Personal Theft and Loss Lie Detector Testing

Theft among friends, relatives, house guests and acquaintances is not uncommon.

And no, we’re not necessarily talking about high-level offenses like grand theft auto or family insurance frauds. Sometimes, it’s petty but no less damaging acts involving personal effects like clothing, jewelry, and even photos and documents. Despite the scale, theft in private settings can have far-reaching implications.

Dealing with property loss may cause untold emotional stress to the victim. It can also stir feelings of disrespect and fuel mistrust among close friends or family members. Without urgent interventions, the violated party may gradually withdraw from a relationship. Before you know it, a once-thriving union is irreparably broken.

However, not all theft allegations are factual. Cases abound where what appeared to be stolen was only misplaced. During such instances, the accused party may feel disrespected and disengage from a relationship. Navigating theft and loss incidents after the fact can be incredibly challenging. Therefore, you must conduct exhaustive investigations before pointing the accusing finger at someone.

The polygraph has become a reliable tool for resolving theft allegations, helping to narrow the list of perpetrators from a pool of suspects. Let’s examine the role of a lie detector test in investigating property loss, with a focus on non-employment theft.

If the theft or loss is in an employment setting, a different set of rules applies.  See our Employment Testing page for details.

HOW TO HANDLE PERSONAL THEFT INVESTIGATIONS

  1. Collecting Evidence – Evidence is the cornerstone of every investigation. Before you accuse anyone of theft, you need solid proof to build a case against them. Polygraphs may help with evidence gathering. While a lie detector test shouldn’t be used as a standalone investigative technique, the findings can provide compelling evidence to corroborate or impeach the accused’s defense.
  2. Shrinking the Suspects List – While investigating a theft within social settings, it’s prudent to start with a larger suspect pool and narrow it down as you go. This approach is more effective than beginning with a smaller pool and adding more names to the list. Findings from a polygraph exam can help narrow down a larger pool of suspects. Individuals who pass the test are consequently eliminated from the list, saving you time.
  3. Clearing Innocent Individuals – Circumstantial evidence has led to many suspects being wrongly convicted of theft. Imagine that your cousin appeared in CCTV footage around the same time a piece of jewelry went missing from your closet, while they should have ordinarily been in class or out at work. In that case, requesting a polygraph test may help clear the individual of wrongdoing. The test findings can validate the accused’s defense of simply being in the right place at the wrong time.
  4. An Effective Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism – Theft allegations can severely affect a flourishing relationship. Depending on what’s lost, the victim may threaten an all-out legal action. Conducting a polygraph test can help validate the authenticity of theft accusations. Lie detector tests may help sift factual claims from wild allegations, thereby averting lengthy and costly legal proceedings.
  5. Rebuilding Trust – Being accused of stealing shouldn’t herald the end of a relationship. On the contrary, the outcome should strengthen the bonds between the affected individuals. A lie detector test can be critical in rebuilding trust among friends, relatives, and business partners. That’s especially if theft allegations turn out to be false. As polygraph results confirm the accused’s testimony, the accuser may utilize the opportunity to ask for sincere forgiveness.
  6. Serving As A Deterrence – Burglary statistics in the United States are mind-boggling. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the agency received some 847,522 burglaries in 2022. A significant number of these incidents were the work of close relatives and friends. Fortunately, maintaining an unwritten polygraph policy in your household can serve as an effective deterrence. The fear of failing a lie detector test will have a would-be perpetrator reconsider stealing from you.

SITUATIONS WHERE POLYGRAPH TESTING FOR PERSONAL LOSSES APPLIES

  • Theft Between Friends – Greed and jealousy may cause your best friend to steal from you. Whether it’s cash, an outfit, a jewelry piece, artwork, or even drugs, don’t let these incidents ruin the relationship. Simply request the person to submit to a polygraph exam. The test findings will help hunker down on the prime suspects, expediting the investigation process.
  • Theft Between Roommates – Lost a precious item in a shared house, apartment, or hostel? Not to worry! Before escalating the matter to law enforcement, why not consider a lie detector test? No one wants to endure the shame of being labeled a thief. So, the mere suggestion of polygraphing all your roommates may cause the perpetrator to come clean.
  • Theft Within Family Settings – Losing a valuable possession to your bosom buddy is distressing enough. However, it doesn’t compare to theft in a family set-up. When an heirloom necklace or large sums of cash suddenly go missing in a large household, finding the actual perpetrator can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Your best bet is to request everyone to take a polygraph test.
  • Theft Between Romantic Partners – Relationship Partners aren’t immune to theft. And despite the common misconception, spouse-related thefts aren’t unique to boyfriends and girlfriends. They’re equally rampant among married couples and romantic partners. Lie detector tests can help resolve theft accusations between partners. Polygraph findings may solidify a case against your spouse or exonerate them, playing a critical role in shaping the relationship.
  • Theft Between Business Partners – Not all business associates are persons of integrity. While some genuinely desire the best in your joint venture, others are driven by uncontrollable avarice. It doesn’t matter if you’ve recently lost huge sums of money, a significant client, or valuable office equipment! Subjecting the suspects to lie detector tests may help settle the allegations and restore confidence in your business partners.
  • Theft Involving Visitors – When you host a backyard party or family get-together, the last thing you expect is losing your items to the attendees. However, theft incidents involving visitors and acquaintances are surprisingly common. Polygraphing suspected individuals may be the only way to narrow down the actual thieves.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS

While polygraphs are an invaluable tool for investigating theft in social circles, certain conditions are necessary to conduct credible tests.

  1. The examinee must be willing to participate. Obtaining wilful consent is arguably the biggest hurdle as far as lie detector tests go. The mere thought of taking a polygraph exam is quite unsettling. Even if a would-be examinee is 100% innocent, the fear of failing the test can be overwhelming. It’s only worse when you consider that the subject is a close friend or relative. As significant suspicion has already built around them, the individual may deploy unnecessary tactics like countermeasures to try to pass the test. Fortunately, you can navigate consent issues by hiring a certified examiner. An examiner will establish initial contact with the would-be examinee and impress upon them the significance of taking the polygraph test.
  2. A polygraph examinee must have attained the age of majority. That’s 18 years in most jurisdictions across the United States and worldwide. However, minors may also undergo polygraph tests in certain circumstances, with parental consent. A certified examiner will help you determine the minimum testing age in your location.
  3. Lie detector tests only help in investigating standalone thefts. An examiner cannot ask unrelated questions, such as those bordering on the examinee’s drug use or sexual history.

WHY THEFT TESTING MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Theft is one of the most common reasons people request polygraph exams, ranking fourth after pre-employment screening, relationship testing, and sex offender testing.

But what makes lie detector tests such a popular tool for investigating thefts in social set-ups? Well, polygraphing suspected thieves can help hone in on prime suspects. By confronting the examinee with the findings, actual perpetrators may come clean to avoid further repercussions.

Lie detector tests may also help to exonerate innocent individuals. Everyone who passes a professionally administered polygraph exam is consequently absolved, enabling you to shift your accusing finger elsewhere.

Using polygraphs to investigate theft among relatives and friends may also help to repair damaged relationships. The test findings can resolve serious allegations, providing closure and preventing the escalation of social hostilities.

HOW THE PROCESS WORKS

Reputable polygraph bodies, such as the American Polygraph Association (APA), spell out specific guidelines to follow while undertaking lie detector tests. Each step plays a critical role in ensuring the credibility of a polygraph exam.

  1. Determine You’re Dealing With an Actual Theft/Loss – After losing a valuable item, your first instinct may be to threaten the lead suspects with a polygraph test. However, it’s prudent to tread cautiously. First, scour the length and breadth of your house, apartment, dorm room, or office. This enables you to determine that the item in question is truly stolen and not otherwise misplaced. Remember, your relationship is at stake here. A little mishap could cause you to lose a family member or friend forever.
  2. Conduct Initial Investigations – Having built a reasonable suspicion of theft, proceed to conduct initial consultations. Approach the suspects and politely inquire about the lost item. Hopefully, your gentle inquiries can press someone’s conscience hard enough to admit guilt. But if no such admissions are forthcoming, it’s time to up the ante by suggesting a polygraph test.
  3. Find an Examiner – While polygraph examiners number in the thousands, not everyone is worth their salt. First, insist on an examiner who graduated from an APA-accredited school. Ask to see the relevant credentials for proof of training and certification. Besides, hire an examiner with a stellar industry presence. Select an individual who has practiced for the longest time (at least five years) and has a trail of happy clients to their name.
  4. Let the Examiner Handle the Rest – To investigate a theft, a professional polygraph examiner would proceed as follows;
  5.  inform all suspects about the intention of the polygraph, i.e., the incident under investigation. 

THE PROCESS

  1. Making Initial Consultations – A polygraphist will reach out to all concerned parties and discuss the proposed test. Preliminary consultations help inform all suspects about the intention of the polygraph, i.e., the incident under investigation.
  2. Consenting To the Test – With all critical details in the open, the would-be examinees can now submit to a polygraph test. Note that all consent must be written. One or more suspects may decline to be polygraphed, and that cannot be held against them. Hopefully, they don’t, as that would be a serious indictment of their credibility. Once a would-be examinee gives their informed consent in writing, the parties (accuser, accused, and examiner) will agree on a date, time, and location for the actual polygraph exam.
  3. Administering the Test – To administer a polygraph test, an examiner connects various components of the polygraph machine to the examinee’s body. These include pneumographs for measuring breathing, cardiosphygmographs for tracking heart rate and blood pressure, and galvanographs for monitoring skin conductivity.  This process includes a pretest interview, question review, acquaintance (calibration) test, and the actual exam using the questions that were reviewed earlier. 

SHARING OF RESULTS

Professional examiners understand that polygraph findings should never be broadcast to all and sundry. Instead, the reports must be shared confidentially (to the client) to uphold the examinee’s privacy.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Polygraph results are generally inadmissible in criminal proceedings. And while you may use the findings in some civil cases, that’s usually to the discretion of the presiding judge or jury.

There are certain ethical standards to uphold as well. As mentioned, a polygraph’s validity depends on the examinee’s wilful consent. An examiner must also treat each suspect as innocent until proven otherwise. Moreover, they must handle the findings in strict adherence to applicable privacy laws.

Tapping Into Professional Help for Theft Polygraphs

Dealing with theft issues in social set-ups can raise undue tensions. If not urgently addressed, these allegations may trigger long-running feuds. When it’s your word against the other person’s, administering a polygraph exam might be the surest way to separate fact from mere allegations. Don’t let non-employment loss set you back. Not when you can take a bold step by scheduling a theft polygraph test today!

This page addresses the following issues:

  • Theft from friends
  • Stealing from friends
  • Theft from partner
  • Stealing from partner
  • Theft from household
  • Stealing from household
  • Theft from family
  • Stealing from family

GLOBAL POLYGRAPH NETWORK®

Established in 1987, Global Polygraph Network® is the world’s largest and most trusted polygraph (lie detector) company with services available at hundreds of locations by highly-trained experts worldwide. Avoid “discount” polygraph frauds and “over the phone” testing scams. We only provide real polygraphs by real examiners. Trust our A+ BBB rating, up-front pricing, and written guarantee.