Polygraph Services

SERVICES

 

 

What is a Polygraph?

It is a test used to verify a person's truthfulness and is often called a "Lie Detector Test".

The polygraph is an instrument that records physical response in the human body when a person fails to tell the truth. It is based on scientific research done over the past 100 years and incorporates the disciplines of applied anatomy, physiology and psychophysiology.

 

Why Polygraph?

The spinal of criminal activity in and out of the workplace has seen polygraph testing increased dramatically as the crime rate escalates and crime in the workplace increases. The admissibility of polygraph testing within the employment relations context in South Africa is seen as a critical issue. South African employers are increasingly turning to polygraph testing as a means of, not only to detect dishonesty in the workplace, but also in the hope that pre-employment and in-employment screening will prevent, or at least determine, theft and fraud discovery and syndicate crime. There is a wide spread of polygraph testing, particularly in the information for technology, retail, security, mining and banking industries. The polygraph is seen to be a quick and cost effective tool in the fight against crime within the working.

 

Is there any law controlling use of polygraph in South Africa? 

Polygraph testing is a fairly new concept in South Africa, especially in disputes relating to employment relationships.  There is no legislation at this point to control the use of the test or to protect the employee's right against the abuse of the test.

 

Can one be compelled to undergo a polygraph test?

It is against the Constitution of South Africa to compel a person to undergo a polygraph examination, unless she or he consents to it.  The consent must be in writing. 

The individual should be informed that:

• the examination are voluntary;

• only questions discussed prior to the examination will be used;

• should he/she prefer, another person may be present during the examination, provided that person does not interfere in any way with the proceedings;

• no abuse in whatever way will be allowed;

• no discrimination will be allowed;

• no threats will be allowed.

 

When is the employer permitted to use polygraph?

Generally, employers are permitted to use the polygraph to investigate specific incidents where -

• employees had access to the property which is the subject of the investigation;

• there is a reasonable suspicion that the employee was involved in the incident;

• there has been economic loss or injury to the employer's business like theft of company property;

• the employer is combating dishonesty in positions of trust;

• the employer is combating serious alcohol, illegal drugs or narcotics abuse and fraudulent behaviour within the company;

• the employer is combating deliberate falsification of documents and lies regarding true identity of the people involved.

PDD (Psychophysiological Detection of Deception)

Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD) is the process of determining if a person is attempting to deceive or being truthful to an issue under investigation.  Unconscious conflicts between your ID and Superego cause inner tension.

Theory of PDD

The fear of detection of deception (lying) will cause changes in the body, at or near the point in time of the deception.  A trained Polygraph Examiner can diagnose these changes.

 

Who gets the polygraph test results?

Polygraph results cannot be released to any person but to an authorised person.  Generally it is the person who has undergone the polygraph test (examinee), or anyone specifically designated in writing by the examinee, firm, corporation or government agency that requested the examination.

 

What is the status of polygraph test at CCMA?

Polygraphists have been accepted as expert witnesses whose evidence needs to be tested for reliability.  The duty of the commissioner is to determine the admissibility and reliability of the evidence.  Polygraph test may not be interpreted as implying guilt but may be regarded as an aggravating factor especially where there is other evidence of misconduct.  In other words, polygraph test results, on their own, are not a basis for a finding of guilt.  It can be used only in support of other evidence.

The polygraph examination is used in conjunction with, not as a substitute for a thorough investigation.  Forensic psycho physiological evidence may be utilized to verify, corroborate or refute statements, obtain additional investigative leads, narrow or focus criminal investigations, serve to screen candidates for placement in sensitive positions and to assist in internal investigations.

 

The most valuable aspect of the investigative use of polygraph testing is to exonerate the innocent implicated by circumstantial evidence.  Polygraph testing is also very helpful when investigating matters involving multiple suspects by eliminating suspects and narrowing the focus of the investigation.  Regardless of the circumstances in which polygraph testing is used the test results are not the sole basis on which decisions are made, polygraph results are used in conjunction with other screening or investigative methods.