Differences Between Screening & Diagnostic Exams

Our polygraph examiners at Ferland and Ranhoff Professional Associates have extensive experience administering diagnostic and screening polygraph examinations. Diagnostic Polygraph Examinations differ from Screening Examinations, such as Pre-Employment or Post Conviction Sex Offender Examinations in that Screening Examinations focus questions on an examinee’s different behaviors. For example, the focus of the examination questions may be specific to driving under the influence of alcohol, thefts, or cheating in school, each of which has completely different behavioral targets.

Although Polygraph Screening Examinations have proven to have high accuracy, Single Issue and Single Issue Specific Polygraph Examinations have proven to be the most accurate examinations available to the polygraph profession. Single Issue Polygraph Examinations focus specific questions on one’s behavior, like the circumstances associated with an armed robbery.

Questions in this type of example might focus on different facets of the event. For example, taking money from the bank teller, pointing a gun at the teller, and possibly driving the getaway car. All of these target questions revolve around a Single Issue or Event.

A Specific Issue Polygraph Examination only differs slightly from a Single Issue Examination. The questions in a Single Issue Examination focus on only one or single behavior of the alleged conduct. For example, did the examinee point a gun at the teller?

This information is important for our clients to understand when requesting our polygraph services. Our examiners are proven experts in administering polygraph examinations. This will provide guidance and advice on what type of test will best address our client’s needs.

For our clients who have pending criminal charges and want to take a polygraph examination through their attorney, it is important to understand that polygraph results are admissible in many different courts outside of Maine.

The polygraph examiner’s background, training, experience, and type of polygraph examination utilized were important factors in this ruling. We bring this to our client’s attention so that an informed decision can be made when deciding which type of polygraph examination should be utilized.

Our examiners at Ferland and Ranhoff Professional Associates are ready to provide polygraph examinations to our clients to resolve issues concerning civil, criminal, pre-employment, Post-Conviction Sexual Offender Examinations or any other appropriate issues where polygraph examination would be beneficial. We are polygraph professionals committed to Quality, Professionalism, and Excellence.