FAQ 1
What issues are suitable for the polygraph techniques?
The issue to be resolved must be clear and unambiguous. Your examiner will discuss your issue with you when you make an appointment.
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FAQ 2
How do I make an appointment?
When you contact Ontario Polygraph Consulting, an appointment will be made for a date and time that’s convenient to you. You can expect an examination to take three hours. Click here to make an appointment.
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FAQ 3
Can I be forced to take an examination?
You cannot be forced to take an examination because your co-operation is required. You will be asked to sign a Consent to take your examination. The Consent explains in detail your rights with respect to the examination.
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FAQ 4
How accurate is a polygraph examination?
There have been many studies done over the years in relation to accuracy. There are a number of studies you can view on the American Polygraph Association web site. Polygraph examiners cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. If your examiner is not completely satisfied with your examination he will schedule another appointment for a re-test. It is widely acknowledged that a polygraph examination is the most accurate discriminator between truth and deception.
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FAQ 5
Can I beat the polygraph examination?
There are many myths about this possibility. Your examiner has many years of experience and is able to detect those who are attempting to defeat a test. If it is your intention to try to defeat your polygraph examination do not take the test.
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FAQ 6
Will my nervousness affect the polygraph examination?
Your examiner knows and expects that you will be feeling nervous tension. All questions will be discussed and developed with your participation. There will be no questions asked during your polygraph examination that have not been discussed with you in advance. The questions will be reviewed with you in advance of the examination itself and will be asked a minimum of three times.
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FAQ 7
What can I do to prepare for my polygraph examination?
There is nothing you have to do other than to arrive at the agreed location on time, after having a good nights sleep and free from the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are taking prescribed medication you should take them as prescribed and tell your examiner what you have taken.
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FAQ 8
Should I have a lawyer present?
If you are suspected of or charged with a criminal allegation it is your decision whether you should seek advice from a lawyer. Any polygraph examination that has been arranged by your lawyer is normally protected by the “lawyer/client privilege”. It is between you and your lawyer who is told about it.
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FAQ 9
Can the results of a polygraph examination be used in court?
Not in Canadian courts, however, polygraph examinations have often been considered and given weight in pre-trial discussions in criminal, family and civil proceedings.
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FAQ 10
What does a polygraph examination consist of?
A professional polygraph examination consists of three phases. They are the pre-test phase, the in-test phase and the post-test phase.
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Pre-test Phase
Your examiner will complete the required documentation, ensure that there is nothing preventing you from undergoing polygraph testing, explain to you how the polygraph instrument functions, what creates physiological responses when a person attempts deception, discuss your test questions with you and answer any questions that you have.
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In-test Phase
Your examiner will attach the sensors to you, conduct a short test that will familiarize you with what it feels like to take a polygraph examination, ask you the questions that he has reviewed with you during the Pre-test Phase and gather your physiological data.
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Post-test Phase
Your examiner will analyze the physiological data that he has collected during the In-test Phase according to fully researched and widely used principles in the field of polygraph and render his opinion. When it is appropriate to do so your examiner will give you an opportunity to explain your physiological responses to any of the questions that you were asked.
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FAQ 11
Why are polygraph examinations used?
Polygraph is most widely used to protect the public and individuals by verifying the truth and determining deception. Polygraph examinations are most commonly used in criminal and civil matters, government and police pre-employment screening, theft investigations, allegations of sexual assault, allegations of sexual harassment and in the United States to monitor the activities of convicted sex offenders who are being supervised while on parole.
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FAQ 12
Who uses polygraph testing?
Polygraph examinations are used by Federal, Provincial and Municipal police services, the Department of National Defence, Canada’s intelligence agencies, defence attorneys, private investigators and private citizens.
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FAQ 13
How do I know if a polygraph examiner is qualified?
The most effective way to make sure that a polygraph examiner is qualified is to ask if he or she is a member of a professional polygraph association. The most prominent associations in North America are the Canadian Association of Police Polygraphists, the American Polygraph Association and the American Association of Police Polygraphists. It is necessary for professional polygraph examiners to have extensive training at a polygraph training school that is recognized by one or more of these associations. It is also necessary for professional polygraph examiners to continue to educate themselves in relation to the latest methods, research, technology and standards of ethical practices. These three associations govern the conduct of their members by requiring adherence to a Declaration of Principles, a Code of Ethics and a Standard of Practice.
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FAQ 14
Why do some polygraph examinations produce inconclusive results?
When there are inconclusive results this simply means that insufficient physiological data was available to render a conclusive result that the examinee was telling the truth or attempting deception. When this occurs usually a re-examination is conducted. The fact that a person’s polygraph examination produced inconclusive results protects the person from being wrongly identified as attempting deception. Critics of polygraph often classify inconclusive results as errors and this is an incorrect classification.
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FAQ 15
Can someone fail a polygraph examination because they have high blood pressure or are nervous?
While a person’s heart rate and blood pressure may increase when they are nervous, a professional and experienced polygraph examiner understands this and will take it into consideration when evaluating the person’s physiological responses. A person’s physiological reactions when attempting deception are highly specific and are unlike general nervousness.
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FAQ 16
I still have other questions that I would like to ask…
Feel free to call Ontario Polygraph Consulting and discuss any questions that remain unanswered. For contact information click here.