Parallel to the growing popularity of polygraph tests in the world of private investigations, there have been several disagreements on the authenticity of the results. Time and time again, professional private investigators have proven to put these disagreements to rest. With the rising level of accuracy in detecting lies, polygraph tests have found their use in many sectors.
The Truth Behind The Polygraph Test
The polygraph does not necessarily tell the truth but it’s able to tell when an individual is lying. The test is based on the principle that the human physiology is altered when an individual lies or tries to hide something. These indices are recorded and are compared to those recorded under normal circumstances. An altered response suggests that the person has not been truthful.
Breaking The Test
Breaking the test is not that simple because of two things.
- The more the person tries to keep calm while telling a lie, in order to by pass the signs of stress, the greater chances for him to get caught on polygraph.
- Polygraph test questions and their eccentricity are daunting enough to intimidate anyone who plans to cheat.
- The level of professionalism of private investigators makes it way difficult to get past them.
Are The Test Results Ever Fallible?
There has been growing concerns about the accuracy of the polygraph machine. More of this doubt sterns from the fact that most humans are uncomfortable with the idea that a simple machine can discern something as intrinsic as a lie – something humans find difficult to naturally do. While it is possible to doubt the machine and ascribe it a level of limit, the entire process of lie detection testing has been more accurate with the growing number of professional private investigators.
Several measures have been put in place by these private investigators to ensure that the possibility to beat it is reduced to its barest minimum. A research of British Psychological Society suggests that polygraph tests give an accuracy of 85%. Backed with these well trained test conductors, this accuracy percentage increases.
When Test Results Come Back As False Positives
The reason behind false positive results is the stress felt by an individual during the test. The machine measures this stress as the one associated with lie. Blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate and skin conductivity are usually measured. While lying, the body gives a different range of indices. Since these parameters are not under voluntary control of an individual, it is really difficult to lie.
Technical issues with the polygraph machine can result when these indices are way off balance. When individuals are not well composed during the test, they tend to give off false response even when they tell the truth. A good private investigator knows too well to keep his client in a cool, calm state before proceeding with the process.