
1988.
4. Provide the employee with a written statement that includes:
a. identification of the company and location of employee
b. description of the loss or activity under investigation
c. location of the loss
d. specific amount of the loss
e. type of economic loss
f. how the employee had access to the loss
Note: access alone is not sufficient grounds for polygraph
testing
g. what kind of reasonable suspicion there is to suspect
the employee of being involved in the loss.
5. The Statement provided to employee MUST be signed by someone
other than the polygraph examiner, who is authorized to legally
bind the employee, and MUST be retained by the employer for
at least 3 years.
6. Read the Notice to Examinee to the employee, which should
be signed, timed, dated and witnessed.
7. Provide the employee with 48 hours advanced notice (not
counting weekends or holidays) to the date and time of the
scheduled polygraph test.
8. Provide employee with written notice of the date, time and
location of the polygraph test, including written directions
if the test is to be conducted at a location other than at
the place of employment.
9. Maintain a statement of adverse actions taken against the
employee following a polygraph test.
10. Conduct an additional interview of employee prior to any
adverse action following a polygraph test.
11. Maintain records of ALL of the above for a minimum of 3
years.
12. Employees may not waive their rights.
13. Use your company letterhead on all forms you provide to
the employee. Have your corporate attorney review your actions
to assure your compliance of EPPA.
Click here to download Central Polygraph Service's Employee
Polygraph Information Packet which includes instructions, printable forms and important information in PDF format.
If you prefer to have the packet faxed or mailed to you please contact our office at
847-919-0027 or 1-877-POLY-USA
