We Tried To Beat A Lie Detector Test

You’ve probably seen this device before.  This is a “polygraph” -- which is more popularly known as a lie detector test. But just how often it can catch you in a lie is shrouded in controversy.

Regardless, thousands of polygraphs are given each year in the US, alone, for everything from government clearance screening to witness verification. And the power of these machine’s results is not taken lightly. People have reportedly lost their jobs and even reputations over a failed exam. But how exactly does this machine work, and is it really as accurate as polygraph examiners claim?

To find out, we decided to put the polygraphs to the test ourselves. Polygraph results haven’t been accepted in most state courts since 1923. Mainly because:

Francis Shen: “The scientific research suggests that the polygraph has significant scientific problems. That is, it may not give us the level of accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity that we think it will, and that could be problematic.”

Still, many defenders contest that even though the polygraph isn’t 100% accurate, neither is DNA testing or eye-witness testimonies.

Lisa Gentile: "Do you intend to answer each question truthfully?"

Jessica Orwig: "Yes."

Now what the examiner may, or may not know, is that I’ve already told my first lie.

Lisa Gentile: "Have you used any illegal drugs in the last three years?"

Jessica Orwig: "No."

Lisa Gentile: "Did you ever commit a serious crime? Were you ever terminated from a job that you did not disclose? In your whole life did you ever do something you're ashamed of? In your whole life did you ever lose your temper? Are the lights on in this room?"

Ok, the test is over. Let's see if she caught my lie.

Lisa Gentile: "You're more relaxed, it goes down. Then when it begins here it goes back up again, so that's a lie."

So, yup, the polygraph caught me.

Now to be clear, this type of test is normally administered for a job interview, meaning the stakes are lower and the accuracy rate is lower. And it caught me anyway. But it’s hard to know if this is the case for your average person.

Even though I worked on controlling my breathing, what really got me was my increased heartbeat, perspiration, and blood pressure. So who knows what would have happened if I spent time learning how to maintain those things? And that uncertainty is pretty much why polygraphs aren't accepted in most states because it's known that people have and can beat the polygraph.

Francis Shen: “I’m of two minds about the polygraph. I have serious reservations about its use. But I can see that it might have some utility in some but not all contexts and I think we need to be pretty conservative and cautious about its use.”

[Mehhh_z]

Im scared they think im lying so my heart beat faster

[syfyvoid]

I feel bad for everyone on the Steve Wilkos show who actually were telling the truth and failed!

[debrarufini]

So how would it work for someone like me who has anxiety attacks? And, how would it work on a pathological liar who believes their own lies?

[djbdyckfbsgsg]

Probably not. It's why it is not accepted as concrete evidence in court.

[kilometers]

Didn't even watch the video, and I already know its no.

[endxqpk]

"Are you sitting down?"
"No."

[mattrix]

if they were so accurate we wouldnt have jury's in court. period.

[canyouhelpme]

It's easy to beat a polygraph when there are low or no stakes, as in this case. There is no firing from your job or prison time on the line, so lying about everything won't make her nervous due to there being literally no consequence for the lies being potentially discovered.

[Aftertaste_]

What if the person is extremely nervous when they are in those kind of situations? Would the machine just show the person as a terrible liar?

[normankillian-uk]

Try to avoid taking a polygraph. I was subjected to one about two years ago and failed. I know I answered truthfully on all the questions but I was very nervous. Having that blood pressure cuff on your arm made me tense. The examiner, a woman, told me I was being deceptive. She said if I told the truth the chart would look better. I insisted I was telling the truth but she didn't believe me.

[choog]

There was serial killers who beat it by being calm. Shows how untrue this machine is.

[lilbean]

It just measures your blood pressure, sweat, heart beat, etc.

[ourempire]

If I'm asked a question about a subject where I am being accused of a crime I'm going to be nervous as soon as the topic is braught up wether I am guilty or not

[kalijasin]

The wife more accurate Lie detector. 😂

[ahmadkaled]

Few points:
1. That guy's sound is like a robot. You know, the computer robots that people use in their videos if they don't wanna use their voice.
2. Does anyone know where or how to bye one of these machines, or even rent it?

[kramericaindustries]

Well the questions are dumb. They ask, "is this your name?" Then they use that as a basis of determining if you are lying about killing someone or whatever." Obviously you won't be nervous to say, "yes" about your name and will be nervous for more serious questions

[lwells]

What they should do for court usage is explain how polygraphs are generally correct but really push that they aren't always right. Then say for a murder trial present to the jury with the polygraph results after explaining how they aren't always right. So that it may help them decide, but shouldn't be a deciding factor.

[SuperChangetheworld]

Let a narcissist do the test they will beat it lol

[CarFreeSegnitz]

Doesn't work so well with psychopaths and sociopaths... precisely the kind of people you want to screen against. Probably gives a false positive when the question is emotional, ie "did your pet dog die in the past year".

[benjamino.]

And it doesn‘t work if you have lied to yourself so much that you actually believe it. Often prominent in criminals