What Questions Do They Ask for a Police Polygraph?
A polygraph test, also known as a lie detector test, is a widely used tool in law enforcement to detect deception and identify potential dishonesty. In a police polygraph exam, a trained examiner uses a polygraph machine to measure physiological responses, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance, to determine if a person is telling the truth or not. When conducting a polygraph exam, the examiner typically asks a series of questions that are designed to elicit a truthful response from the examinee.
Types of Questions Asked in a Police Polygraph Exam
In a police polygraph exam, the examiner typically asks three types of questions:
- Control Questions (CQs): These questions are designed to elicit a truthful response from the examinee, and are used as a baseline to compare the results of other questions. Examples of control questions might include:
- Have you ever told a lie to get out of trouble?
- Have you ever broken a rule or disobeyed an authority figure?
- Have you ever stolen something that didn’t belong to you?
- Relevant Questions (RQs): These questions are specific to the investigation or crime being investigated, and are designed to elicit information about the examinee’s knowledge or involvement in the event. Examples of relevant questions might include:
- Did you see or hear anything suspicious on the night of the robbery?
- Did you have any contact with the victim prior to the incident?
- Did you know someone who was involved in the crime?
- Comparison Questions (CNQs): These questions are designed to compare the examinee’s response to the control questions, and are used to determine if the examinee is providing a truthful response. Examples of comparison questions might include:
- Did you commit the crime?
- Were you involved in the crime?
- Did you have any involvement in the crime?
What Questions Do They Ask in a Police Polygraph Exam?
The specific questions asked in a police polygraph exam can vary depending on the investigation or crime being investigated. However, here are some common questions that may be asked:
General Questions
- Have you ever been involved in a crime or illegal activity?
- Have you ever lied to anyone, including law enforcement officers?
- Have you ever committed a crime and tried to cover it up?
Investigation-Specific Questions
- Did you know the victim or suspect in this case?
- Did you have any contact with them on the day of the incident?
- Did you see or hear anything unusual on the day of the incident?
Crime-Specific Questions
- Did you commit the crime or have any involvement in it?
- Were you at the scene of the crime on the day it was committed?
- Did you have any knowledge of the crime before it was committed?
Behavioral Questions
- Have you ever had any problems with authority figures or law enforcement officers?
- Have you ever felt the need to lie to avoid trouble or consequences?
- Have you ever lied to get out of a difficult situation?
Table: Examples of Police Polygraph Questions
| Type of Question | Example Questions |
|---|---|
| Control Questions | Have you ever told a lie to get out of trouble? Have you ever broken a rule or disobeyed an authority figure? |
| Relevant Questions | Did you see or hear anything suspicious on the night of the robbery? Did you have any contact with the victim prior to the incident? |
| Comparison Questions | Did you commit the crime? Were you involved in the crime? Did you have any involvement in the crime? |
| General Questions | Have you ever been involved in a crime or illegal activity? Have you ever lied to anyone, including law enforcement officers? |
| Investigation-Specific Questions | Did you know the victim or suspect in this case? Did you have any contact with them on the day of the incident? |
| Crime-Specific Questions | Did you commit the crime or have any involvement in it? Were you at the scene of the crime on the day it was committed? |
| Behavioral Questions | Have you ever had any problems with authority figures or law enforcement officers? Have you ever felt the need to lie to avoid trouble or consequences? |
Conclusion
The questions asked in a police polygraph exam are carefully designed to elicit a truthful response from the examinee. By asking control questions, relevant questions, and comparison questions, examiners can determine if a person is telling the truth or not. While no polygraph test is 100% accurate, the results can be a useful tool in law enforcement investigations.
