Hi.  I just found this site a little while ago, and I thought I would tell my experience with a polygraph test.  I have been dating my fiance for nearly three years, and I had a suspicion she might be cheating on me.  Never any concrete evidence, just weird suspicion.  We have begun discussing the wedding, and I felt this test would help put to rest all suspicion, and allow me to feel 100% confident in our decision.

I found the examiner online.  He said he was very qualified.  He graduated from USC (South Carolina) with a major in psychology. He also graduated from a polygraph school (dont remember the name).  He had a liscence in the state of Georgia when it was required as well.   

He got to the house and sat down with my fiance and I.  He went over the process of the test, and showed us all of the instruments.  I told him the only question I wanted to ask was if she had had sexual activity with anyone other than me since we began dating, June 2007.  So, he came up with these questions:

1. Is your name Ashley.
2. Is today Friday.
3. Have you ever had sexual relations with anyone other than your fiance since you have begun dating, June 2007.

Well, she failed the 3rd question.  He says he has no doubt something has happened, and he's sorry he has to tell me this. I was just wondering if this is the normal practice, I hate to risk our relationship on what could be a false positive.

I understand what you are saying.  I dont understand the reasoning though.  If what you are saying is true, how does anyone ever pass a lie detector test?  Wouldn't the pertinent questions elicit stronger emotional reactions?  I'm not trying to reject your response, I'm trying to find any reason to disregard this test.  I am not naive, it is what it is.  I just want to make sure I have exhausted every avenue before making a decision on the validity of this test.  Your advice is much appreciated.

One thing I did not mention was that he repeated the test three times.  Each time, the third question was higher than the irrelevant response.  I have read through the ebook you referred me to, as well as several other studies.  What I have gathered is the polygraph is inaccurate due to differences in many different factors. The relevant-irrelevant test is said to be out dated.  I cant help but feel I am looking for any reason to discredit this test, instead of being objective.

One thing that didn't sit well was after the test, I called the tester with several questions.  He tells me "hindsight being 20/20, if he were to do the test again, he would have asked more questions to narrow down the time and type of offense."  It was as if he knew the first test was inadequate, but he would be more than happy to conduct a second test, for a second fee.

Again, do I sound crazy, or are these legitimate questions.  To sum up, after reading a bit, I feel this guy was out to make more money.  If he tells me everything is good with the test, he leaves and thats it. He knows if he does little the first time, I may call back requesting a second test to verify what type of relationship etc.  He keeps telling me he would do it this way the second time.  

On the other hand, I dont want to forget the issue at hand.  It is not the tester I have an issue with, it is my fiance.  I just dont want to destroy a relationship over a BS test. Is there any validity to these tests?