Ways to Pass a Lie Detector Test
- Breathing response is one of the parameters measured by a polygraph. Control questions are asked by polygraph examiners and the responses to these questions are used as a basis of comparison for responses to relevant questions. Negative answers to these questions are considered untruthful; if the responses to the control questions are greater than the responses to relevant questions, then the person being tested passes. Keep your breathing normal throughout the whole examination. If you detect a control question, breathe more slowly for about a quarter of a minute after the question to exaggerate your response. Other ways to exaggerate breathing response are holding your breath for five seconds or taking several shallow breaths. Before the next question, your breathing should be back to normal.
- Heart rate and blood pressure are other parameters monitored by a polygraph. You can learn to make your heart rate increase or your blood pressure rise using techniques that will not be detected by the polygraph examiner. Perform this when you are asked control questions as this will set the baseline for whether you will pass or fail the test. If your control question measurements are artificially raised, then it will make any signs of lying -- which also causes a spike in the numbers -- appear normal. One way to do this includes using your imagination and thinking of fear-invoking situations. If this trick does not work for you, you can also induce pain by biting your tongue or any other physical means that will not make you flinch. When you have detected a control question, carry out whichever method works better for you.
- Prepare for the lie detector examination by researching possible relevant questions. If the polygraph test is being done for employment purposes, being familiar with the company's employee handbook may be helpful. Lie detector tests done for solving crimes, on the other hand, usually contain questions as to who are the perpetrators, and how they committed the crime. Make sure that you can identify the type of questions. Questions given during polygraph tests can be divided into three categories: control, relevant and irrelevant. Preparing and practicing to identify these categories can make it easier to beat a polygraph. Relevant questions deal with the main reason why you are being asked to take the polygraph test; irrelevant questions will be completely unrelated and impossible to prepare for. Prepare to answer relevant questions in the same manner as the irrelevant and control questions.
- Polygraph tests are designed and given to make you feel uneasy, so be sure to relax and condition your "frame of thought" at least a day before the test. Consider the polygraph test as a kind of job interview in which you have to present your ideal character. Be mindful of your gestures and facial expressions as well as mannerisms. This will help you control the emotion that you want the polygraph to record. Remember to give direct answers and to avoid answering in long sentences or giving long explanations. You may lose some focus while answering at length; your heart rate and breathing then may change as a result of your lost concentration.