Can Researching Polygraphs Affect My Lie Detector Test?
Many polygraph examinees are known to deploy a series of countermeasures in an attempt to beat lie detector tests.
Polygraph countermeasures are manipulative tactics commonly used to mask deception, although some examinees may also deploy them to emphasize truthful responses. The techniques can take on multiple forms, including physical, mental, and even pharmacological.
According to the American Polygraph Association (APA), there’s a lesser-known type of polygraph countermeasure called the information countermeasure. It involves individuals who know they’ll take a lie detector test researching polygraph techniques from the internet or other sources.
Some people research lie detector tests for valid reasons.
For instance, they simply want to understand what the procedure entails and what’s required of them.
However, the vast majority will go researching how to beat polygraph exams. And in most cases, the goal is to mask deception.
How Effective Is Information Countermeasure?
Polygraph technology has evolved tremendously over the years.
During the earlier days, many polygraph examinees successfully deployed countermeasures to pass lie detector tests. That includes felons like Gary Ridgway (or the Green River Killer), who aced polygraph tests and escaped justice long enough before DNA evidence later caught up with them.
Several earlier studies found that deploying physical and mental polygraph countermeasures was approximately 50% effective. However, these days are long behind us.
Today’s lie detector equipment is extremely difficult to manipulate with countermeasures. The equipment measures involuntary physiological reactions associated with lying, including respiration, skin conductivity, and heart rate.
Deviations from an examinee’s baselines are carefully analyzed to infer truthfulness or deception.
How Do Examiners Detect Information Countermeasures?
Polygraph examiners rely on various techniques to detect if an examinee is deploying countermeasures.
First, a professional examiner will subject an examinee to a series of pre-test questions. These queries are designed to establish the individual’s physiological baselines, which are then used for reference when profiling physiological reactions during the in-test phase.
The logic is that truthful people generally react consistently to similar questions, regardless of the number of times and the location where such questions are asked.
Examiners can also detect information countermeasures by asking relevant and control questions during the in-test phase.
Deceitful examinees will strive to temper their reactions to relevant questions. Therefore, a stronger response to relevant questions than control questions may indicate deception.
Finally, a polygrapher may directly ask the examinee if they used countermeasures during the test. This question can push a deceptive person over the edge and potentially blow their cover.
What If I’m Innocent But Only Afraid?
Polygraphs are inherently stressful experiences. Besides, the outcome can severely impact your life and reputation.
Assume that you’ve been wrongfully accused of a felony. You agree to a polygraph test to impeach the plaintiff’s circumstantial evidence. Because your life depends on the outcome, you go ahead and research tips on how to beat a lie detector test. The goal is to answer every question emphatically and refute the prosecution’s claims.
Unfortunately, your good intentions can prove detrimental if an examiner discovers that you used countermeasures.
What Happens If I’m Discovered?
Deploying countermeasures is counterproductive. Whether you’re innocent or not, there’s a decent chance that an experienced polygrapher will discover that you used these tactics.
If an examiner suspects that you’re deploying countermeasures, they’ll confront you about it straightaway.
And no, they don’t need to yell or threaten you with serious consequences. A simple question like “Did you use countermeasures during this exam?” is all they need.
Using countermeasures typically implies you have something to hide and are intentionally trying to conceal it. If detected, it could lead to automatic exam failure.
Another possible outcome would be to declare the test inconclusive. Still bad enough for your reputation.
Can I Research At All?
Most of the polygraph information you’re searching for is typically disclosed on the test day when all test phases take place.
For instance, an experienced polygrapher will recommend to you the right pre-polygraph nutrition.
Other essential pre-polygraph information pertains to your dress code, pharmaceutical usage, and overall health.
Besides these tangible aspects, there’s also psychological preparation.
An examiner will underscore the importance of answering polygraph questions honestly. That shouldn’t be a problem, as the questions are designed to elicit a flat ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ response.
Simply put, you can go ahead and research general lie detector facts. Just don’t go looking for tips on how to beat a polygraph test. But even if you do and end up deploying the countermeasures, an experienced polygrapher will discover you anyway.
Final Word
There’s nothing wrong with researching general information about polygraphs, even though an experienced polygrapher will fill you in on these requirements during the pre-test phase. However, researching how to beat a lie detector test is a futile endeavor.
As mentioned, part of the polygraph training entails equipping examiners with countermeasure detection skills. They simply have to compare your response to in-test questions against the pre-recorded physiological baselines to accurately infer deception.
Your best bet is to be truthful with each question, even if that means incriminating yourself or your loved ones.
Further Reading
