POLYGRAPH USES AND INFORMATION:

When you need to know the truth and need to prove the truth!

“ To tell the truth ” and to “ prove a person is telling the truth” have been two of the most pressing fundamental issues in human existence. We have been interested for centuries in the ability to verify truth. Technically, it could be argued that the question could go back to Adam and Eve.

Early primitive cultures attempted to determine if a subject was telling the truth by using what was best described as “trials by ordeal”, physical tasks involving exposure to fire and water and pain. The presumption was that the innocent would be protected and would not suffer harm. (The code of Hammurabi, 2100 BC directed a person accused of sorcery for example, be thrown in the “sacred river”. If the subject drowned he was proclaimed guilty – the gods punished him.)

As centuries passed, intelligence evolved and technology flourished. Many fantastic wonders came forward to enhance everything in our lives from the field of medicine to science and psychology, communication to electronic achievements, air travel to aerospace technology. Forensic science brought forth the modern day polygraph instrumentation and techniques emerged which could apply scientific methods to record and measure “human physiological responses”. It is a demonstrable fact that these recordings of physiological changes serve as a basis for reliable diagnoses of truth or deception.

It is an important to note that all examinations conducted at Mindsight Consultants utilize exclusively what is considered to be “State-of-the-Art” testing equipment – The Lafayette Computerized LX-4000, the most advanced scientific polygraph equipment in the field today, fully equipped with the most up-to-date advances.

Most are surprised to hear the polygraph IS NOT as much A LIE DETECTOR as it is a TRUTH VRIFICATION INSTRUMENT. The polygraph itself cannot THINK or JUDGE, but it is completely accurate in recording psychophysiological responses that are produced by the subject being tested. The skill comes into play with the analysis of the recorded reactions. Authorities in the field uniformly emphasize the importance of the qualifications of the examiner as being the single most important factor in polygraph. His or her competency in interpreting charts is more important than the function of the polygraph instrument. He or she applies a diagnostic procedure rather than just merely acting as a technician as in a drug analysis or a firearms ballistics' test.

HOW DOES THE POLYGRAPH WORK?

Most everyone has some idea how the polygraph works, but unfortunately, most conceptions are wrong. A good part of all this misconception comes from movies, television, and the Internet. During the examination, simple attachments are placed on the subject being examined that record the reactions of the sympathetic division of the system of nerves throughout the body known as the autonomic nervous system. (This has nothing to do with being nervous. This is the system of nerves within the human body.) The division known as the sympathetic division influences the body to respond automatically to any kind of emergency received by the senses and without the concurrence of the will. Basically, the explanation on how the polygraph works could be answered simply, “It works because, we can't help it, its how we are built as human beings.” Behavioral researchers believe that this phenomenon is a carry over from the early caveman days.

Simply put, when someone is asked a question to which the truth has a degree of consequences to the subject being examined, the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated and causes physiological changes that can be recorded, measured and analyzed.

In the early 1960's, scientists and researchers reported that the most accepted of the concepts to explain the psychophysiological bases of polygraphy related to fear of consequences, fear of discovery or fear of exposure. It is of interest that the reactions could also be seen in laboratory research using volunteer college students with little or nothing to lose if their lies are detected. It was also hypothesized that there might be individuals who could avoid trouble by lying or if lying was an everyday activity. Psychopaths, for example, have little or no conscience and have absolutely no moral problem with deceiving others. In fact, it is believed that psychopaths did not learn to be hones but rather to lie quite effectively. In spite of that, there is evidence that demonstrates that psychopaths are amenable to polygraph testing.

Technically, the polygraph instrument is a scientific device that produces recordings of physiological phenomena, such as breathing, epidermal (skin) resistance and cardiac activity. The tracing of this psychophysiological activity is used as the basis for the application of a reliable technique for diagnosing truth or deception.

HOWARE POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS USED TODAY?

Today's polygraph is used for many, many reasons. Originally, polygraph examinations were conducted solely by law enforcement agencies to help solve crimes by verifying who is telling the truth and to determine deception in order to help identify the guilty. Modern polygraphs continue to protect the public in regard to criminal and civil matters, but its use has expanded far beyond its original mission. Here are just some of the areas where the use of polygraph proven to be a valuable tool:

FIRST

Anyone can take a polygraph examination for their own use or concern to help resolve a “truth verification” issue. This could be either a public reason, such as a criminal or civil matter, or personal private matter including family disputes.

SECOND

“Clinical Polygraph Monitoring” Mindsight Consultants has been actively involved in this most important application in the field of sex offender treatment and court supervision monitoring programs since the early 90's. Therapists and treatment centers that deal with convicted offenders have found Clinical Polygraph Examinations to be a valuable treatment tool in their programs. Breaking through denial is particularly effective through the use of such examinations. The ultimate goal in such programs is to first, protect the public, and secondly, the offender obtains meaningful treatment while assuring that no re-offense of criminal misconduct goes undetected during those periods of treatment and court supervision.

THIRD

Defense attorneys often recommend their clients take a private polygraph examination at Mindsight Consultants for both criminal and civil issues. This gives the attorney reliable, invaluable and often CONFIDENTIAL information regarding their client in relationship to those issues that are in question.

FOURTH

Law enforcement communities utilize the polygraph in connection with investigations. Such agencies have found that by using the polygraph, investigators can quickly reduce the number of suspects involved in a case. Polygraph examinations aid investigations in resolving crimes in numerous ways including verifying statements from suspects and witnesses. It has become an invaluable aid to help in the police applicant screening process.

FIFTH

All Federal Government Agencies from the FBI, DEA, and CIA to Military Intelligence agencies, Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal service inspectors and the United States Department of Defense use polygraph exclusively on a daily basis. It has been an invaluable aid in the investigation of terrorist's activities.

SIXTH

Employers use polygraph examinations with employees to answer issues concerning economic loss to their organization. It's a sad commentary, but theft occurs in virtually every kind of workplace in the country. The perpetrator could be a sales clerk in a retail store, pocketing merchandise or money, a nurse taking linens or drugs, an engineer taking home component parts to build a computer, a dock worker, construction worker, bank teller, trucker, etc. No institution, private or government agency is spared. The U.S. Chamber of commerce reports that three out of every ten business fall every areas a result of internal theft. It's difficult to determine the cost of such theft nationwide, but the chamber estimates the cost of Internal Theft at around $50 billion a year, and climbing.

As a result of the enactment of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA), strict guidelines must be followed. For suspected thefts, see the requirements of the EPPA act of 1988 – click the link below.

EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT (EPPA)

Home · Links · Contact Us

Mindsight Consultants · Email: polygraphpro@mindsightconsultants.com

1912 E. US Highway 20, Suite 202 · Michigan City, Indiana 46360-7597 · PHONE: 219-873-9134 · FAX: 219-874-0122