Why Is There So Much Controversy Around Polygraph Testing?

Important Disclaimer: This post isn’t meant to paint all critics of polygraph testing as dishonest, nor to say that every polygraph examiner is perfect. Like any field, ours includes both the highly skilled and the poorly trained. The goal of this blog is to explore why public opinion on polygraph testing is so sharply divided, and what you should know if you’re considering a test for yourself or someone else.

A Brief History of the Polygraph

To understand the controversy, it helps to know where polygraph testing began.

The origins of the polygraph test date back to 1895, when Italian criminologist Cesare Lombroso conducted scientific experiments measuring changes in blood volume during questioning.

Then came Harvard-educated psychologist William Moulton Marston, who developed the first systolic blood pressure test for lie detection—a key component of the early “lie detector.” Interestingly enough, Marston was also a self-help author and comic book writer, best known for creating the character Wonder Woman.

John Augustus Larson, a police forensic scientist from Berkeley, California, who held a Ph.D. in Psychology and later earned his M.D., built upon Marston’s original systolic blood pressure test by incorporating additional measurements, including pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity, to create a comprehensive multi-sensor lie detection device. Larson was the first to use a polygraph in a case that ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1923.

Later, Leonard Keeler modernized the instrument, co-inventing what became the modern polygraph by developing the cardio-pneumo components and integrating the physiological measurements originally introduced by John Larson. By the 1990s, polygraph instruments transitioned to digital technology, a version still widely used today across both government and private sectors.

Where the Negativity Comes From

The strongest critics of polygraph testing tend to fall into two groups:

1. Those who failed their polygraph exam after being dishonest.

Many people arrive at their polygraph with the intention to deceive. When the results expose outright lies, these individuals often blame the test, not themselves.

2. Those who had a bad experience with an unqualified, inexperienced polygraph examiner.

Unfortunately, not all polygraph examiners are the same. Inexperience, poorly worded questions, flawed protocols, or personal bias can lead to inaccurate results and a damaging experience.

Beyond that, some people simply don’t trust the science. Others have seen their lives unravel, losing jobs, custody, or relationships, after a failed test. For them, polygraph testing is permanently linked to loss and trauma.

Where the Positivity Comes From

Many others walk away from polygraph testing feeling relief, validation, and peace of mind.

These are the people who:

• Knew they were telling the truth, and the test results confirmed it.

• Felt respected by an experienced, professional examiner who was non-judgmental, unbiased, and genuinely cared about the issue at hand.

When done right, with an experienced, highly trained, and ethical examiner, polygraph testing can be an incredibly powerful tool to restore trust, resolve conflict, and uncover the truth.

Hear Both Sides: A Conversation with Polygraph Skeptic, George Maschke

The debate around polygraph testing isn't just theoretical—it’s personal, emotional, and often polarizing. That’s why we recently invited George Maschke, co-founder of AntiPolygraph.org, to join David on our podcast, Inside the Polygraph.

In this episode, David sits down with the most prominent advocate against polygraph testing to have an open, honest conversation about the controversy.

AntiPolygraph.org is a non-profit public interest site dedicated to exposing what it views as waste, fraud, and abuse in the use of polygraphs and other so-called lie detectors.

Do you question polygraphs? Think they’re unreliable or even total BS? Then this episode is for you.

Listen now to hear both perspectives—from someone who’s spent decades administering polygraphs, and someone who’s spent decades fighting against them.

The “What Ifs” That Fuel Polygraph Anxiety

If you're being sent to a pre-employment polygraph for a government position, law enforcement investigation, or corporate screening, you often don’t have a say in who your examiner is.

You also won’t know whether that examiner is highly experienced or not. In many cases, you're taking your chances and hoping the examiner is competent, professional, and unbiased.

This uncertainty is where anxiety kicks in, often more than the exam itself. The “what ifs” start creeping in:

• What if I’m telling the truth, but the examiner says I failed?

• What if the machine says I’m lying, even though I know I’m not?

• What if the examiner doesn’t like my tattoos, my appearance, or how I answer—will that affect the results?

These are valid concerns. And they’re why examiner experience and professionalism matter more than most people realize.

Examiners are not supposed to be biased or judgmental. They are trained to remain neutral and focus solely on uncovering the facts related to the issue being tested.

That said, just like in any profession, not all examiners uphold that standard. Bias, inexperience, or careless errors can, and sometimes do, occur.

It’s rare, but it’s real. And it’s one more reason why choosing the right examiner matters.

Why There Will Always Be A Divide Around Polygraph Testing

Some people lose everything after failing a polygraph—jobs, marriages, custody, freedom. Understandably, they walk away resentful. For those individuals, polygraph testing becomes a symbol of blame, focused on the test’s accuracy or the examiner’s conduct.

Others gain everything from a polygraph—peace of mind, vindication, custody of their children, or a renewed sense of control in their lives. For them, the polygraph becomes a tool of justice.

That’s why the divide will always exist.

Your perspective on the polygraph depends on what it gave you or what it took away.

Final Thoughts: The Truth Is Yours

No one can force you to believe in polygraph testing. Just like no one can force you to accept a truth you’re not ready to hear.

But if you know the truth, and a polygraph test can help you prove it, don’t let fear or others’ opinions hold you back. Trust your instincts. Do your research. And choose a qualified, experienced examiner who will treat your situation with the seriousness and integrity it deserves.

Ready to Take a Polygraph Test?

Work with a nationally trusted expert.

Connect with Mr. David Goldberg, founder of Executive Protection Group and a Virginia State-Licensed, Advanced Board-Certified Polygraph Examiner. With over 30 years of combined experience in investigative work and polygraph science, Mr. Goldberg is trusted by clients across the country for his professionalism, compassion, and unmatched expertise.

Based in Virginia Beach, we proudly serve clients not only across Virginia but throughout the country. Mr. Goldberg is highly sought after by individuals and professionals nationwide and is available to travel for private, on-site polygraph examinations in all matters of importance.

At Executive Protection Group Polygraph Service, our mission is simple: to eliminate doubt, uncover the truth, and provide you with the clarity and confidence to move forward.

Take the first step toward truth, resolution, and freedom—with Executive Protection Group Polygraph Service.

To learn more about how we can support you, visit our website or call today to schedule your private, professional polygraph examination.

Because when the truth matters most, the examiner you hire matters too.