Inconclusive Results

[tjkii24]

I took a polygraph today, and the examiner told me I had inconclusive results, he gave me a hard time about by breathing and told me I kept moving my arms. I told the truth, I was nervous as hell because my freedom is on the line but he said the results were inconclusive. What does this mean? Can they bust me on inconclusive, and am I not normal for being nervous when threatened with Texas state prison?

[George W. Maschke]

It is perfectly normal for a person threatened with going to prison to be nervous. It is also perfectly normal for an invalid "test" like the polygraph to produce erroneous results.

An inconclusive result means that reactions to relevant and "control" questions were about the same. You'll find a brief description of polygraph procedure on the AntiPolygraph.org home page and a much more detailed description in Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.

Polygraph results are generally not admissible as evidence in a court of law. However, if you are in a post-conviction polygraph program, the results may affect your freedom. I think it would be best to consult a lawyer in this regard.