Careers in Criminal Justice: Becoming a Polygraph Examiner

A polygraph test is the technical term for what many people know as a "lie detector test." It is performed by attaching sensors to a person’s skin, and measuring the person’s physiological responses, including heart rate, perspiration, and respiration, while they are responding to a series of questions. The polygraph machine records a series of lines on a piece of paper, and this pattern can later be examined to determine whether the individual’s responses were truthful.

 

A polygraph examiner is trained to read these test results, and to determine the meaning of the patterns recorded by the machine. The polygraph results are related to the individuals’ mental state during the exam, and the way in which their thoughts affect their bodies physically. Thus, individuals interested in jobs in criminal justice related to psychology may be interested in a career as a polygraph examiner.

Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies use polygraph tests in their investigations. Polygraph tests are also used in the private sector. Becoming a polygraph examiner is one of several careers in criminal justice that involves interviewing suspects and witnesses to gain information in a criminal investigation. The polygraph examiner is responsible for administering the polygraph and monitoring the equipment. He or she is also responsible for formulating questions to use in the test, with assistance from the law enforcement professional conducting the investigation. When testing a suspect or witness, an investigator involved with the case is usually present in case the examiner needs any assistance. Finally, the polygraph examiner will interpret the test results and provide a written report of the findings.

 

Polygraph examiners may provide testimony in court by reporting the results of their testing in a criminal or civil case. However, admissibility of polygraph test results is variable. Research indicates that competent polygraph examiners can determine truth and deception with a high degree of accuracy. However, the use of polygraph test in certain settings remains controversial.

 

Legislation prohibits private companies from using pre-employment polygraph testing in many states. However, polygraph examiners may conduct pre-employment testing for law enforcement jobs, both local and national. Criminal background check data provides important information, but a polygraph test can provide more insight with specific questions. Though it is possible to get free criminal background checks online, employers in the field of law enforcement may also administer polygraph tests to potential hires.

Salary for polygraph examiners varies widely depending on experience, location, and job responsibilities. Trained polygraph examiners can expect to make anywhere from $30-80,000 annually. Polygraph examiners may also have the opportunity to take on extra work, as private companies or law enforcement agencies who do not have full-time polygraph examiners may still occasionally need their services.

Many states require licensure or certification for polygraph examiners, which may include formal training and/or a supervised training period. Some employers may ask that you have experience in interviewing or interrogation, or prior experience administering and analyzing polygraph tests. A degree in a related criminal justice field is usually preferred. Medical and psychological testing, as well as a background check, are often required for work in high-security settings, such as the CIA. Other employers may require a writing sample, or an oral or written test.

 

In addition to these requirements, polygraph examiners must possess certain basic skills and qualities. The polygraph examiner must be familiar with the polygraph equipment and reading and interpreting test results produced by the machine. Polygraph examiners must also exercise discretion when interviewing. They may work with confidential information, and they must be able to remain impartial when interviewing individuals so as not to affect the results of the test.

A career as a polygraph examiner will likely begin with a combination of training and supervised on-the-job observation and experience. Polygraph examiners are often required to begin as supervisees of a senior, more experienced polygraph examiner. A career as a polygraph examiner may also begin with other jobs in criminal justice. Individuals who have done field work in law enforcement, such as police work, may later decide they want to become polygraph examiners.

 

Specific agencies have requirements for advancements to the next step on the pay scale or to increasing levels of responsibility. For example, an individual may have to maintain a certain level of performance for a prescribed period of time in order to move on to the next step on the pay scale. Advancement may also be contingent on completion of continuing education training.

There are several professional organizations that polygraph examiners may join. These include: