Private Polygraph vs. Law Enforcement Polygraph – What’s the Difference?
If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a difference between a private polygraph and a law enforcement polygraph, you’re not alone. While both types of lie detector tests use the same scientific principles to measure truthfulness, they differ significantly in purpose, setting, and application. Understanding these distinctions can help you choose the right service, especially if you’re navigating a legal, personal, or employment issue.
Purpose of the Polygraph: Private vs. Law Enforcement
The primary difference lies in why the test is being conducted.
Private polygraph exams are typically requested for personal, civil, or professional reasons. These include:
Relationship or infidelity concerns
Family disputes
Immigration and asylum cases
Pre-Employment screening for private companies
Elderly caregiver or nanny screening
Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing (PCSOT) for treatment providers
Law enforcement polygraphs, on the other hand, are conducted by police departments, federal agencies, or other government bodies. Their purposes include:
Criminal investigations
Employment screening for public safety positions
Internal affairs investigations
Both types of exams follow strict guidelines, but private polygraphs offer greater flexibility and can often be scheduled faster.
Who Conducts the Exam?
Another key difference is who administers the test. At Kimbrough Consulting, LLC, our examiners have decades of law enforcement experience and are certified members of the American Polygraph Association (APA), North Carolina Polygraph Association (NCPA), Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA), and the American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP).
Law enforcement tests are typically performed by agency-employed examiners, while private polygraph examiners, like those at our firm, serve individuals, attorneys, therapists, and businesses across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Confidentiality and Access to Results
A private polygraph gives you more control. You decide:
Who gets the results
When the exam is scheduled
What the scope of the test will be
In contrast, law enforcement polygraphs are part of a legal process. The results may become part of an investigation and could be shared with multiple agencies. If privacy is a top concern, private testing offers a more discreet option.
Legal Admissibility
While polygraph results are not always admissible in court, attorneys frequently use private polygraph tests to support plea negotiations, guide investigations, or assist with pre-trial decisions. In contrast, law enforcement polygraph results are typically used internally and may not always be disclosed to the defense.
If you need answers in a private matter or are a professional seeking trusted, confidential results, a private polygraph may be your best solution. For criminal investigations or public safety job screening, law enforcement testing is the standard.
At Kimbrough Consulting, LLC, we specialize in both private and pre-employment polygraph services. Whether you're facing a difficult personal decision or hiring for a sensitive role, we bring experience, accuracy, and professionalism to every exam.
Contact us today at www.kimbroughpolygraph.com or call 828-548-0085 to schedule your consultation.
