POLYGRAPH AND INFIDELITY: CAN LIE DETECTORS CATCH CHEATING PARTNERS IN LIES?
Polygraph examination is often used by couples, where one person suspects their partner is cheating on them or being unfaithful.
Polygraph or lie detector examinations can help rebuild relationships by exonerating innocent parties – or provide closure by confirming suspicions that their partner is being untruthful.
Here are two recent examples of couples who have submitted to polygraph examinations and how they used it in resolving conflicts within their relationships.
Polygraph experience one: a wife’s infidelity and redemption
An examinee came to see me in 2021, eager to prove she was faithful to her husband. I administered the American Polygraph Association accredited test according to strict APA standards. The results came back as “Deception Indicated” which means she was not truthful about her denial of the affair. After failing the test, the examinee admitted to both her partner and me that she lied on the test because she indeed did cheat on him. The examinee and partner decided to work together and repair the relationship.
A year later, the examinee returned to take another test. This time, to show her husband she had been faithful in the intervening period between polygraph tests. Again, I asked questions in line with APA best practices. I produced three polygraph charts during the in-test phase of the examination. The wife this time scored no deception. In essence, she passed the test and was able to demonstrate she had been faithful to her husband during that year.
Polygraph experience two: to confirm or dismiss suspicions of a husband
An examinee and partner consulted me after the aggrieved partner found lewd messages between the examinee and a work colleague on the examinee’s phone dating back a few years. At the time, the examinee and partner’s relationship was going through challenges and upon reflection, the partner suspects it may have been due to the examinee’s cheating on her with this colleague.
The examinee and partner argued about these texts frequently. To put an end to the conflict, they came to see me as a final resort.
I formulated questions to address the specific issue under investigation. I followed all APA protocols and crafted inquiries to eliminate any misinterpretation or rationalisation; e.g., an examinee may insist “I never had a sexual relationship” with someone, which can be selectively interpreted as having an emotional connection instead of just having sex. Remember President Bill Clinton: in his mind, he “never had a sexual relationship” with Monica Lewinsky, as it was never an intimate relationship and just a meaningless “fling”, by his own internal definition. The same goes for “sleeping” with someone, a common euphemism for sex. In the open, does that mean having (some type of) sexual intercourse or merely sharing a bed with someone?
Using concrete, unchanging definitions is important in polygraph examination. Words are ripe pickings for rationalisation and deliberate confusion by examinees, as people can attach different connotations to words we use on the test.
With all that in mind, the examinee passed the test, eliminating the suspicion and bringing them closer to rebuilding their relationship.
Why couples submit to polygraph examination
As shown above, the polygraph is a highly accurate tool in determining deception or truthfulness. It’s even more accurate than many forensic and medical diagnostic tools, which we discuss in detail here.
Polygraph examinations are scientifically controlled and can give clear results of whether an examinee is lying or telling the truth. It can help strengthen a relationship – or allow a partner to get definitive answers and give the aggrieved party clarity to make their next steps.
If you want to put a conflict about infidelity or cheating to rest for good, contact Polygraph Australia today to set up an examination. We are transparent, discreet, and accurate – and we can travel to you in some cases. Contact APA certified examiner Cristelle here.