Infidelity Polygraph FAQs

The Polygraph Examiner, Andrew Goldstein

When I conduct an infidelity polygraph, I am not trying to interpret feelings or guess intentions. My role is limited; I simply determine whether a specific behavior or event occurred.

Most people who contact me with questions about polygraph tests for infidelity usually want to know how direct the actual cheating polygraph questions will be. The answer? Very direct.

My focus is on conduct such as kissing or any sexual activity that can be clearly defined and tested, and hasn’t been disclosed.

I know what questions to ask in a cheating lie detector test, especially since the reliability of the results depends on this precision. Therefore, I write the questions with as much clarity as possible.

I don’t test thoughts, attractions, emotional closeness, or intentions. This type of behavior cannot be stated plainly; therefore, it doesn’t belong in the examination. My polygraph test questions for infidelity are most effective in situations that I’ve explained on the infidelity page.

What Can I Ask in a Cheating or Infidelity Polygraph?

My infidelity polygraph questions focus on conduct that can be tied to a specific time frame and answered with a clear yes or no. The questions usually address physical meetings or concealed communication, but only after the terms are defined during the pre-test interview.

For example, my polygraph test questions for infidelity will usually be like: “Since (date), have you had sex with anyone other than (name)?”

Yes, I get really specific with these cheating polygraph questions because we all need as much clarity as possible for a reliable result.

But not every question is about physical intimacy. When secrecy is the concern, the question focuses on concealment itself. For example: “Since (date), have you intentionally hidden or deleted romantic messages with anyone other than your spouse?”

I never ask open-ended questions like “Are you a liar?” or those that rely on interpreting feelings. If the wording can’t be defined, I don’t use it.

Can I Ask If My Partner Is Cheating?

While I am direct, “Are you cheating?” is not one of the questions to ask in a cheating lie detector test. That’s because such a question is too vague. People often have different beliefs about what “cheating” really involves.

When someone asks, “Is my partner cheating?” they’re usually trying to confirm something specific, like a meeting or sexual encounter. That concern has to be narrowed before it can be tested without room for interpretation.

If the polygraph test questions for infidelity remain broad, the result becomes easy to argue after the fact. One person might think the question covered certain behavior, while the other disagrees. That’s where the problem starts.

So while I don’t ask polygraph questions like that one for infidelity, I do take the concern behind it and reduce it to something concrete. Once the behavior is clear, the question can be tested properly.

What Are the Most Common Polygraph Infidelity Questions?

I always categorize these questions so that I can keep them focused and clear:

Physical Sexual Contact

This is the most common category of polygraph test questions for infidelity. Some questions I ask include:

• Since (date), have you had sexual intercourse with anyone other than (partner’s name)?
• Have you ever used any pay-for-sex service?

Emotional or Online Infidelity

Here is one of those grey areas where the clarity of the cheating polygraph questions is important. For emotional or online infidelity, the questions to ask in a cheating lie detector test include:

• Have you sent any sexually explicit messages or images to someone other than your partner?
• Do you currently have an emotional relationship with someone your partner does not know about?
• Since being with your partner, have you physically met with someone you first contacted on a dating website or app?

Secrecy and Deception

Polygraph test questions for infidelity in this category, when framed right, will reveal any concealed behavior to help you rebuild your relationship better.

These include:

• Since this year started, have you ever lied to your partner about your whereabouts or who you were with?
• Are you intentionally hiding any other sexual interactions from your partner at the moment?

Can I Suggest My Own Questions?

Yes, you can suggest infidelity polygraph test questions before the examination. Most people do. Those suggestions usually reflect the concern that brought them in, but they are not used automatically.

All polygraph test questions for infidelity are reviewed by me, one at a time. Some are usable with minor changes. Those cheating polygraph questions that are too broad have to be reduced to a single action. If a suggested question cannot be tied to a specific behavior, I leave it out.

The questions to ask in a cheating lie detector test cannot combine multiple issues or assume facts that have not been established. That’s why every question that goes on the test is one that I approve of and stand behind. That keeps the examination focused and avoids disputes about wording after the results are given.

Are Questions About Past Relationships Allowed?

Polygraph test questions for infidelity don’t usually have anything to do with past relationships unless your partner is still in contact with their ex. If that’s the case, then questions about past relationships can be used, but only in limited situations.

However, I do not include cheating lie detector questions about relationships that clearly fall outside the time frame of concern. If the relationship ended before the current one began and has no bearing on the issue being tested, it is not relevant.

Past relationships may also come into play when there is a question about overlap or continuation. In those cases, the polygraph test questions for infidelity are not about the past relationship itself, but about what occurred during the agreed-upon period. The focus stays on actions, not history.

I also avoid lie detector questions for infidelity that reopen old disclosures that are already agreed upon by both parties. A polygraph is not used to relitigate settled issues. All polygraph questions about cheating must connect directly to the present and serve a clear purpose.

What Happens If Someone Refuses to Answer a Question?

The questions I need to ask in a cheating lie detector test are tough and direct. So naturally, there are many people who refuse to answer. When this happens, unfortunately, the examination can’t cover that issue.

During these polygraph test questions for infidelity, people are free to pause, hesitate, or say that they won’t answer a question, and there is no way around it. If the hesitation is about wording, I clear that up once. If the person still won’t answer, the question comes off the test, and we move on.

In infidelity cases, I understand that this gap matters. People usually come looking for clarity. When a question isn’t answered, that clarity doesn’t happen.

Therefore, while I cannot have full control over which questions the examinee chooses to answer, I spend time on the questions beforehand. But once the test starts, the polygraph test questions for infidelity can only reflect what someone is willing to answer.

What Kinds of Questions Are Not Allowed?

There are questions people often want included that I will not use, even if the concern feels justified. I will not ask questions that rely on labels instead of behavior.

While I’m using the term “cheating polygraph questions” in this article, phrases like “cheating,” “being faithful,” or “crossing boundaries” are too loose on their own and mean different things depending on the person answering.

Like I’ve briefly mentioned earlier, my polygraph test questions for infidelity don’t include questions that stack issues together. A question that mixes sex, communication, and secrecy into one sentence creates problems later, especially if part of it is true and part is not. Each question has to deal with one issue only.

Thoughts, fantasies, intentions, and emotions are also excluded. I am not testing what someone felt, wanted, or considered doing. I am testing what actually happened. If I’m to ask questions in a cheating lie detector test, they must meet this requirement so we can get reliable results.

How Important Are Clear Polygraph Test Questions for Infidelity?

Accuracy in an infidelity polygraph does not come from the machine alone; it comes from how the questions are written and how closely they match the issue being examined.

When the wording is tight and the behavior is clearly defined, the results are far more reliable than when the questions are broad or loosely framed.

The accuracy of a polygraph drops when people try to test ideas instead of actions. Questions built around assumptions, labels, or vague accusations tend to produce results that are later argued over. When a question is about a specific act, during a specific period, the outcome is much clearer and easier to stand behind.

Polygraph test questions for infidelity are not meant to resolve every doubt in a relationship. They are designed to answer a narrow question. When used that way, and when the infidelity questions for polygraphs are properly written, the results are generally reliable enough to help people make decisions they have been stuck on.

Who Should Pursue Infidelity Polygraph Tests?

An infidelity polygraph is rarely the first step in a dispute; it is typically a tool of last resort used when trust has reached a complete standstill. The questions I need to ask in a cheating lie detector test depend on the people who seek out this service. They generally fall into several distinct categories:

Couples in Reconciliation

Couples in reconciliation are the most frequent clients in the infidelity space. When a breach of trust has occurred, the “trickle-truth” effect, where information is revealed in small, painful doses over months, can be more damaging than the initial act.

Couples committed to therapy find my cheating polygraph questions useful because the polygraph helps them to “clear the deck,” and establish a “Day Zero” of honesty to begin rebuilding their bond.

Individuals Facing False Accusations

In some situations, the person accused is also the one who requests the test. This happens when someone wants a straightforward way to respond to an accusation they deny.

Here, polygraph test questions for infidelity are a proactive way to clear their name and stop the cycle of endless questioning.

Other Cases Include

• Recovery and addiction support for instances involving sex or love addiction.
• Legal and financial private negotiations involving “fidelity clauses” in pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreements.
• Individuals or families that just need to know the truth for their own sanity.

What to Expect on Test Day

On the day of the test, there are only about four things you can expect. Apart from the examinee’s responsibilities, these include:

Arrival and Consent

When you arrive, you’re brought into a private setting where I get your paperwork in order. This means that I confirm your identity and go through the consent form with you.

The polygraph test questions for infidelity are direct; therefore, this is also where I make sure that you’re physically and mentally able to proceed.

The Pre-Test Interview

The questions I need to ask in a cheating lie detector test work best with a pre-test interview, and this is where most time is spent. We talk through the situation that led to the examination and narrow the issue down to what actually needs to be tested.

I explain the process in plain terms and go over each question carefully. All polygraph questions about cheating are taken seriously and have to be agreed upon before testing begins.

The Test Phase

Once the polygraph test questions for infidelity are finalized, the sensors are attached. These include components placed on the chest, arm, and fingers.

During the test, I ask the same question more than once and compare your responses.

Results

When the test is done, I then review the data I collect. Most of the time, I will discuss the results with you before you leave, followed by a written report that I prepare afterward.

More FAQs

How much does a lie detector test for cheating cost?

I don’t have a single set price for the tests. Each situation is handled on its own because the questions I need to ask in a cheating lie detector test must be highly specific to the examinee for a reliable result.

However, generally speaking, most tests I conduct fall somewhere between $900 and $1500. You can expect an average figure of $1250, but the final number depends on what questions need to be addressed in the polygraph test for infidelity.

Do you offer infidelity polygraph tests for same-sex couples?

Yes. I have worked with same-sex couples a lot over the years. My practice is also intentionally structured to be inclusive and welcoming, especially since people come to me at one of their most vulnerable moments.

My commitment to inclusivity is built on the idea that every couple is treated with the same level of dignity and forensic professionalism. My goal is to provide clear, data-driven answers to everyone.

Can I ask about multiple incidents of cheating?

Yes, but it has to be handled carefully. Polygraph tests for infidelity work best when each question is focused and specific. If there are several suspected incidents, I don’t try to test everything at once.

I narrow the issue, group related concerns when possible, get specific about the time frame, and decide what actually needs to be addressed.

Are the cheating polygraph questions confidential?

Yes. I keep the exam, questions, and results private. I don’t hand them to a partner, a parent, an attorney, or anyone else just because they asked.

As the examinee, you’re the only one who can authorize the release, and this is something I make sure you understand before we even begin. This is partly the reason I also use a neutral location for the test.

Get Reliable Testing Services

When questions about fidelity keep coming back, it’s usually because nothing has truly answered them. In such a case, more talking often turns into circular arguments rather than resolution.

That’s where I come in as The Polygraph Examiner. The best polygraph test questions for infidelity help you settle one specific doubt that breaks the pattern of circular arguments around that topic.

I’ve worked with people who chose cheating polygraph questions simply to gain enough certainty to decide their next step with clarity. And I can do the same for you.

If you’re trying to understand whether testing makes sense in your situation, or how it fits into a larger attempt to resolve ongoing conflict, I recommend reading more about my approach to infidelity tests.

If you’re still unsure whether testing applies to your situation, a conversation is the best place to start. I’ll explain what can be tested and help you decide how to proceed. Schedule your free, confidential consultation today.