Negligent and dangerous service
My boyfriend booked this lie detector test for me after I disclosed that I lied to him about something prior to us being in a relationship. For context, our relationship has been pretty much me supporting him through any and everything, jail, deep insecurities and his own self doubt. A month prior to the lie detector test my nephew passed away from a very sudden and aggressive brain tumour, his funeral was 3 weeks prior to me taking the test. My nephew was sick and in hospital two and a half months prior to him passing away in which I was there every single day give or take two or three days, caring for him and supporting my whole family in the best way I could. I have a lot of guilt with my nephew passing because I helped care for him his whole life but I was not present the months before he got sick. During the months my nephew was sick, my boyfriend’s behaviour escalated in which he physically harmed me and added stress in a situation where I have found it extremely difficult to navigate everyday life. My boyfriend is not an awful person, he has trauma and I have spent my whole relationship trying to prove myself to him and that is why I accepted the lie detector test. I did not lie on my test, I was asked if I was unfaithful physically or via communication and I never have even nearly close to been unfaithful to my boyfriend. I have worshipped him to the point that it has caused me great stress and anxiety to prove myself. Jason, the lie detector coordinator made the test seem so easy, he made my heightened anxiety seem normal when I asked him during the test. He questioned my boyfriend alone and did not consider to question me and my experience of the relationship. This test was an awful experience for me, it has reinforced all of my boyfriends trauma and my own. My relationship is now over, I have had to remove myself for my own safety because a test said I was lying and I was not. After the test, Jason came to me for around 10 seconds and said he cannot pass me because there is “guilt” all over my test. He urged me to confess something to my partner when there is nothing to confess and stated that I should tell the truth. I have not written this for a sob story, only to shed light on the damage and invalid nature of these tests, I have nothing to prove by writing this as I remain anonymous. Do not book this test if you have experienced any kind of trauma as the coordinator will not consider this or support you adequately.
UPDATE
In response to the below review I would like to add that at no point was I questioned alone, the claims made below that the examiner queried the relationship dynamic and recent trauma is entirely false. In a setting where you promote “couples lie detector” tests you should educate all parties on the dangers of someone disclosing their true experience of a relationship in front of the other party and the manipulation tactics this can evoke from their partner with trying to refuse the test for example. I was only asked if I had any mental health diagnosis to which I responded no.
Repeatedly throughout the pre examination state, Jason referred to the lie detector test as being “therapy” for men and like an “itch they need to scratch”.
There were no “admissions” following the test, only a panicked person trying to frantically explain what could have gone so wrong and discussing things that are not even close to what the questions had asked on the test and delay what the poor handling of this lie detector test would now inevitably cause.
This test is inaccurate, Jason repeatedly told me to “go home and have a think” and to “tell the truth”
The response to my above review is false. Instead, lie detectors UK should take accountability for mishandling my trauma and learn from this so they do not ruin any more lives. Instead they aim to profess things in their rebuttals that are meant to be confidential and shed no light on what they will do in the future to ensure this will not happen again.
The safeguarding in this procedure that promotes 90% accuracy with no evidence of this is zero to none.
Antwort von Lie Detectors UK
Hi Ellie, in reply to your review.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are truly sorry to hear how distressing this situation was for you and we acknowledge the significant grief, trauma, and emotional strain you describe. Your pain and the difficulty of what you were going through are not dismissed.
Our intention is never to cause harm. This is precisely why we conduct a comprehensive pre-test interview, during which we ask extensive questions regarding medical history, mental health, recent trauma, stress levels, and relationship dynamics. This information is essential for determining whether testing is appropriate. Had the full extent of the circumstances described in this review been disclosed during the pre-test, we would not have proceeded with the examination.
For clarity, the post-test phase lasted approximately 15 minutes and included both one-on-one discussion and joint discussion with both parties, in accordance with our standard procedure. During the post-test, admissions were made, which were addressed professionally and appropriately as part of that process. However it was also stated we are not 100% and can get it wrong.
We are also concerned and confused as to why the significant details outlined in this review were not disclosed during the pre-test, despite direct questioning. Polygraph testing relies heavily on honest and complete pre-test information; without it, results can be affected and the suitability of testing cannot be properly assessed.
At no point is anyone required or pressured to confess to something they state is untrue. Our role is to explain the results of the examination, not to make personal judgments, diagnoses, or relationship decisions.
Polygraph testing is not a therapeutic service and cannot account for complex emotional states such as unresolved trauma, grief, or abusive dynamics unless they are fully disclosed beforehand. For this reason, we consistently advise individuals experiencing recent trauma or unsafe relationship circumstances to seek professional therapeutic support and to carefully consider whether testing is appropriate.
We are genuinely sorry that this experience added to your distress, and we wish you safety, healing, and support moving forward.