What Questions Are Asked on a Polygraph: Types, Examples and What Cannot Be Asked

One of the main fears before a lie detector examination is uncertainty. What will I be asked? Can I refuse to answer? Does the examiner have the right to ask anything? What if I don't remember?

In film, scenes with "sudden" provocative questions are popular. In the news there occasionally appear stories about unlawful wording in personnel checks. However, the real procedure is structured very differently. It follows clear, repeatedly tested rules.

These rules are worth knowing in advance. Even if you are only considering whether to take a polygraph. Most pre-test anxiety arises from a lack of understanding of the procedure.

In this article we will cover several key topics. How polygraph questions are formulated. What three types of questions are used in every methodology. What prohibitions apply on ethical and legal grounds. And what specific wording is used in each main domain — from infidelity testing to corporate investigation.

The material will help if you plan to take a polygraph yourself. Also — if you want to commission a test for another person. In addition, it will guide your conversation with the examiner at the preliminary consultation stage.

The Main Rule: All Questions Are Agreed in Advance

What the pre-test interview is

Any professional procedure begins with a pre-test interview. This is a separate stage lasting 20–90 minutes. It precedes the testing itself. And often turns out to be more important than the recording moment itself.

During the interview the examiner gets to know the subject. Explains the procedure and how the instrument works. Records baseline physiological readings in a calm state. And most importantly — goes through the entire list of questions with the client.

No question sounds for the first time during the recording. This is an absolute rule. Its violation makes any result unreliable.

Why questions are agreed in advance

This is not a formality or a courtesy. Pre-agreement of questions serves several technical functions. Without them the methodology simply does not work.

Informed consent. The subject knows precisely what they agree to. They can decline any topics deemed unacceptable. Before recording begins.

Correct wording. The examiner adapts to the subject's vocabulary. Also — cultural context. And understanding of specific terms. This matters especially when the test is conducted in a non-native language.

A stable state. Perhaps the most important. Knowing what comes next removes the background stress of uncertainty. Otherwise it would distort baseline indicators. And make chart interpretation impossible.

Why "surprise questions" do not work

The idea of "catching off guard" contradicts the very nature of how a polygraph works. The instrument records a physiological reaction to a stressor.

If the stressor is a sudden shocking question, a reaction will arise in any person. Regardless of whether they are telling the truth or lying.

Therefore the polygraph will register a response to surprise, confusion or offence. But not to deception itself. As a result the examiner gets data that cannot be correctly interpreted.

Therefore validated methodologies (CQT, CIT, R/I) are built on the repeated presentation of pre-known questions. Across several series. Only this allows statistical separation of the reaction to a specific significant stimulus from general background arousal.

The right to corrections

At the pre-test interview stage the subject has the full right to adjust wording. Also — to ask for clarification of terms. Or to exclude particular topics.

If a question sounds ambiguous, the examiner must reformulate it. If the subject does not understand a word's meaning, a clearer synonym is needed. If a proposed topic falls outside the task, it must be removed from the list.

This is normal working procedure, not a "concession." It is precisely what builds trust between expert and client. Before the recording even begins.

Three Types of Questions: The Foundation of Any Methodology

Regardless of the testing topic, every question in a professional polygraph chart belongs to one of three families. Their proportion and order depend on the methodology. However, no professional test goes without them.

Understanding this classification removes the mystique from the procedure completely. And lets you discuss the test structure with the examiner before it begins.

Neutral questions

These are questions whose answers are obvious. They have no bearing on the investigated topic. Examples:

• "Are you currently in Kyiv?"
• "Is today Wednesday?"
• "Is your name Alexander?"
• "Is the light in the room on?"
• "Are you over 18?"

Their purpose is to establish a physiological baseline. Under conditions where the subject answers truthfully without tension.

Against this baseline the examiner assesses deviations on more significant questions. Therefore neutral questions are deliberately mundane and predictable.

If a strong physiological reaction suddenly arises on a neutral question — it is a signal. A signal of an unstable background state. The examiner must either postpone the test or adjust the methodology.

Relevant questions

The most important group in any test. The very questions the entire procedure is run for. Direct wording on the substance of the topic:

• "Have you been unfaithful to your spouse?"
• "Did you take money from the till?"
• "Do you know who passed the client database to the competitor?"

The answers to these questions are the test result. The principal conclusion is drawn from analysing reactions to them.

Crafting relevant questions is delicate professional work. A question must be maximally concrete. So that no ambiguity remains for the subject. However, not so narrow that the subject can technically evade.

Good wording leaves no room for "technical truth." Therefore experienced examiners often discuss the same act through two or three different phrasings. To uncover any attempt at a hidden manoeuvre.

Control questions

The most conceptually challenging category from the outside. A control question is a question on a topic where most people in principle have committed transgressions. However, they do not want to admit them.

Examples:

• "Have you ever deceived a person who trusted you?"
• "Have you ever taken something that did not belong to you?"
• "Have you ever lied to avoid trouble?"

The logic is not the most obvious but is methodologically sound. A truthful person answering "no" to a relevant question "Did you take money from the till yesterday?" will experience greater tension on the control question "Have you ever taken something that did not belong to you?". Because almost everyone has taken something at some point. Denying that fact creates greater cognitive load.

A liar, however, who actually did steal money the previous day, will experience maximal tension precisely on the relevant question. Comparing the strength of the reaction between these two categories provides the principal diagnostic conclusion.

An important caveat: control questions are used in the CQT methodology. In CIT methodology they are not. There a different logic operates — based on alternative presentations. The examiner chooses methodology based on the nature of the task.

Comparative summary of the three types

Type	Purpose	Example	Expected reaction
Neutral	Establish baseline	"Is today Wednesday?"	Minimal
Control	"Benchmark" reaction to a typical transgression	"Have you ever taken something not yours?"	For the truthful: higher than on relevant
Relevant	Direct question on the substance	"Did you take money on 12 March?"	For the liar: higher than on control

Professional Rules of Question Formulation

Professional methodologies impose several rigid constraints on question wording. Their violation makes the test result unreliable. Regardless of what the charts show.

These rules were forged over decades of practice. And extensive research. In contemporary international polygraph examination they are treated as nearly dogmatic.

1. Closed "yes or no" form only. No open-ended questions. No multiple-choice items. No questions requiring extended answers. Each question is a stimulus that must elicit one physiological reaction of defined duration.
2. One fact — one question. Combining two topics is prohibited. A phrasing like "Did you know about the theft and help conceal it?" is invalid. Someone may have known but not helped (or vice versa). No single honest answer exists. Each act is tested separately.
3. Concreteness and unambiguity. A question must allow only one possible interpretation. "Have you done anything bad?" is a poor example. The notion of "bad" is subjective. "Did you take money from the office safe?" is correct.
4. Present or past tense. The polygraph works with facts, not intentions. "Will you lie in the future?" is unacceptable. "Have you lied in the past year regarding the matter under investigation?" is correct.
5. A language the subject understands. Testing is conducted in the subject's native language or one they speak fluently. In Ukrainian practice — Ukrainian, Russian, English, Spanish. All key terms are verified for comprehension during the pre-test interview.

These five rules are not "best practices" you can selectively depart from. They are technical requirements of the methodology itself. Their violation renders the physiological recording uninterpretable. Even on perfectly calibrated equipment.

Therefore no certified specialist asks questions outside these constraints. If you see a wording in the proposed list that breaks one of the points — it is a signal to talk with the examiner. Before the recording begins.

What Is Asked in Different Areas: Examples by Test Type

Below are approximate wordings of relevant questions in each of the major thematic areas. The lists are given not as a ready-made script. They convey the general character of tests in each area.

The final wording is always individualised. It is shaped during the pre-test interview. Taking into account the specific situation, case file and subject's personal characteristics.

Infidelity testing

The most common request on the Ukrainian market. Also — within the Ukrainian diaspora in Europe. This is the infidelity test.

The subject matter is painful. The wording demands particular tact and precision. Even a correctly built question can wound when delivered without preparation.

Typical relevant phrasings:

• "Have you had intimate relations with another person since entering into marriage?"
• "Have you concealed contacts with a specific individual from your spouse?"
• "Have you used dating applications during the marriage?"
• "Have you had intimate contact with the named individual during the indicated period?"
• "Have you financed personal expenses of an outsider from the shared family budget?"

The final wording depends on what the client wants to learn. General fidelity. A specific suspected episode. Or a comprehensive check across several aspects of the relationship.

Pre-employment screening

Personnel screening is the most "technological" area. Phrasings are standardised. Applied with minimal variation to every candidate for a given role. This yields comparable results across mass screening.

The standard question set:

• "Did you provide accurate data about your previous employment in your CV?"
• "Have you concealed any prior dismissals on compromising grounds?"
• "Have you had problems with the law that are not reflected in your application?"
• "Do you use narcotic substances?"
• "Do you have outstanding financial obligations the employer has not been informed of?"
• "Do you maintain contacts with competitors of your current or future employer?"

In major corporate projects, personnel screening is conducted regularly. At hiring. At promotion to positions with expanded access. When suspicions arise.

Internal corporate investigation

Internal corporate investigation is the most "investigative" area. Work with relevant questions resembles classical investigative practice. The questions are concrete and tied to a specific event, date and object.

• "Did you take money from the till during the period from [date] to [date]?"
• "Did you pass the client database to third parties?"
• "Do you know who specifically withdrew funds from the company account?"
• "Have you received compensation from suppliers for procurement decisions?"
• "Have you used corporate property for personal purposes without management's permission?"

The more precisely a client formulates the claim, the more accurately an examiner can compose the relevant list.

Pre-marriage check

A growing category of requests. Especially among clients aged 25–35. For them the question of financial and psychological transparency before a wedding has become a norm. Details — on the service page pre-marriage polygraph check.

Typical wording:

• "Do you have hidden financial obligations such as loans, debts or alimony?"
• "Do you have children from previous relationships not disclosed to your partner?"
• "Are you concealing serious medical conditions that may affect family life?"
• "Do you have any criminal record unknown to your partner?"
• "Do you maintain intimate contact with a previous partner at present?"

Teen polygraph testing

A sensitive category. Requires separate ethical training of the examiner. The test is conducted only with the written consent of the adolescent. And with the parents participating in question formulation. The age threshold is usually 14 years. Details — on the service page teen polygraph testing.

• "Have you used narcotic substances in the past 6 months?"
• "Have you concealed contacts with specific individuals from your parents?"
• "Have you taken money from the family budget without permission?"
• "Have you had sexual contacts you did not report to your parents?"
• "Did you know about bullying incidents at school and not report them?"

The main aim of such testing is not punishment. Rather, the restoration of family trust through objective facts.

Forensic psychophysiological examination

Forensic psychophysiological examination is the most consequential area. The questions are formulated at the request of a lawyer or investigator. The subject matter is tied to the specific event. In connection with which an investigation, civil or criminal case is being conducted.

• "Were you at [location] at the moment of [event]?"
• "Did you commit the acts described in the indictment?"
• "Do you know who specifically committed these acts?"
• "Do you have information about the location of [object/person]?"

The conclusion from such a test is formalised as an official document. It can be filed with the case as private expert opinion.

What Is Prohibited: Ethical and Legal Boundaries

Not every question can be asked on a polygraph. This is not a theoretical limitation but an operative professional norm.

The polygraph examiner's code of ethics and national laws impose concrete boundaries on the scope of testing. A certified specialist will refuse to conduct a session if the client insists on prohibited wording. Even if the contract is signed and the advance has been paid.

In compressed form, the list of prohibitions looks like this:

• Political views and party affiliation. An absolute taboo in commercial and personnel polygraphy. Testing political convictions violates freedom of thought and speech. They are protected by Ukraine's constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. Exceptions exist only in specific state contexts.
• Religious beliefs. Religious identification is a private sphere. It cannot be the subject of a polygraph examination. Only specific acts may be tested. For example, use of working time for non-work purposes. But not the beliefs themselves.
• Sexual orientation and intimate life outside the topic. May be the subject of testing only when directly related to the commissioned topic. For example, infidelity testing or specific forensic examinations. In personnel screening — categorically prohibited.
• Membership in trade unions and public organisations. Inclusion in personnel screening is treated as a form of employment discrimination. Violates the legislation of most European countries, including Ukraine.
• Questions inducing self-incrimination. An examiner has no right to formulate questions so as to make the subject "accidentally" confess to a crime outside the agreed topic. A client's attempt to broaden the topic through such wording is grounds to refuse the procedure.
• Open provocative judgements. "Are you generally an honest person?", "Are you a bad parent?", "Are you trustworthy?" Such questions appeal to self-assessment rather than to facts. The physiological response cannot be interpreted meaningfully.
• Discriminatory questions on protected grounds. Age, gender, ethnic origin, citizenship, health status (outside the topic), marital status, presence of children. These are protected grounds. Discrimination in hiring is prohibited in most jurisdictions on these grounds.

Conceptual Illustration: How the Final List Is Formed

In any situation there exists a vast space of possible phrasings. From direct and literal to indirect and contextual. From broad generalisations to narrow factual clarifications.

The examiner's task during the pre-test interview is not to ask every possible question. Rather, to select the 8–14 relevant phrasings that most precisely cover the topic. And do not duplicate one another.

An experienced specialist often drafts an initial list of 30–40 variants. Then narrows it to a working set. The selection criteria:

• clarity for the specific subject;
• anchoring to concrete facts;
• absence of ambiguity;
• no semantic overlaps.

This work is half analytical and half creative. It is here that the difference between an "instrument operator" and an expert reveals itself.

What the Subject Is Entitled To: Refusal, Not Knowing, Pauses

Right to refuse and interrupt the test

Refusing to answer or interrupting the test is the unconditional right of the subject. Enshrined in the polygraph examination ethics code. Also — in data protection legislation.

Before the session the person signs an informed consent form. It explicitly states the right to halt the test at any moment. Without explaining reasons and without negative consequences.

Any psychological or physical coercion to continue is a gross violation by the examiner. Grounds for a complaint to the professional association. And for a court claim.

Refusal on a specific question

There is a nuance here. Technically the subject can remain silent. This will be recorded as "no answer" to that particular question.

However, if such a situation arises during testing rather than during the pre-test interview — it creates a gap in the data. It affects the ability to draw a conclusion on the corresponding topic.

Therefore it is more correct to discuss all "uncomfortable" questions in advance. Either exclude them from the list, or reformulate them so that you are willing to answer. This is less about your rights than about the practical usefulness of the test.

What if I don't know or don't remember

This is a normal and frequent situation. The examiner is obliged to account for it in question formulation.

Sound methodologies avoid questions requiring precise memory of dates or event sequences. When these details fall outside the topic.

If a question nonetheless requires a yes/no answer and the subject does not know — they answer "no" with a "don't know" note. On the chart this yields a characteristic picture. An experienced specialist distinguishes it from deception. A "don't know" reaction differs structurally from a "know but conceal" reaction. This interpretive skill is part of the examiner's basic training.

How many questions per session

Depends on the methodology and the topic. A standard CQT session includes 3–4 control and 3–4 relevant questions per series. Plus 2–3 neutral.

The series is repeated 3–5 times for statistical reliability. 30–60 questions may be heard per session. However, the number of unique phrasings is only 10–15. Recording time is usually 60–120 minutes with short breaks.

In CIT methodology the structure differs. The subject is presented with series of alternatives. A significant reaction emerges only on the alternative known to the true participant. Total presentations may be much larger here — up to 100–150 per session. However, each is short and unambiguous.

Common Myths About Polygraph Questions

Over decades, many myths have accumulated around the polygraph. Five of them tied specifically to questions appear often enough to warrant targeted debunking.

Myth 1: "The examiner will ask any question"

Not true. The examiner works within the topic agreed with the client. Every question is discussed during the pre-test interview.

If a question that was not pre-agreed sounds during recording — the subject has every right to refuse to answer. And end the session. This is enshrined in the consent form signed before the test.

Myth 2: "The polygraph will expose every sin of the past"

Not true. The polygraph tests only the specific topics agreed in advance.

If the topic is theft in the office, questions about infidelity or drug use during student years will not be asked. They have no bearing on the case.

The polygraph is an instrument for pinpoint fact-checking. Not a "biography detector."

Myth 3: "If I'm nervous, the polygraph will decide I'm lying"

Not true. The professional methodology is built specifically to distinguish general nervousness from a reaction to a specific significant question.

Comparing reactions across neutral, control and relevant questions exists precisely to subtract the background of general arousal. With general nervousness reactions rise on all three categories evenly. With deception they rise selectively on the relevant.

Myth 4: "You can deceive the polygraph by controlling your breathing"

Much overstated. A polygraph records 5–8 independent physiological channels simultaneously:

• thoracic breathing;
• abdominal breathing;
• galvanic skin response;
• pulse;
• blood pressure;
• blood volume;
• tremor.

Conscious control of one channel produces compensatory changes in the others. An experienced examiner recognises them as a countermeasure attempt. The attempt itself is a diagnostic indicator.

Myth 5: "Polygraph questions are always tricky"

Not true. The most effective relevant questions are direct, concrete, unambiguous phrasings.

Tricky questions create more interpretation problems than benefit. Experienced examiners avoid them.

The Main Things to Remember

If you take away only the essentials from this article — they boil down to five principles. They apply to any professional polygraph procedure:

1. All questions are agreed in advance. "Surprise" questions do not exist in real practice — that is a cinematic device.
2. Yes-or-no format only. Open-ended phrasings and compound questions are technically unworkable. A long answer destroys the physiological reaction window.
3. Three types of questions. Neutral for the baseline. Control for comparison. Relevant on the substance. Without all three categories the test produces no interpretable data.
4. Strict prohibitions. Politics, religion, discriminatory grounds, open value judgements, self-incrimination prompts — beyond what any certified specialist will ask.
5. Right to stop and to correct. The subject has the full right to halt the test at any moment. To adjust wording during the pre-test interview. To decline any topic. This is not a "concession to the expert" but the bedrock of the entire procedure.

Understanding these principles removes most of the anxiety surrounding the procedure. The polygraph is not a "hostile interrogation." Nor an instrument to "extract everything."

It is a structured psychophysiological examination with transparent rules. The better the subject understands the rules, the calmer the session. And the more accurate the result.

This is not benevolence toward the client but a professional necessity. Only in a calm and informed state does a person produce the physiological picture that can be interpreted correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Polygraph Questions