An employer, or accountable person will be faced with a dilemma of needing to expose the guilty party, without unduly affecting innocent parties, as timeously as possible.
The polygraph test, therefore, serves to highlight both the innocence of the “not guilty”, and the guilt of the perpetrators. The process is also efficient in so far as time lines are concerned and can sometimes obviate the necessity for lengthy, expensive and time consuming investigative processes.
It is essential, at the outset, that the polygraphist is briefed with regards to the circumstances and issues under investigation.
No one is legally obliged to undergo a polygraph examination, although it must be stated that failure to take a test, can (rightly or wrongly) arouse the suspicion of an employer or investigator.. Before taking a polygraph test, it should therefore be carefully explained to the subject that his/her participation in the process is voluntary.
