Recommended Polygraph & Lie Detection Books
The most comprehensive curated library of polygraph, deception detection, and credibility assessment books available anywhere. Expert reviews, chapter breakdowns, and reading recommendations for every level.
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Practical Aspects of Interview and Interrogation 2001 (2nd edition)

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Examination and Cross-Examination of Experts in Forensic Psychophysiology Using the Polygraph 2000

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A Tremor in the Blood: Uses and Abuses of the Lie Detector 1998 (2nd edition)

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Forensic Psychophysiology Using the Polygraph: Scientific Truth Verification — Lie Detection 1996

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The Cognitive Interview 1992

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Theories and Applications in the Detection of Deception: A Psychophysiological and International Perspective 1990

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The Complete Polygraph Handbook 1989

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The Art and Science of the Polygraph Technique 1980

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The Lie Behind the Lie Detector 5th edition

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Essentials of Polygraph and Polygraph Testing 2017

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POLYGRAPH TESTING: Practical Manual of Forensic Psychophysiology: Methodology, Execution, and Fields of Application 2026

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Duped: Truth-Default Theory and the Social Science of Lying and Deception 2019

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Detecting Concealed Information and Deception: Recent Developments 2018

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Fundamentals of Polygraph Practice 2015

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The Pre-Test Interview: The Foundation of Polygraph 2015

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Detecting Deception: Current Challenges and Cognitive Approaches 2015

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Credibility Assessment: Scientific Research and Applications 2014

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Criminal Interrogation and Confessions 2013 (5th edition)

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Brainwashed: The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience 2013

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Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception 2012

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Memory Detection: Theory and Application of the Concealed Information Test 2011

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Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques 2011 (3rd edition)

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The Lying Brain: Lie Detection in Science and Science Fiction 2011

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Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception 2010

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Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage 2009 (revised edition)

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Detecting Lies and Deceit: Pitfalls and Opportunities 2008 (2nd edition)

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What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People 2008

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The Lie Detectors: The History of an American Obsession 2007

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Gatekeeper: Memoirs of a CIA Polygraph Examiner 2007

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The Polygraph and Lie Detection 2003

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Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life 2003

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The Psychology of Interrogations and Confessions: A Handbook 2003

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Handbook of Polygraph Testing 2002

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Of Spies and Lies: A CIA Lie Detector Remembers Vietnam 2002

Why an Examiner's Bookshelf Matters
The difference between a competent examiner and an exceptional one often comes down to depth of knowledge. Polygraph science has evolved dramatically since Larson's first instrument in 1921 — from analog chart analysis to computerized scoring algorithms, from Control Question Tests to the validated Concealed Information Test. The examiners who stay current with published research, understand the limitations of their tools, and can articulate the science behind their conclusions are the ones courts trust, attorneys respect, and clients rely on.
This library covers the full spectrum: foundational textbooks used in APA-accredited training programs, peer-reviewed scientific assessments of polygraph validity, deception science beyond the instrument, behavioral analysis and interviewing methodology, plus critical perspectives that every well-rounded examiner should know. Whether you're a student entering the field, a practicing examiner deepening your expertise, an attorney preparing for a case involving polygraph evidence, or a researcher studying credibility assessment — we've identified the essential reading for your path.
Most Recently Published
The library's most recent titles by publication year, newest first. Recency is a fact about the edition, not a verdict on the book — each entry links to our full review.

POLYGRAPH TESTING: Practical Manual of Forensic Psychophysiology: Methodology, Execution, and Fields of Application

Duped: Truth-Default Theory and the Social Science of Lying and Deception

Detecting Concealed Information and Deception: Recent Developments

Essentials of Polygraph and Polygraph Testing
Where to Start
Our top three recommendations for building a strong foundation in polygraph science and practice.

Fundamentals of Polygraph Practice

Forensic Psychophysiology Using the Polygraph: Scientific Truth Verification — Lie Detection

Essentials of Polygraph and Polygraph Testing
Not Sure Where to Start?
Choose your background and we'll filter the library down to the titles written for you.
The polygraph instrument is only as good as the examiner operating it. Every book on this shelf made me a better examiner — understanding the science behind what we measure, the limitations we must acknowledge, and the interview techniques that separate a thorough examination from a perfunctory one.
Trained to APA Standards Polygraph Examiner · 20+ Years Field Experience
Complete Book Library
Browse by category or open any title for our full in-depth review with chapter breakdowns, author bios, reader reviews, and citation guides.

Fundamentals of Polygraph Practice

Forensic Psychophysiology Using the Polygraph: Scientific Truth Verification — Lie Detection

The Art and Science of the Polygraph Technique

Essentials of Polygraph and Polygraph Testing

The Pre-Test Interview: The Foundation of Polygraph

Examination and Cross-Examination of Experts in Forensic Psychophysiology Using the Polygraph

The Polygraph and Lie Detection

Credibility Assessment: Scientific Research and Applications

Handbook of Polygraph Testing

Theories and Applications in the Detection of Deception: A Psychophysiological and International Perspective

The Complete Polygraph Handbook

Detecting Deception: Current Challenges and Cognitive Approaches

Detecting Lies and Deceit: Pitfalls and Opportunities

Memory Detection: Theory and Application of the Concealed Information Test

Detecting Concealed Information and Deception: Recent Developments

Duped: Truth-Default Theory and the Social Science of Lying and Deception

Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage

Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life

What Every BODY is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People

Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception

Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques

Criminal Interrogation and Confessions

Practical Aspects of Interview and Interrogation

The Cognitive Interview

The Psychology of Interrogations and Confessions: A Handbook

The Lying Brain: Lie Detection in Science and Science Fiction

Brainwashed: The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience

The Lie Detectors: The History of an American Obsession

Gatekeeper: Memoirs of a CIA Polygraph Examiner

Of Spies and Lies: A CIA Lie Detector Remembers Vietnam

Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception

A Tremor in the Blood: Uses and Abuses of the Lie Detector

The Lie Behind the Lie Detector

POLYGRAPH TESTING: Practical Manual of Forensic Psychophysiology: Methodology, Execution, and Fields of Application
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