APA Standards of Practice

1.1.7  Test Data Analysis (TDA) in polygraph refers to any structured method, whether manual or automated, for the evaluation and interpretation of the recorded physiological data in terms of probabilistic margins of uncertainty and/or categorical test decisions concerning the examinee’s truthfulness or concealed knowledge.  

1.1.7.3  Polygraph Technique:  A polygraph technique consists of a combination of 1) a polygraph testing format for which there is a published description of test administration procedures that confirms to evidence-based principles for target selection, test question construction, and test administration; and 2) a published description of the test data analyses model, including physiological features, transformations, decision rules, and normative data.

1.1.7.3.1  Polygraph techniques for Evidentiary examinations shall be those for which there exists at least two published empirical studies, original and replicated demonstrating an unweighted average accuracy rate of 90% or greater, excluding inconclusive results, which shall not exceed 20%.  An Evidentiary Examination is a polygraph examination in which the written and stated purpose agreed to by the parties involved is to provide a diagnostic opinion as evidence in a pending judicial proceeding.

1.1.7.3.3  Polygraph techniques for Investigative testing shall be those for which there exist at least two published empirical studies, original and replicated, demonstrating an unweighted average accuracy rate of 80% or greater, excluding inconclusive results, which shall not exceed 20%.  An Investigative Examination is a polygraph examination which is intended to supplement and/or assist an investigation and for which the examiner has not been informed and does not reasonably believe that the results of the examination will be tendered for admission as evidence in a court proceeding.  Investigative examinations may be conducted for screening purposes or to investigate known allegations or known incidents.

1.1.7.3.4  Polygraph techniques used for Screening purposes shall be those for which there exist at least two published empirical studies, original and replicated, demonstrating an unweighted accuracy rate that is significantly greater than chance, and should be used in a “successive hurdles” approach which entail additional testing with validated methods when the screening test is not favorably resolved.  A Screening Examination is a polygraph examination conducted in the absence of a reported incident or allegation.  Screening examinations may be conducted as single issue or multiple issue exams.

1.1.5  Diagnostic Examination:  An event-specific evidentiary or investigative polygraph examination conducted to assist in determining the veracity of an examinee regarding his or her knowledge of or involvement in a reported issue or allegation.  Diagnostic examinations may address a single aspect or multiple facts of an event.

1.2.3  The examiner should make reasonable efforts to determine that the examinee is a suitable candidate for polygraph testing.  Basic inquiries into the medical and psychological condition of the examinee should be made where allowed by law.  Mental, physical, or medical conditions of the examinee that are observable by or reasonably known to the examiner should be considered when conducting and evaluating an examination.

1.3.2  Physiological recordings during each test shall be continuous and should be of sufficient amplitude to be easily readable by the the examiner and any reviewing examiner.

1.4.1  The testing environment should be reasonably free from distractions.

1.4.2  Examiners conducting polygraph examinations during public viewing are prohibited from rendering opinions regarding the truthfulness of the examinees on the basis of these examinations.  Examiners should ensure that reenactments of polygraph examinations are clearly conveyed as such to viewers.  If the examiner determines that the reenactment will not or has not been clearly conveyed as a reenactment, the examiner shall immediately notify the APA National Office.

1.5.1  Prior to an examination, the examiner shall dedicate sufficient time to identify and discuss the examination issues and potential problem areas.

1.6.2  The examiner shall obtain the informed consent of the examinee prior to testing.  It is recommended that the informed consent of the examinee be obtained after an overview of the polygraph process, including polygraph instrumentation and sensors, use of video/audio recording, issues to be discussed, requirements for cooperating during testing, and the need to report information and results to the referring professionals.

1.6.3  The examiner shall review all test questions prior to recording the physiological responses of the examinee.

1.7.1  The member polygraph examiner shall use evidence-based validated testing techniques.  For purposes of these standards, a testing technique shall be considered valid of supported by research conducted in accordance with the APA’s research standards.  Where examiners deviate from the protocols of a validated polygraph technique, the deviations should be explained in writing.

1.7.5  An audio or audio-video recording of all phases of the exam shall be maintained as part of the examination files, consistent with agency policy, regulation or law, for a minimum of one (1) year.

1.7.6  Examiners shall conduct an acquaintance test for all diagnostic, evidentiary, paired-testing, initial screening, and initial investigative examinations.

1.7.7  Questions used in the assessment of truth and deception shall be followed by time intervals of not less than 20 seconds from question onset to question onset.

1.7.9.1  Polygraph examiners should ensure that all polygraph reports, test questions, data, recordings, information and documents of any kind related to the polygraph pre-test, in-test and post-test are maintained for a minimum of three (3) years or as otherwise required by law.

1.7.9.2  A recording of all phases of the exam shall be maintained as part of the examination files, consistent with agency policy, regulation or law, for a minimum of one (1) year.

1.7.11  Examinations shall be scheduled for not less than 90 minutes.  A member polygraph examiner shall not conduct more than five examinations of any type in one day.

1.8.4  A test result shall not be final until it is documented in the examination report and issued to the referring professional or agency.

This information was updated 12/9/25