Polygraph tests are scientific tests that monitor information and physiological responses to questions to determine if the person is deceptive. Such testing has existed for decades, and professionals have used it in criminal cases, in the workplace, and in other private situations. The polygraph examiners of Oklahoma uphold every professional standard in order to ensure accurate and ethical polygraph results. Before booking a polygraph test in Oklahoma, people should understand how the test works, what information examiners record, and how courts view the results. In this blog, we’ll work through the steps involved in a polygraph examination, discuss potential accuracy issues, and provide insight into the practical applications of polygraph results in the real world as employed by licensed examiners and private investigators.
What is the Polygraph Test and how does it work?
A polygraph test is a measure of several physiological responses of an individual answering a series of questions. Many writings are the origin of the word “polygraph” since the machine measures multiple bodily functions simultaneously.
In the test, the subject has sensors on their body that gauge four main elements: breathing, cardiovascular activity, skin conductivity, and blood pressure. Examiners measure these functions for differences when a subject lies, which signals the brain’s stress response. The polygraph machine records those changes in real time, giving the examiner a visual record for analysis.
In Oklahoma City, licensed polygraph examiners carefully study these patterns. They take comparisons of responses to control questions (those with known answers) to responses to relevant questions related to the matter of investigation. Whether the difference in the physiological reaction to both types of questions is the basis on which the examiner will conclude.
The actual examination period will be 90 minutes to three hours. The examiner spends much of that time conducting a pre-test interview, where they describe the process, review the questions with the individual, and take an initial reading. The question and answer part takes about 30-45 minutes.
Who runs Polygraph Tests in Oklahoma?
Not all people are qualified to administer a polygraph test in Oklahoma. The state must have an Oklahoma Polygraph Examiners Act (OPEA) exam license. Applicants need to fulfill an approved training program to become a polygraph examiner, pass a written examination, and meet the requirements of continuing education in order to renew their license every year.
Oklahoma City polygraph exam professionals will typically be found cooperating with private investigators, attorneys, and law enforcement agencies. Attorneys and agencies call upon a licensed polygraph examiner to perform an examination when a private investigator in OKC handles a case involving suspected deception, whether a child custody dispute, an employee theft investigation, or an infidelity case.
The difference between a private investigator and a polygraph examiner is important. An Oklahoma City private detective uses surveillance, background checks, and skip tracing to collect evidence. The physiological interview that is the result of the polygraph examination is verifiable and documented. They may share the same ball field, and for better results, work together on the same case.
Selecting competent examiners ensures the security of results. Do not agree to any polygraph test in Oklahoma until you have verified his/her licensure. There is no hesitation by a credentialed examiner to give you that information.
What does happen before the Polygraph Test?
How much you prepare is as important as the examination. First, the examiner conducts a pre-test interview with the subject before attaching the sensors and asking any questions.
During this interview, the examiner informs you about every question they will ask during the actual exam. During a well-administered polygraph test, no question comes as a surprise. Such transparency isn’t a loophole, however — it’s a professional standard that ensures the accuracy of the results. Unexpectedly asked questions elicit physiology that is unreliable.
The examiner gathers some background information during the pre-test phase. Physiological readings can vary according to medical history, current medications, recent state of sleep, and emotional state. Some diseases (heart disease, respiratory illness, anxiety disorders, or others) may affect the results and should be reported.
Polygraph Examiners are often used in the gathering of background information on a subject by Private Investigators in Norman, Oklahoma. The previous interview (pre-test) provides the examiner with a comprehensive picture of the subject’s baseline, so that the comparison will have more meaning.
Subjects should be rested, caffeine avoided for several hours prior to, and comfortable clothing worn. These mini-moves lead to a cleaner “base” physiology with which the examiner can work.
What are the questions a Polygraph Examiner asks?
There are three types of questions in an Oklahoma polygraph test: irrelevant, control, and relevant questions.
A calm baseline is set when irrelevant questions are asked. They include simple, neutral information – for instance, the name of the subject or where he lives. These questions do not elicit much physiological response and serve as a measure point.
The idea behind the control questions is that they should evoke a stress reaction in even the most honest of individuals. They usually include some past responses that most feel some guilt about, for example, “Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours? An honest respondent, when asked a pertinent question about a certain event, will have a smaller physiological response to a pertinent question than to a control question. The trickster will exhibit the reverse tendency.
Relevant questions are related to the point of inquiry. An Edmond, Oklahoma, polygraph examiner will be asking yes/no questions during an exam on employee theft, such as: Do you know anything about the missing money? Did you access the accounts? etc.
The examiner reads the question carefully and slowly. In response to the entire series of questions, the examiner usually returns to questions 2-3 times to make sure the pattern of responses is confirmed.
The Polygraph Test: How Accurate is it?
Most people want to know the answer as to whether it is accurate or not. Research published by the American Polygraph Association shows that when administered by a trained and licensed examiner and as a scientifically and academically recognized technique, polygraph tests have 80-90 percent accuracy.
This is a real range, depending on examiners’ ability, technique, and physical & mental conditions of the subject. The polygraph test is never 100 percent accurate—and an examiner who does is not telling the truth. Credible Examiners give their results professionally as an opinion, which they derive from physiological data and not as proof.
There are several factors that decrease the accuracy. Abnormal physiological patterns on the graph may show up in subjects with some neurological conditions and be difficult to interpret. The machine may be less effective in subjects who are on a specific medication, such as sedatives or beta-blockers. Sometimes subjects engaged in controlled breathing techniques can interfere with their respiratory reading.
OKC private investigators and Oklahoma City polygraph examiners are aware of these limitations. They only consider a polygraph result as one of many investigative clues, and do not consider it to be an overall verdict. The information gained from the polygraph, when coupled with surveillance records, background check results, and documented evidence, results in a much more sound conclusion.
Can Polygraph Test Results be Used in Oklahoma Courts?
Oklahoma has an intricate legal criterion for polygraph admissibility. In Oklahoma, the results of a polygraph test will not be admitted into evidence in a criminal trial without the consent of the prosecutor and defense. This is in line with how many US States have dealt with this issue after the landmark case of Frye v. United States.
However, outside of the courtroom, polygraph results are important. The Oklahoma City police department uses a polygraph test for criminal investigations to narrow down their investigations to likely offenders. They are used by defense lawyers to evaluate their client’s credibility in the lead-up to a trial. They are sometimes employed by prosecutors to screen witnesses.
In civil cases, sometimes parties agree to the admissibility of poly results in advance and by mutual agreement. When parties put these agreements on paper, a process server in Oklahoma can serve papers pertinent to them.
Private investigators in Edmond, OK, also utilize the outcome of a polygraph to show them the direction of an investigation. If the polygraph results indicate that an individual is lying, the private investigator knows which records to check and which witnesses to find by skip tracing in order to conduct surveillance. The exam further focuses the investigation, but is not final evidence.
The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 allows polygraph testing by Oklahoma employers under certain limited circumstances. Some employers, such as security companies, pharmaceutical companies, and companies looking into economic losses, may ask employees or prospective employees to undergo a polygraph test under the law. This is a Federal law with severe penalties for violations.
Why Have a Polygraph Test in Oklahoma?
The reasons for taking a polygraph test in Oklahoma are myriad, but are generally based on some sort of breach of trust or relationship in personal or professional life.
One of the most prevalent private requests is for an infidelity investigation. A spouse or partner who suspects a deception can ask a private investigator in Norman, OK, to obtain proof, and then have the polygraph exam to obtain a direct answer. The exam is not a substitute for evidence – it helps support evidence.
Another massive need arising from child custody cases is the need for child custody services. A polygraph examination provides the court and the attorneys of the parties a valid and believable physiological benchmark when one parent makes allegations against the other parent, and documentary evidence is minimal. An Oklahoma City private detective involved in a custody case can be responsible for arranging the examination as part of a comprehensive confidential investigation.
Polygraph services are also consistently in demand in OKC, and a stable demand is present in the surrounding area, including Norman, Edmond, and the OKC metro area, in pre-employment screening in sensitive industries, in the post-convictions monitoring of sex offenders under supervision, and in internal corporate investigations involving asset searches or employee misconduct.
In addition, the voluntary tests are sought out by individuals who want to clear their name. If someone is accused of theft, abuse, or other wrongdoing, they can agree to a polygraph test in Oklahoma in order to prove their innocence and aid their defense.
How does a Private Investigator in Oklahoma City go about utilizing Polygraph Examiners?
An Oklahoma City private investigator is like a licensed polygraph examiner in that they are working towards the same objective – the truth, and by lawful, ethical means.
The typical private investigator in OKC will first establish the factual foundation, such as getting a background check, surveillance, skip tracing witnesses, or getting court documents via a process server in Oklahoma City. After that initial work is done, the investigator can refer the client to the polygraph examiner for direct questions that require a physiological answer, as to whether or not the subject is lying.
The investigator follows up on the examiner’s results after an exam. If the answer to a question of relevance regarding an asset search is deceptive, for instance, it directs an investigator’s attention to the need for more in-depth financial investigation.
This is a coordinated effort, and it has a more effective impact on the investigation as well as the polygraph examination. Local investigators know that no single tool will give them the whole picture, but the right combination of tools will make the picture abundantly clear, and that’s in the Oklahoma City area.
What Do You Do During a Polygraph Examination?
At the end of the exam, the examiner will give a written report which will summarise the findings. This report records the physiological data, the examiner’s interpretation of the data, and the result (usually “No Deception Indicated”, “Deception Indicated,” or “Inconclusive”).
A “no response” does not necessarily indicate a “no” from the person answering the question. This indicates that the data did not form a clear pattern to close the examination for the examiner. In these cases, the examiner may recommend a repeat examination with a new baseline.
If you receive a deceptive result and believe it is incorrect, seek a second opinion from a different licensed examiner. All Oklahoma City polygraph exam professionals must be ready to defend their results and explain how they reached them.
Clients who have taken a polygraph test in Edmond, Oklahoma, with a private investigator should provide their attorney with a written report if there are legal implications. Even if courts cannot admit it as evidence, the examiner’s documentation can shape how the attorney approaches the case.
Polygraph Test Oklahoma FAQ’s
Is it possible to pass or fail a polygraph test due to being nervous?
A deceptive result caused by nervousness alone is not a cause. All candidates experience some anxiety during a polygraph examination, and the trained examiner addresses this baseline anxiety through the pre-test calibration procedure. Lie response occurs not because of general psych anxiety but because of differences between the CQ responses and RQ responses.
How long does the polygraph test take in Oklahoma?
The entire polygraph examination (including the pre-test interview, time for the actual test, and discussion of the results with the examiner) generally takes between 90 minutes and 3 hours.
Is it possible for a private investigator in OKC to administer a polygraph?
No. In Oklahoma, only a licensed polygraph examiner has the authority to perform a polygraph examination; however, an OKC private investigator can collect evidence, perform surveillance, and coordinate with polygraph examiners.
Collaborate with Experienced Polygraph Examiners and Private Investigators.
The knowledge of what to expect from a polygraph test in Oklahoma can alleviate a lot of the uncertainty associated with it. These examinations are consistent, professionally conducted, and are best managed when they are a component of a coordinated investigation conducted by experienced professionals. When used with surveillance, background checks, due diligence research, and other investigative techniques, polygraph testing is a valuable tool if the accuracy hits 80–90 percent.
No matter what you are dealing with, be it a personal issue, litigation, or an employment case, our team at OJPS Legal is here to assist you. Professional and confidential investigative services are provided to our clients in the Oklahoma City, OKC, Edmond, Norman, and surrounding communities.
Give us a call today at (405) 400-0006 or contact us via email at vivien@ojpslegal.com to schedule a consultation and learn how a polygraph examination and/or private investigation can aid in your quest for the truth.
