Admission

What Is an Admission in Polygraph Testing?

An admission in polygraph testing is a voluntary statement made by the examinee during the pre-test interview or post-test interview acknowledging relevant behaviour, knowledge, or information related to the matter under investigation. Admissions are distinguished from the polygraph physiological data itself — they are verbal disclosures that arise during the examination process but are separate from the scientific measurement and scoring components.

When Admissions Occur

Admissions can arise at several points during the polygraph examination process:

During the Pre-Test Interview

The most common context for admissions is during the pre-test interview, when the examiner reviews the test questions with the examinee. As each relevant question is discussed, the examinee may voluntarily disclose information they had not previously revealed. For example, in a workplace theft investigation, the examinee might acknowledge during the pre-test that they did take a small amount of money, or in a domestic fidelity test, they might disclose a previously denied contact.

Pre-test admissions are significant because they can change the nature of the examination. The examiner may need to reformulate questions or adjust the testing approach based on new information.

During the Post-Test Interview

Post-test admissions may occur after the examiner has collected and preliminarily analysed the polygraph charts. When results indicate deception (Deception Indicated), the examiner may discuss the findings with the examinee, providing an opportunity for them to explain or clarify their responses. This non-coercive discussion can lead to voluntary admissions.

During Question Review

Between chart presentations, when the examiner briefly reviews questions with the examinee, additional admissions may surface as the examinee reflects on their answers.

APA Standards for Handling Admissions

The American Polygraph Association Standards of Practice establish clear guidelines for how admissions must be handled:

• Voluntary nature — All admissions must be obtained without coercion, threats, or promises. The examinee must be participating voluntarily and must understand their right to stop the examination at any time
• Documentation — Every admission must be thoroughly documented in the examination report, including the exact wording, the context in which it was made, and the phase of the examination during which it occurred
• Separation from data — Admissions are recorded as a separate element of the examination report and are not used to influence the physiological data scoring. The diagnostic opinion (DI/NDI/INC) is based solely on validated Test Data Analysis methods
• Legal rights — The examinee retains all legal rights throughout the examination process, including the right to legal counsel and the right to decline to answer questions

Admissions vs. Confessions

While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a distinction in polygraph practice:

• Admission — A voluntary acknowledgment of a fact, behaviour, or piece of information. May be partial (e.g., "I was in the area that night") and does not necessarily constitute a full acknowledgment of wrongdoing
• Confession — A more comprehensive voluntary disclosure acknowledging involvement in or responsibility for the matter under investigation

Both admissions and confessions arising during polygraph examinations may have legal significance and are subject to the same evidentiary rules as any other statement made during an investigation.

The Role of Admissions in Polygraph Utility

Admissions represent a significant aspect of polygraph utility — the practical value of polygraph testing beyond the physiological data itself. Research and practitioner experience consistently show that a substantial percentage of polygraph examinations produce admissions during the pre-test or post-test phases, often revealing information that would not have been disclosed through other investigative methods.

This "disclosure effect" is one reason why polygraph testing is valued in investigative, therapeutic (therapeutic), and PCSOT contexts — the examination process itself creates an environment that encourages truthful disclosure. For more information on the examination process, visit the Polygraph Examiner Hub or learn how a polygraph works.