Polygraph Services
One of the first questions employers ask after deciding to use polygraph testing is surprisingly simple: "Which test do we actually need?"
It is a fair question, yet one that often reveals a common misunderstanding about polygraph examinations. Many people assume that there is only one type of polygraph test that can be applied to every situation. In reality, professional polygraph services are tailored to the specific objective of the examination. Just as a doctor would not prescribe the same treatment for every patient, a qualified polygraph examiner selects the appropriate examination based on the circumstances and the information the employer hopes to obtain.
Choosing the correct type of examination is one of the most important factors in ensuring that the process produces meaningful and reliable results.
Perhaps the most commonly used examination in the workplace is the Specific-Issue Polygraph Examination. This examination is conducted when a clearly defined incident has already occurred. It may involve the disappearance of stock, allegations of fraud, unauthorised disclosure of confidential information, sabotage, bribery or other forms of workplace misconduct.
Rather than asking broad or unrelated questions, the examination focuses only on the specific issue under investigation. The objective is not to prove guilt in isolation but to assist the employer in evaluating information already gathered during the investigation. When combined with witness statements, documentary evidence, access control records and other investigative findings, a specific-issue examination can strengthen an employer's understanding of what occurred.
Another increasingly common application is the Pre-Employment Polygraph Examination. Employers invest considerable time and money in recruiting the right people, particularly for positions involving cash handling, security, access to valuable assets or sensitive information. While criminal record checks, qualification verifications and reference checks remain essential, they do not always reveal every integrity-related concern.