Hopes for an error
They are afraid of being exposed and hope that an error in the results will allow them to avoid detection.
About Testing
Can a polygraph (“lie detector”) make mistakes?
For everyone preparing for a polygraph test, the procedure can be stressful. However, people who are involved and those who are not involved perceive possible errors completely differently: the former hope for a device malfunction, while the latter fear being unfairly accused. Let’s examine whether the system can make mistakes and what the accuracy of the results actually depends on.
Fears a false accusation
For them, an error can have serious negative consequences — therefore, the question of polygraph accuracy is completely natural.
That is why the question “Can a lie detector make mistakes?” is relevant for both an involved and a non-involved person undergoing testing. The answer depends not only on the device itself but also on how the procedure is conducted.
Movie myths
Action movie heroes are shown as being able to perfectly control their heartbeat and breathing. In reality, attempts to hold your breath or change your heart rate create specific anomalies on the charts that a polygraph examiner detects immediately.
Internet advice
Online sources often recommend taking sedatives, coffee, or medication to “reduce” physiological reactions. However, modern polygraphs record the overall psychophysiological state of a person. If someone is under the influence of substances, this becomes noticeable during the pre-test interview, and the procedure is simply postponed.
Physical countermeasures
A popular trick is causing oneself pain (for example, stepping on a needle) to create a reaction during neutral questions. Today, polygraph chairs are equipped with countermeasure sensors (tremor sensors) that detect even the slightest muscle tension of the respondent.
01
Who Makes the Conclusion?
The device or the polygraph examiner?
The conclusions based on the results of a polygraph test are made not by the device, but by a professional polygraph examiner.
Polygraph — a device
It monitors physiological responses of the body during control questions, including breathing, pulse, sweating, and other indicators.
Polygraph examiner — an expert
The evaluation of results and the formulation of final conclusions are the sole responsibility of the specialist, not the device’s automation.
02
The Reason Behind Misunderstandings
Why do “errors” occur?
The main reason is that the person being tested may withhold information that causes anxiety, worry, or fear. This information may not be directly related to the test questions.
Example
A victim of a robbery
The question: “Have you ever participated in a robbery?” is likely to trigger stress reactions of an associative nature — bringing up traumatic memories, even though the person is not involved.
Problematic wording
«Have you ever participated in a robbery?»
Correct wording
«Have you ever committed a robbery?»
A polygraph examiner can adjust the wording only if the person being tested informs them about the anxiety-provoking information beforehand. Otherwise, a stress reaction may be interpreted as concealment of information — which can mislead the person who ordered the test.
03
How to Avoid Errors
Openness During the Interview
Discuss the topic that causes anxiety
This helps achieve psychological relief, reduce tension, and lower the level of anxiety.
Discuss each question
A qualified specialist carefully reviews every question and the topic as a whole with the person undergoing the test.
Agree on the wording
The final wording of the test questions is discussed and agreed upon together — before the polygraph recording begins.
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