Polygraph for Alleged Victims of Sexual Abuse and Violence
Statement-focused investigative assessment
Carefully conducted investigative polygraph examinations focused on the credibility and consistency of a specific disclosure, account or written statement.
The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience may consider polygraph examinations in carefully selected cases involving alleged victims of sexual abuse or violence. The purpose is limited to assisting in the assessment of the credibility and consistency of a specific disclosure, account or written statement.
A Carefully Limited Investigative Role
The examination is not a substitute for police, legal, clinical or safeguarding processes. It is a supplementary investigative process that depends on suitability screening, informed consent, safeguarding review and professional judgement.
"A polygraph examination does not determine whether abuse occurred and should not be treated as proof of any alleged event."
A favourable polygraph outcome does not verify an allegation, and an unfavourable outcome does not invalidate an allegation.
When This Service May Be Appropriate
Specific, voluntary and professionally screened
The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience only considers this service where the referral question can be clearly defined and the result will be interpreted alongside other evidence and professional advice.
Specific Disclosure
A specific disclosure, account or written statement may benefit from additional investigative assessment.
Voluntary Consent
The person is participating voluntarily, with informed consent and without coercion or pressure.
Safeguarding Review
There are no safeguarding, welfare or trauma-related concerns that would make testing inappropriate.
Supporting Evidence
Any opinion will be considered alongside witness, documentary, digital, clinical, safeguarding and legal material.
Defined Referral Question
The referral question can be clearly defined before any examination is accepted.
What the Examination May Assess
The examination is structured around a defined account, disclosure or written statement. It may address whether the examinee maintains the truthfulness of a specific account, whether a written statement reflects the examinee's account, whether significant physiological responses occur in relation to carefully structured relevant questions, and whether the account remains consistent during structured examination.
The examination is not designed to determine whether abuse occurred. It is designed to assess responses in relation to a specific statement verification task.
Statement Verification Approach
Where this service is considered appropriate, The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience will generally use a statement verification approach rather than repeated direct questioning about the alleged traumatic event.
This means the examination is focused on whether the examinee maintains the truthfulness and accuracy of a specific written disclosure or account. This approach may reduce the need for repeated traumatic recall, while keeping the examination focused, structured and professionally defensible.
This does not mean that trauma-related responses can be eliminated. Trauma, distress, dissociation, anxiety or vulnerability may still affect suitability and interpretation. For that reason, every case is subject to screening, informed consent and safeguarding review before any examination is accepted.
Suitability Screening
Every case is screened for psychological wellbeing, vulnerability, medical factors, trauma-related symptoms, dissociation and whether the examination is clinically and ethically appropriate.
Professional Support
The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience considers safeguarding status, legal or professional support, clarity of the referral question and any indication of coercion or pressure.
Declining Cases
Trauma-related symptoms may affect the suitability of a polygraph examination and will be considered during screening. The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience may decline an examination where welfare, safeguarding, trauma-related or professional concerns are identified.
Interpreting Findings
Any opinion is investigative rather than evidential. It is based on the structured interpretation of physiological data and should be considered alongside other information, including witness evidence, documentary material, digital evidence, clinical information, safeguarding information, legal advice and other investigative material.
Polygraph findings should never be viewed in isolation.
Risk-Banded Investigative Opinions
Communication framework
Where appropriate, findings may be communicated using a risk-banded framework to assist interpretation. These bands relate only to the credibility and consistency of the specific disclosure, account or written statement examined.
Low Concern
The examination findings are generally consistent with the examinee's account. No significant indicators of concern were identified in relation to the issues tested.
Moderate Concern
Some indicators of concern were identified. While the findings do not permit definitive conclusions, they suggest that aspects of the account may warrant further clarification, investigation or corroboration.
High Concern
Significant indicators of concern were identified in relation to the issues tested. The findings suggest that substantial caution should be exercised and that further investigation or independent corroboration may be appropriate.
Risk bands are intended as an investigative communication tool. They should not be interpreted as probabilities of truthfulness, deception, victimisation, offending, or the occurrence of any alleged event.
The absence of significant indicators of concern should not be interpreted as proof that an alleged event occurred. Likewise, the presence of indicators of concern should not be interpreted as proof that an alleged event did not occur.
Professional Limitations
The examination does not prove that an event occurred. It does not verify or invalidate an allegation. It does not replace police, legal, clinical or safeguarding processes. It does not determine criminal guilt, innocence, civil liability or evidential admissibility. It does not remove the need for corroboration.
The service is not intended to determine criminal guilt, innocence or evidential admissibility and should not be regarded as a substitute for criminal investigation.
The process should not be used coercively or under pressure. The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience will only consider an examination where the proposed referral is voluntary, appropriately supported and professionally suitable.
Support and Safety
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, or feel at immediate risk, a polygraph examination is not a substitute for safety planning, safeguarding support, police assistance, legal advice or clinical care.
If you require support, you may wish to contact:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
- National Stalking Helpline: www.suzylamplugh.org
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call emergency services.
Discuss Suitability Before Arranging an Examination
Every case is different. A confidential consultation is required before any examination is accepted.
Contact The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience