Polygraph Accuracy
Unfortunately, it is way too easy to pick one study on polygraph and lie detection and use it as an attempt to prove that a polygraph exam is either close to infallible or completely useless.
The Truth About Polygraph Studies
The truth is: studies vary dramatically when it comes to polygraph accuracy. Why? One group from the Office of Technology Assessment, a government agency that performed a review of existing research studies back in 1983, had this to say as part of their conclusion:
“A major reason why scientific debate over polygraph validity yields conflicting conclusions is that the validity of such a complex procedure is very difficult to assess and may vary widely from one application to another. The accuracy obtained in one situation or research study may not generalize to different situations or to different types of persons being tested. Scientifically acceptable research on polygraph and lie detection testing is hard to design and conduct.”
Because standardization of research for polygraph accuracy—even in 2025—is admittedly difficult, any percentage is open to debate because the how, who, what, and why of any polygraph study doesn’t necessarily apply to all testing situations.
No one can claim 100% accuracy, but my exam results come about as close as they get.
Call Andrew Goldstein, The Polygraph Examiner, for information about local lie detection testing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia at (800) 497-9305.
Question? Email Us or Call (800) 497-9305. Due to complexity to different situations I do not quote price by email. Please call for pricing.
The Different Approaches to Polygraph Research
Here are some of the different approaches that make this a particularly difficult area to standardize:
- There are studies done in a laboratory and studies done in the field.
- There are studies conducted using particular techniques that yield completely different polygraph accuracy results from other techniques.
- There are studies done on testing for a single, specific issue (tests on a crime, on fidelity, etc.), and studies done on what is known as screening, which covers most pre-employment types of tests.
- There are polygraph studies done where the threat of being discovered lying is very real, and there are tests done in a laboratory where participants don’t have any ‘real’ threat of consequences to their lying.
- Some studies count ‘inconclusive’ results as errors, which makes the polygraph accuracy percentages lower than they really are.
- Some polygraph research is done using analog instruments, and some using computerized instruments. Nobody perfectly agrees on actual percentages.
However, there is some good news. What the majority of researchers do agree on is:
- A polygraph is much better than chance, but less than perfect.
- A polygraph is the best tool to date for detecting deception, and its utility, meaning its effectiveness in resolving crimes and issues, is unquestioned.
- That a specific issue test (a test about one topic, like did you do it or did you not do it) is more accurate than any other type of test.
- The training, skills, and expertise of the examiner are extremely important to the accuracy of a polygraph exam.
Personal examiner accuracy is far more important than all the polygraph validity studies combined. I go to every effort to be thorough, respectful, conscientious, and impartial in conducting my examinations, and I am committed to having the most up-to-date information and training at my fingertips—backed by decades of experience and education.
As The Polygraph Examiner, the tests I’ve been able to verify show that my personal accuracy is exceptional, simply because I work hard to make it so, while taking as much human error as possible out of that equation.
Numbers Regarding Polygraph Accuracy Rates
People love numbers and percentages, but I’ve obviously avoided these here until I could make a case for what really matters. But as a guideline, I’ll now present the conclusions set by the American Polygraph Association.
In reviewing 80+ polygraph research studies, which included over 6,000 tests conducted since 1980, the overall ranges are:
- Field Studies (real-life crimes) – 92% to 98% overall accuracy.
- Laboratory Polygraph Studies (mock crimes) – 80% to 81% overall accuracy.
Since I will never be testing you in a laboratory, the polygraph accuracy percentages of the field studies above, i.e, 92% to 98%, are the ones that will relate to your testing situation.
If you’re in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia, you can contact me at (800) 497-9305 to discuss polygraph testing for your case.
About Me
Hi, I’m Andrew Goldstein, The Polygraph Examiner. I am a polygraph expert with advanced training from the International Academy of Polygraph in Forensic Psychophysiology.
My work brings unmatched credibility and professionalism to every case, and I have performed thousands of examinations across a range of serious issues, from criminal investigations to relationship disputes, with high polygraph accuracy rates.
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You won’t find a more professional, flexible, or accurate polygraph examiner in this area. Call me to discuss your situation. I’ll answer any questions you have, and together, we can determine if a polygraph exam is right for you.