Let me add that I am being accused of something i did with someon over the age of 18.   

I have been reading the post since my first and don't want to seem like this is a minor sex offense.

This supposedly happened at work between me and someone else.

Does anyone know the law for virginia for private polygraphs?

I understand what you are saying about not signing a waiver, but wouldn't this "upset" the polygrapher and therefore harm my chances at the truth?  Wouldn't this also make me look guilty?  Under the impression of "if i have nothing to hide, why won't I sign it?"

I am so confused and now this poly nightmare could damn well cost me my marriage to my wife.

Dear Damned-Already.......first of all, you should know that the people from who you seek advice are people who have had less than favorable outcomes with a polygraph test that they took.  They are not polygraph examiners.  In fact, they often are engage in verbal fisticuffs with at least one disgruntled former polygraph examiner who sponsors a competing site (please note anti-polygraph is non-profit and the other is "for profit").  They make it sound to those who write in (such as yourself) that they are  "experts" in the fiedl.  They are not, and you should be cautioned.  In fact, watch and they will attack me on this post, demanding my proof that the polyygraph works.  That is not what you are seeking.  True, they have done a fair amount of literature type research (no clinical research mind you) and they posses a broad spectrum of polygraph literature (some of it very dated).  They have published a rather lengthy treatise (available as a download on this site) which among other things provides instruction on how to perform countermeasures.  Why an innocent person would want to do anything to affect the outcome of ANY test still escapes me...but that is their position.  Oddly enough, I wouldtend to agree with at least part of Mr. Mascke's statement, but for a very different reason.  Yes, I am a polygraph examiner, and in situations in which what it sounds like you are describing, I would not recommend a polygraph.  Not that it doesn't work, but issues such as this are best resolved through counselling.  It sounds as if your wife does not trust you and believes whoever or however she came to be in possession of information that you were unfaithful to her. I assume I am correct on the scenario, but if not please advise.  As with any diagnostic test, there is always the possibility of a false positive result.  Most polygraph examiners do everything in their power to avoid this, and certainly to reduce the possibility, but it would just not be possible to say that it CANNOT occur. You sound skeptical about taking a polygraph and certainly less than pleased that your wife is making this demand of you.  Things like that MAY very well impact on the outcome of a polygraph.  There are a number of variables to conside, but my personal belief is that you and your wife need to resolve this matter through counseling.  If the outcome is not what you expect (for whatever reason), you will not be pleased.  If it is not what your wife expects, she willnot be pleased and you will be right back where you started.  Trust is something that should be inherent in a marriage.  At the risk of sounding like Dear Abby, work on that trust and do not depend on disgruntled people to advise you.

Dear Damned_Already; am I correct in assuming that this is a fidelity issue between you and your wife?  If so, then my original advice stands and I would ask you to note, as I have told you, those who are frequent denizens of this site have qued up to give you advice regarding the admissibility of polygraph EVIDENCE. Although I cannot say for sure, I am reasonably sure that none of them are attorneys, with the possible exception of Mark Mallah.  If I am correct on my presumption, you and your wife have an issue that you wish to resolve and a polygraph is being considered as the means to that resolution.  If I am incorrect and this is a criminal issue and you wish to take a polygraph to assert your non-involvement, do it through your attorney.  He should be able to identify and engage the services of a polygraph examiner for you in your geographical region.  Advise him to call one of the national polygraph organizations for a referral to an examiner in your area.  I would encourage you to employ the services of a fully licensed and appropriately trained examiner.  Unfortunately, not all states require licensing and at this point I do not know where you are located.  I am not sure if Mr. Maschke has provided a link to any of them, but you are certainly invited to contact the American Polygraph Association at 800-272-8037. They will gladly provide you with the name and contact information of a member examiner in your area.  I hope this has been some help to you.

Damned_already, I apologize.  You are seeking advice and I am certain you had no intention of ending up on the observing end of Beech Trees "ad-homimen" arguments (that's one of the terms they like to banter about).  As you can see, they (or at least Beech Trees) is trying to lay out information in legalese.  The closest he came was when he acknowledged that his "crew" are "well-meaning"...not sure what he meant by "well researched" because few (and I meam 1 or 2) of them are actually researchers (there are opponents of polygraph to be sure, but at least they have sense enough not to sully their names and reputations on this site) who have engaged in scientifically based research.  That acknowledgement should help you make a decision.  Remember what I said that apparently Beech Trees did not see, I recommended counseling over a polygraph in a fidelity issue.  Again best of luck.  I will register under "Torpedo" in the event you wish to send me a private message and offer you what assistance I may.

damned_already,

Above is the haughty, arrogant and condescending attitude you can expect from your polygraph interrogator should you actually dare to challenge his authority with honest, pointed questions concerning the validity of the polygraph prior to your interrogation.