{"id":2589,"date":"2023-09-07T01:02:20","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T08:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/truthorlie.com\/?p=2589"},"modified":"2023-09-07T01:02:20","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T08:02:20","slug":"what-can-mess-up-polygraph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/truthorlie.com\/what-can-mess-up-polygraph\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things That Can Mess Up a Polygraph Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Proponents say that a polygraph is up to 90% accurate. The other 10%? It could be due to things that can contaminate a lie detector test, some of which are by the polygraph examinee, while others are by the polygrapher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 5 things that can mess up a polygraph, and they are the following: medical conditions, medications, countermeasures, bad polygraph examiners and an unsuitable testing environment. A contaminated test can result in either a false positive or a false negative polygraph. At times, it may end up in an inconclusive result, too.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retaking the lie detector test is always a possibility. However, it can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety on the subject as well as additional costs for the people who require its administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we will talk about 5 of the things that can affect the results of polygraphs. Knowing them can help ward off avoidable polygraphy-related issues if you are about to take an exam soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Medical Conditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Serious problems that have something to do with the heart, such as hypertension or hypotension or a recent heart attack or stroke, can contaminate a polygraph test. Just about any physiological issue that can affect blood pressure and heart rate can have an impact on the examination’s result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conditions affecting the autonomic nervous system, which is tasked with regulating an assortment of involuntary physiologic processes, including those that are monitored during a lie detector test such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory activity and sweating, can also mess up the exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same is true for some psychological issues such as anxiety and depression<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the pre-test phase, it’s of utmost importance for the polygraph examiner to determine whether or not the subject suffers from a medical condition that can impact the result. The presence of any, in most instances, calls for the cancellation of the examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women, whose vitals are more likely to be elevated as well as at risk of having complications, are not allowed to take a lie detector test except if they have a written consent from their respected doctors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: Medical Conditions That Affect a Polygraph<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Drugs and Medications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"prescription<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Besides certain medical conditions themselves, some drugs and medications for treating or managing them can also have an impact on the result of a polygraph examination. It’s for the fact that their formulations can affect some physiological processes, either directly or as an unwanted side effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that is why the subject of a lie detector test should disclose to the polygraph examiner during the pre-test phase not only any medical condition of his or hers but also anything that he or she is taking for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medications for hypertension or high blood pressure, for instance, usually lower both blood pressure and heart rate. If their active ingredients are still present in the system of polygraph examinees, their readings when in a relaxed state and stressed state may not vary that much, which can easily lead to an error or inconclusive result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also: 20 Prescription Drugs That Affect a Lie Detector Test<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Polygraph Subject Countermeasures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, countermeasures are things an examiner deliberately does in order to beat the polygraph test. They can either be premeditated or spontaneous. Either way, if implemented successfully, countermeasures can result in an inconclusive finding or an error such as a false negative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following are some of the most popular countermeasures done by subjects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n