Frequently Asked Questions
Do nerves affect the results of a polygraph test?
No. A polygraph records changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse strength, galvanic skin conductivity and reactivity (sweat gland activity), and changes in pneumographic patterns.
It is expected that all people who undergo a polygraph test will be nervous whether they intend to answer questions truthfully or not. As a result we calibrate the instrumentation to work off that heightened level of nervousness or anxiety. An examiner will look for action specific responses over and above the examinee's heightened level of nervousness or anxiety.
Typically an examinee remains nervous throughout the entire testing process not at one individual question. If nerves affected the result of a polygraph test then nobody would ever pass a test!
We first conduct a calibration test to demonstrate to the examinee that we can differentiate between a known truth and a known lie even before the test commences.