The Top Three Questions about a Lie Detector Tests

Question #1:
He or she is very smart and I want to know is it possible that they can "fool" the machine or beat the polygraph?

Answer:
Anyone can be fooled by someone's lie and facial mannerisms or other gestures that are not as reliable as a professional polygraph examination. Feelings and "personal impressions" are not considered at Texas Polygraph Counselors. We rely on the methodology and in the 21st Century we have a number of checks and balances that help us derive at a professional opinion of truth or deception. People can try to manipulate the polygraph and there are a lot of goofy things on the Internet, however, we keep up with these issues too and usually these amateur attempts are caught by the modern computer polygraph or by the licensed examiner.

Question #2:
How much will the test cost?

Answer:
Professional fees for a private issue or domestic infidelity examination administered by a reliable and licensed examiner is usually $300.00 or more in the Dallas area. Don't pay less without first meeting the examiner in person or taking a tour of the office and examination lab. A criminal case or someone charged with a violation or under investigation is usually $900.00 or more plus you have to agree to pay for any court time if the examiner is subpoenaed later. Employee theft cases are usually $250.00 each and involve multiple people taking a lie detector test. Some discounts can apply for business owners.

Question #3:
How many questions may I ask?

Answer:
Several questions can be asked but they must be of the same topic or issue being examined. A valid polygraph examinations includes three or four types of questions as called for in the methodology but this is where your examiner can help during the pre-test interview.

How much is a professional lie detector test in Dallas?

Standard professional fees for Dallas polygraph examinations depend on the type of issue being tested and range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand. For example a private issue or domestic infidelity test for one person is nearly always $300.00 and add another $100.00 if both parties participate. Some discounts apply for business owners only when they have multiple suspects in employee theft matters. Criminal cases begin at $900.00 and go to $1,200.00 or more if the client is incarcerated.

Do I have to pay a deposit?

NO! Texas Polygraph Counselors do not require a deposit however all examinations will be pre-paid on line with a credit card (from your PC) or at the time of the appointment in cash. Most reputable firms will post a Google map to their office for you to review the location before you make an appointment.

How may I pay for a lie detector test?

At Texas Polygraph Counselors in Dallas our fees are posted on the web-site at www.texaspolygraphcounselors.comfor all to see. Clients know what to expect and they have the option of paying on line with a credit card, PayPal or in cash before any service is rendered (you are not required to have a PayPal account).

There are no refunds, however, if you have to miss your appointment time we will re-set for you at no additional charge. These policies are industry standards which help avoid any suggestion of bias.

What if I can't afford to pay all at once?

If you are employed and have good personal identification some clients are allowed to make down payments and pay the rest out over time.

What about professional facilities?

The up-scale prestige of a class "A" office tower and lab location near the Galleria Mall in Dallas usually tell you more about the high standards of the licensed examiner rather than the professional fees. For example Texas Polygraph Counselors is based in the ClearChannel Building (see map) in north Dallas yet our fees are very reasonable.

What about a VSA, CVSA or Voice Stress Analysis?

NO! Do not be fooled by these "toys"! In Texas only a state licensed polygraph examiner may legally examine someone for the purpose of verifying the truth of a particular statement. The so-called CVSA "machines" do not have any scientific support and no reputable federal agency relies on any of their claims.

How accurate is a real polygraph examination?

Let's start with the understanding that while the polygraph technique is not infallible, research clearly indicates that when administered by a competent examiner, the polygraph test is the most accurate means available to determine truth and deception. U.S. Government studies have concluded that the single-issue test conducted properly by a qualified examiner is 87 to 95 percent accurate.

What about Examinations conducted in Spanish?

Yes, Texas Polygraph Counselors in Dallas have experienced translators that assist with Spanish language tests when necessary. There is a minimum added fee of $100.00 for this service.