If a client wishes to have a pregnant person given a lie detector test, there are a number of aspects to consider before scheduling an exam for that person.
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
Polygraph testing will not harm an unborn child. The polygraph instrument uses non-invasive attachments to record bodily functions. These attachments include:
- Blood Pressure Cuff – usually placed on the arm to measure BP changes
- Pneumograph Tubes – soft rubber tubes that go around the torso
- Electrodermal Sensors – usually placed on the hand to measure skin glands
- Plethysmograph – attached to one of the fingers to measure blood volume
- Motion Sensors – one or more pads that record the Examinee’s movements
None of these attachments will cause harm to the Examinee or to the unborn child. However, there are increased stress levels inherent in the polygraph testing process. It is these increased stress levels that must be considered, particularly if the pregnancy is abnormal or high risk.
The pregnancy must be “low risk” for the examiner to consider the exam. The Examinee must be in good overall health. The Examinee can not be experiencing significant pain or discomfort during the exam (a pain response will distort the data that is being collected).
If the Examiner agrees to provide the exam, a written release from the patient’s physician will be required. This form must indicate that it is medically safe for the Examinee and unborn child to undergo the stress of a polygraph exam. Here is a LINK to the Physician Release Form.
EXAMINER CONSIDERATIONS
Many examiners will not test a pregnant woman. If the examiner will test a pregnant woman, in addition to the Physician Release Form that is required, the examiner may have additional restrictions, such as “first trimester only.” These restrictions can be found on each individual Testing Location page of our website.
This page addresses the following issues:
- Lie Detector for pregnant women
- Lie Detector while pregnant
- Lie Detector Testing and pregnancy
- Lie Detector during pregnancy
- Polygraph for pregnant women
- Polygraph while pregnant
- Polygraph Testing and pregnancy
- Polygraph during pregnancy
- Can a lie detector harm an unborn child
- Can a polygraph harm an unborn child