Polygraph Examination FAQs

Polygraph Examinations are not magic or pseudoscience; the practice is based on clinical research, collective experience (100 years), and performance testing while continuously being improved through enhancements and research published in peer-reviewed journals.  

Polygraph Examinations are used extensively in the Federal Government, Law Enforcement, State Governments, and in private practice (infidelity, theft, sporting events, and other reasons where there is suspicion of trust).

Event-specific diagnostic polygraphs have been shown to provide mean accuracy of .89 (89% or more) with a 95% confidence range from .83 to .95. Multi-issue screening polygraphs have been shown to provide accuracy rates, with a mean of .85 (85% or more) and a 95% confidence range of .77 to .93.  

If a another polygraph examiner makes a claim about this firm, or any other firm, that lower cost is indicative of lower accuracy, this is wrong and can be illegal. Making specific, measurable claims about a service's quality or effectiveness, especially when linked to its price, requires substantiation and without evidence, such claims can be deemed misleading and may violate advertising laws. Substantiation would require formal testing among the examiners and comparing the results using formal statistical tools. All licensed examiners in the State of Tennessee are required to use the same minimum standards, use approved techniques and polygraph equipment, thus maintain the same advertised polygraph accuracy derived from research and taken from American Polygraph Association published papers. Any accuracy greater than this is false advertising unless it can be proven through approved formal peer-reviewed published research.  

Polygraph examinations, like other scientific and forensic tests, can take the form of either diagnostic test (“did you do it?” test) or screening tests (multiple issues). (APA, Nelson 2015) 

Yes. Dr. Stainback is a graduate of a rigorous and accredited polygraphy school, the American International Institute of Polygraph  with  a subsequent State of Tennessee supervised internship, years of experience and follow-up attendance in advanced polygraphy training.  Dr. Stainback attends the nationally recognized American Polygraph Association seminar every year and serves on multiple committees.  

Regularly Attends the American Polygraph Association (APA) Meetings

Serves on APA Committees and Received Formal Recognitions

Attends Advanced Examiner Training

Uses the Latest Software, Techniques and Scoring Methodologies

Continuous Learner (Psychology, Criminal Forensics)

Advanced Degrees with Statistics, Data Analytics, Human Factors

Examinees can have someone accompany them to the polygraph office, however third parties are not permitted in the examination room except for interpreters. Dr. Stainback’s polygraph examination sessions are audio and video recorded.  The video recording is kept on file and is kept on file for 1 year as per TN law.  The reason third parties are not allowed to be in the polygraph room during an examination is because there may be “observer effects” such as the examinee may conduct themselves differently or respond differently when they are aware that they are being watched and/or listen to in person by an observer other than the examiner. 

Yes. Attorneys use polygraph examinations, under attorney client privilege, to veracity their clients statements and to work with the prosecution in determining the best legal course of action for their client.

Dr. Stainback keeps his rate and overhead costs low, and his rate is lower than most examiners by having no employees (no staff) and sophisticated business management tools or consultants. Polygraph examinations take about 2.5 hours to complete, not including preparation and report.  In addition to the time it takes to complete an examination, a polygraph examiner is professionally licensed incurring continuous education, licensure, and insurance costs; these costs are in addition to office rental incidental disposable supplies (eg masks, gloves, cleaning agents).  

If a another polygraph examiner makes a claim about this firm, or any other firm, that lower cost is indicative of lower accuracy, this is wrong and can be illegal. Making specific, measurable claims about a service's quality or effectiveness, especially when linked to its price, requires substantiation and without evidence, such claims can be deemed misleading and may violate advertising laws. Substantiation would require formal testing among the examiners and comparing the results using formal statistical tools. All licensed examiners in the State of Tennessee are required to use the same minimum standards, use approved techniques and polygraph equipment, thus maintain the same advertised polygraph accuracy derived from research and taken from American Polygraph Association published papers. Any accuracy greater than this is false advertising unless it can be proven through approved formal peer-reviewed published research. 

Polygraph examination admissibility varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Some states ban it completely; others allow results by stipulation; and some allow polygraph evidence over objection.  (APA—www.polygraph.org)  The State of  Tennessee follows the general rule that the results of a lie detector test are inadmissible in evidence and that the circumstances surrounding the taking or not taking of such tests are likewise inadmissible. Hembree v. State, 546 S.W.2d 235, 240 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1976) (law.justia.com) 

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA) prohibits most private employers from using polygraph testing to screen applicants for employment.  It does not affect public employers such as police agencies or other governmental institutions. (APA—www.polygraph.org)  The EPPA allows polygraph tests to be used in connection with jobs in security and handling drugs or in investigating a specific theft or other suspected crime. (L. Guerin JD  - nolo.com, 2022)