Blog Archive

  • Eye-Detect vs Polygraph

    The Eye-Detect Lie Detector by Danny Seiler – A Polygraph Examiner’s Opinion Lying has been a part of human behavior since ancient times, and various methods have been used throughout history to try and detect lies. In recent years, technological advancements have led to the development of new methods of lie detection, including the eye-detect…

  • Taking a Polygraph Test

    My Polygraph Test and What to expect – Danny Seiler Before you arrive,  I have done the following to make sure that I am ready.  I have reviewed all background information, and I have spoken with the requesting client.  I have also checked my equipment. I check to make sure my instrument is calibrated and…

  • Scientific Bases for Polygraph

    Raymond Nelson author of an enlightening paper on the Scientific Bases for polygraph testing. Click on the below link to read.

  • National Polygraph Association 2018

    On January 21 to 24th, I attended the National Polygraph Association’s annual seminar.  The event was well attended this year in Las Vegas, NV at the Golden Nugget Hotel. There was a great Case Study presented called The Pillowcase Rapist.  Christopher Hubbart tagged as the ‘Pillowcase Rapist’ was the most prolific serial rapist in the…

  • Virginia Polygraph Training

    On November 1st and 2nd, I attended the Virginia Polygraph Association’s annual two-day seminar. The training was great, informative and helpful in my polygraph profession. There were around 100 polygraph examiners in attendance and all came away with some useful information. The training was sponsored by the American Polygraph Association and as always they added…

  • Vyvance Medication

    A medication that may affect polygraph test data In the past, several people have asked me if the medication they have been prescribed will interfere with their polygraph test.  I tell them that most medications generally do not have a great impact on polygraph testing. However, there are some medications that do. Lafayette Instrument Company…

  • EPPA Exemptions for Employers

    ELECTRONIC CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS Employee Polygraph Protection Act | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov) Title 29: Labor  PART 801—APPLICATION OF THE EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT OF 1988 Subpart B—Exemptions §801.12   Exemption for employers conducting investigations of economic loss or injury. (a) Section 7(d) of the Act provides a limited exemption from the general prohibition on…

  • Does Polygraph Really Work?

    Polygraph, for the most part, does work reliably. There are many good scientific studies that indicate that polygraph testing is much higher than the probability of chance. These studies indicate that the polygraph is somewhere between 85 to 95% reliable. I have been doing polygraph tests for over 32 years and can only think of…

  • Employee Theft

    Workplace Thefts Workplace polygraph testing has declined since the passage of the American polygraph Protection Act.  The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA) generally prevents employers from using lie detector tests, either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment, with certain exemptions. Employers generally may not require or request any employee or…

  • Another Immigration Case

    This post deals with an immigration case that is currently under litigation. I have omitted the names of the principles and some of the factual information in order to protect the identities of the parties. Please take no reference from this article that I am referring to any particular parties. This post is about a…

  • Use of Polygraph in Immigration Cases

    The Immigration Case  Based on a true polygraph case   An ever increasing number of immigration cases are utilizing polygraph tests to determine the immigrant’s truthfulness about deportation issues.   This article is based on a resent polygraph examination.  I have not included and identifying information about the immigrant.  No one should infer or claim that…

  • Why I don’t do polygraph tests in client’s home!

    Recently there was a true story printed in the Virginia Polygraph Association’s New Letter, April 2012 Addition, about what can go wrong when you do a polygraph test in a client’s home. The full article can be read at http://vapolygraph-org.webs.com/vpanewsletter.htm. I don’t do polygraph tests in client’s homes. This article, although extreme, points out why…

  • Lie Detector Test in Maryland

    If you want to use or take a lie detector test in Maryland you should know what laws apply.  There are no laws, regulations or licensing regulating polygraph examiners. However, Maryland has a very old law mostly dealing with employment.  Under Maryland law, an employer may not require or demand a polygraph test as a condition…

  • How Polygraph Examiners Protect Against Errors

    Polygraph testing has been shown to be very accurate – with between 85% and 95% correct results – but errors do sometimes occur. There are many reasons why this can be the case, such as failure to properly prepare the test subject for the exam, improper question formulation, or a misreading of the physiological data…

  • Can You Beat the Polygraph Test

    I came across the following link on You Tube and I think it is right on point.   Click on the short video and see for yourself:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt3ninRIsSs&feature=related

  • Why You Can’t “Beat” the Polygraph Test

    One of the major concerns for any polygraph test is accuracy. Whether you are taking the test yourself or waiting on the results of someone else’s test, you want to ensure that there are no factors that get in the way of a correct result. For this reason, polygraph examiners receive training in spotting attempts…

  • How Accurate Is a Polygraph Test?

    If you do a quick search on the internet to find out the accuracy of polygraph testing, you’ll find a wide range of figures – as low as 61% and as high as 100% – although most reputable sources will report somewhere between 85% and 95%. So why is there such a variation in the…

  • Why Membership in a Polygraph Professional Organization Is Important

    If you are looking for a polygraph expert, one of the first things you should look for is that they have a membership with a professional organization. This is important because in many states there are no laws on licensing polygraph examiners, so that means anyone can buy the equipment and claim to be an…

  • How Much Does a Polygraph Test Cost?

    If you are looking for a polygraph examiner, one of your primary concerns is likely the cost. You will find professionals offering a wide range of prices, but generally a specific-issue polygraph exam costs between $500 and $1,500. Fees charged by the same polygraph examiner can vary based on the complexity of the issue being…

  • Polygraph Test with a Translator

    I did a very challenging polygraph test in the Baltimore County Jail today. The examinee didn’t speak or understand English. I’ve done many tests that required a translator and most of these examinations were in Spanish. The test took almost four hours and almost every word we spoke had to go through the translator. I…

  • Polygraph Seminar NPA 2012

    I will be attending the National Polygraph Associaton’s annual seminar between January 22nd to the 25th.  I will be in touch with my office by phone and the Internet.  I might be a little slow in answering inquiries about polygraph. I will also be looking for qualified examiners that want to be beta testers for…

  • How Private Attorneys Use Polygraph Tests

    As a part of preparing a strong defense for their clients, many lawyers will enlist the help of a private polygraph examiner to submit their clients to the test. The lawyer may wish to show proof that their client is telling the truth, as well as to confirm or deny results that a law enforcement…

  • Polygraph Use in Immigration Cases

    Millions of people request the right to become permanent residents or citizens of the United States every year, but not all the requests can be granted. Often, much of the decision rests on the testimony of the individual making the request, and that’s where a polygraph examiner can come in. He or she can verify…

  • Are Polygraph Tests Accurate?

    Since the beginning of the polygraph in the early 1900s, there have been many advances in the technology and techniques used. With each development, the goal was to improve the accuracy of the device, although little research was done until a few decades ago. But today’s polygraph machines have been put to the test again…

  • Post-Conviction Sex Offender Treatment Testing

    Starting in 1990, a growing number of states have developed special polygraph testing programs to monitor convicted sex offenders after they’ve been released back into the community. These court-ordered programs include periodic testing as a condition of the sex offender’s probation and/or parole, and are meant to assist in their treatment and reduce recidivism. In…

  • What Is a Domestic Polygraph Test?

    Most of us are familiar with polygraph – or lie detector – testing. We’ve seen police administer polygraph tests to potential criminals in movies and television shows, hoping to prove their guilt by showing that they are lying. Sometimes lie detector tests even pop up on daytime talk shows when a husband wants to prove…

  • Polygraph Question about Test

    Question about Pre-employment Polygraph Testing: I am a social worker with a client who is scheduled to take a polygraph with the Maryland Sheriff’s Dept. on Wednesday.  He’s received the pre-screening questions & is troubled by the question concerning having sex with animals.  He explained to me that, while he was a young boy, he…

  • Cheating Wife

    Cheating Girlfriend This case involved a 45 year old woman named Judy;  she has been living in a committed relationship for 16 years  with her boyfriend Bill.  They have been living together for the last 16 years and have a young child.  Because Bill’s last wife left him for another man, Bills becomes easily suspicious…

  • Sexual Child Abuse

    Grandfather accused of Sexual Child Abuse A 69 year old grandfather was accused of sexually abusing his two young grandchildren.  The case was reported and investigated by the State Social Services.  After the investigation was concluded the charges were found to be unsubstantiated.  This means that there was not enough evidence to charge the grandfather…