Police agencies are exploring EyeDetect as a screening tool, and this 2026 guide examines how it complements or contrasts with the established lie detector test in law enforcement.
A comprehensive analysis of EyeDetect adoption in law enforcement, including real-world deployment by over 100 U.S. agencies, integration with polygraph programs, legal requirements, accuracy data, and practical considerations for police departments and sheriff's offices evaluating this technology.
TL;DR — The Short Version
- EyeDetect is an ocular-motor credibility assessment tool by Converus that measures involuntary eye behavior to detect deception in 15-30 minute automated tests, with manufacturer-claimed accuracy of 86-90%.
- Over 100 U.S. law enforcement agencies currently use EyeDetect primarily as a first-tier pre-employment screening tool to complement — not replace — traditional polygraph programs.
- The technology cannot replace polygraph in jurisdictions where state law specifically mandates polygraph examinations for law enforcement hiring.
- A New Mexico court granted a Daubert motion to admit EyeDetect results as evidence in 2018, marking the first such judicial acceptance, though courtroom use remains extremely limited.
- Independent validation remains limited — all peer-reviewed studies to date have been conducted by scientists affiliated with Converus, and the American Polygraph Association has not endorsed EyeDetect as equivalent to the polygraph.
- Best deployed as a supplement in a layered credibility assessment approach, where EyeDetect screens applicants first and polygraph provides deeper assessment for those who pass.
Who This Guide Is For
- Police chiefs, sheriffs, and law enforcement administrators evaluating screening technologies
- Human resources directors at police departments and sheriff's offices
- Background investigation units seeking to modernize applicant screening
- Internal affairs investigators exploring supplementary credibility assessment tools
- Polygraph examiners interested in understanding how EyeDetect fits alongside their work
- Government procurement officers researching credibility assessment options
- Criminal justice researchers and policymakers studying deception detection technology
- Law enforcement applicants wanting to understand what they may encounter during hiring
What Is EyeDetect and Why Are Agencies Interested?
Understanding the Technology
EyeDetect is a credibility assessment technology developed by Converus, Inc., a company headquartered in Lehi, Utah [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. The system uses a high-definition infrared eye-tracking camera that takes approximately 60 measurements per second of involuntary eye behavior — including pupil dilation, eye movement, reading behavior, blink rate, fixation patterns, and gaze position — while a subject reads and responds to true/false statements on a computer screen [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
The technology was originally developed from research conducted at the University of Utah beginning in 2003, when Dr. John Kircher and Dr. Doug Hacker conceived the idea for an ocular-motor deception test [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. Dr. David Raskin joined the science team in 2009 [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. Notably, Drs. Kircher and Raskin are the same scientists credited with developing the first computerized field polygraph system in 1991 [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications, which established their credibility as leading figures in the psychophysiology of deception detection.
The fundamental scientific premise behind EyeDetect is that deception requires greater cognitive effort than truth-telling, and this increased cognitive load produces measurable changes in eye behavior [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. When someone lies, the brain must simultaneously suppress the truthful response, construct a false narrative, and monitor whether the deception is being believed. This additional processing creates subtle but measurable changes in pupil dilation, reading speed, fixation patterns, and other ocular metrics. During a 30-minute EyeDetect test, over 180,000 eye measurements are recorded and uploaded to a secure cloud server where proprietary algorithms analyze the data and produce a credibility score within five minutes [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
Why Law Enforcement Agencies Are Taking Notice
Several converging pressures have driven law enforcement interest in EyeDetect. First, the polygraph profession faces a growing shortage of qualified examiners. Industry sources project a significant shortage of private examiners beginning in 2025 due to retirement and attrition [2]Verified The Polygraph Examiner Profession
Confirms projected significant shortage of private polygraph examiners beginning 2025 due to retirement and attrition, and the demand for examiners continues to increase as older examiners retire [2]Verified The Polygraph Examiner Profession
Confirms projected significant shortage of private polygraph examiners beginning 2025 due to retirement and attrition. Polygraph examiner training typically requires 10-13 weeks of full-time attendance at an APA-accredited school, followed by an internship program [3]Verified How to Become a Professional Polygraph Examiner
Confirms polygraph training typically lasts 10-13 weeks and details examiner career paths and qualification requirements — a significant investment that limits the supply pipeline.
Second, the traditional polygraph examination is time-intensive. A standard pre-employment polygraph for a law enforcement applicant typically takes 2-4 hours, including pre-test interview, chart collection, and post-test phases [4]Verified How Much Does a Lie Detector Test Cost? (2026 Prices)
Confirms polygraph costs of $400-$1,200 on average, EyeDetect claims of up to 88% accuracy, and notes EyeDetect lacks independent peer-reviewed research. For agencies processing hundreds or thousands of applicants annually, this creates substantial bottlenecks. EyeDetect's 15-30 minute test time and automated scoring represent a potentially transformative efficiency gain [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. According to Converus, a single EyeDetect proctor can administer up to 15 tests daily, compared to 2-3 full pre-employment polygraph examinations per day for a single examiner [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
Third, there is growing interest in assessment tools that minimize examiner subjectivity. EyeDetect's automated scoring algorithm removes the human element from the evaluation phase, producing the same result regardless of who administers the test [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. Research on deception detection has shown that professional confidence does not always align with scientific accuracy — studies reveal discrepancies between what police officers and psychologists believe about behavioral deception indicators and what the evidence actually supports [5]Verified Verbal and Non-verbal Symptoms of Deception in the Eyes of Policemen and Psychologists
Reveals discrepancies between professional confidence and scientific evidence regarding deception detection accuracy among police and psychologists.
Fourth, budget pressures affect every level of law enforcement. Standard polygraph tests cost $400-$1,200 in 2025, with pre-employment screenings averaging $350-$500 [6]Verified Polygraph Test Cost: Expert Guide
Confirms standard polygraph tests cost $400-$1,200 in 2025, pre-employment screenings around $350-$500, and CBP spending approximately $2,200 per exam. By comparison, Converus states that EyeDetect tests cost about one-third the price of a polygraph [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. For agencies conducting large-scale pre-employment screening, the cost differential is significant — particularly given that Customs and Border Protection has reported spending approximately $2,200 per polygraph exam [6]Verified Polygraph Test Cost: Expert Guide
Confirms standard polygraph tests cost $400-$1,200 in 2025, pre-employment screenings around $350-$500, and CBP spending approximately $2,200 per exam. For more details on EyeDetect pricing, see our dedicated cost guide.
How EyeDetect Works in a Law Enforcement Context
The Testing Process
When a law enforcement agency deploys EyeDetect, the testing process differs substantially from a traditional polygraph examination. The subject sits in front of a computer screen equipped with an infrared eye-tracking camera mounted below the monitor. After a calibration phase that ensures the camera can accurately track the subject's eye movements (typically 2-5 minutes), the test begins.
The subject reads a series of true/false statements presented on the screen and responds by pressing corresponding keys. These statements are carefully constructed to address topics relevant to the screening purpose — whether pre-employment integrity, specific incident investigation, or periodic security reinvestigation. Throughout the process, the eye-tracking camera records thousands of data points per second. Variables measured include pupil dilation, question response accuracy, question response time, gaze fixation, blink rates, reading behavior, and other ocular-motor indicators [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
Data is uploaded to Converus servers where proprietary algorithms analyze the ocular-motor responses. The system compares patterns against its model of deceptive versus truthful responding and produces a Converus Credibility Score [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. When a person obtains a score between 1 and 49, they are categorized as deceptive; scores between 50 and 99 indicate credibility [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. Results are typically available within five minutes of test completion.
Two Test Formats: Screening and Diagnostic
EyeDetect offers two primary testing formats. The Directed Lie Screening (DLS) test is designed for screening scenarios such as pre-employment. It uses a comparison question approach where the subject is directed to answer certain questions untruthfully, establishing a baseline for the cognitive load associated with lying. Converus reports 88% accuracy for screening tests [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
The Directed Lie Comparison (DLC) test is designed for specific-issue testing, such as a particular incident under investigation. Converus reports 90% accuracy for these diagnostic tests [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. For law enforcement pre-employment screening, the Directed Lie Screening format is most commonly employed, using a Law Enforcement Pre-Employment Test (LEPET) that can be customized to address topics typical of police applicant screening: illegal drug use, criminal behavior, theft, honesty about application materials, and other integrity-related issues [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. These topic areas mirror those covered in a standard pre-employment polygraph examination.
Converus also offers EyeDetect+, which was released in 2020 as the world's first automated polygraph [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. This enhanced version combines ocular-motor measurements with traditional physiological data collection (cardiovascular, respiration, and electrodermal activity) via a "Physio Tracker" device [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. This was designed specifically to meet the functional definition of polygraph in states where lie detector laws reference traditional polygraph channels, with reported accuracy of 89-91% [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
Pre-Employment Applicant Screening Use Cases
The Law Enforcement Hiring Crisis
Understanding why EyeDetect has gained traction requires understanding the current hiring crisis. The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) has documented this crisis extensively. A PERF report found that 63% of agencies reported a decrease in the number of applicants for open police-officer positions relative to five years earlier [7]Verified Addressing the Challenges of Recruiting and Retention in Law Enforcement
Confirms PERF found 63% of agencies reported decreased applicant numbers, and IACP found 78% had difficulty recruiting qualified candidates. According to PERF survey data, officer resignations were up 47% compared to 2019, and retirements were up 19% [8]Verified The U.S. is Experiencing a Police Hiring Crisis
Confirms PERF survey data showing officer resignations up 47% and retirements up 19% compared to 2019. The report stated that "fewer people are applying to become police officers, and more people are leaving the profession, often after only a few years on the job" [8]Verified The U.S. is Experiencing a Police Hiring Crisis
Confirms PERF survey data showing officer resignations up 47% and retirements up 19% compared to 2019.
Similarly, a 2019 survey by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) found that 78% of responding agencies had difficulty recruiting qualified candidates, and 75% felt recruiting challenges were worse than five years earlier [7]Verified Addressing the Challenges of Recruiting and Retention in Law Enforcement
Confirms PERF found 63% of agencies reported decreased applicant numbers, and IACP found 78% had difficulty recruiting qualified candidates. The hiring pipeline from application to sworn officer varies significantly by agency — some departments report 3-4 months while others warn the process can take a few months to more than a year [9]Verified Police Officer Hiring Process
Confirms police hiring process can take from a few months to more than a year depending on the agency. The polygraph examination is frequently identified as one of the stages that can create scheduling delays, particularly when agencies face examiner shortages.
A large metropolitan police department processing 2,000 applicants per year and requiring each to undergo a polygraph examination needs substantial polygraph capacity. If each examination takes 3 hours on average, that represents 6,000 examiner-hours annually — equivalent to nearly three full-time examiners doing nothing but pre-employment testing. Many agencies simply do not have the resources to maintain this capacity.
EyeDetect as a First-Tier Screening Tool
The most common law enforcement deployment model for EyeDetect is as a first-tier screening tool rather than a polygraph replacement. In this model, all applicants first undergo an EyeDetect screening. Those who pass proceed to the next phase (which may or may not include a traditional polygraph). Those who fail may be eliminated or flagged for additional scrutiny.
This tiered approach offers operational advantages. The Idaho State Police, for example, adopted EyeDetect after learning about the technology from the Boise and Meridian police departments [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. ISP reported saving approximately $5,500 by not using polygraph on its first 19 applicants who had already passed an EyeDetect test, while maintaining that polygraph should remain a vital part of the pre-employment process [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
According to Converus CEO Todd Mickelsen, approximately 32% of prospective police officers fail on average, and 85% of the time it's because they are not truthful about their past use of illegal drugs [10]Verified The Eyes Have It: Converus EyeDetect Coverage
Confirms 75 U.S. law enforcement agency contracts at time of reporting, 32% applicant failure rate, and 85% fail due to drug use dishonesty. For agencies already struggling to attract applicants, however, false positive screenings that wrongly eliminate qualified candidates are a significant concern that must be weighed against efficiency gains.
Kent Police Department in Washington has used EyeDetect since 2017, with former Police Chief Ken Thomas calling it a "huge success" that saves time, energy, and money [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. Other early adopters include Palm Springs Police Department (CA), Boise PD (ID), Idaho State Police, Page PD (AZ), University of Florida PD, Bernalillo County Sheriff (NM), Wyoming Highway Patrol, and Nampa PD (ID) [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. As of late 2024, more than 100 U.S. law enforcement agencies were using EyeDetect [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
High-Volume Screening Scenarios
Some of the strongest use cases for EyeDetect involve high-volume screening where traditional polygraph examination of every individual would be impractical. This includes large metropolitan agencies processing thousands of applications annually, multi-jurisdictional task forces requiring security clearances, correctional facilities screening large numbers of corrections officer applicants, and agencies with seasonal hiring pushes tied to specific academy class start dates.
For context on the scale, the U.S. Department of Justice reports that approximately 16,000 general-purpose state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide hire about 61,000 officers annually [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. A single EyeDetect station can theoretically process 15 tests per day versus 2-3 full pre-employment polygraph examinations per day for a single examiner [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. This throughput advantage is perhaps the most compelling operational argument for the technology, particularly for agencies like the DHS and CBP, which process thousands of applicants annually.
Internal Affairs & Investigation Applications
Specific-Incident Testing
Beyond pre-employment screening, some law enforcement agencies have explored using EyeDetect for specific-incident investigations conducted by internal affairs or professional standards divisions. These investigations might involve allegations of excessive force, corruption, policy violations, evidence tampering, or other serious misconduct. Judicial precedent permits law enforcement agencies to require employees to submit to polygraph examinations during bona fide internal investigations, provided strict procedural safeguards are observed [11]Verified Use of Polygraph in Law Enforcement Internal Affairs Investigations
Confirms judicial precedent permits requiring employees to submit to polygraph during bona fide internal investigations with strict procedural safeguards.
For specific-incident testing, EyeDetect's Directed Lie Comparison (DLC) format is employed. Converus reports that accuracy for investigation tests has been field-tested at 89% [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. EyeDetect has been used to test suspects in cases involving murder, arson, sexual assault, felony theft, domestic violence, sexual abuse of a child, armed robbery, and other crimes [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. The automated nature of the test can be seen as either an advantage — removing examiner bias — or a limitation, since no experienced examiner is present to detect behavioral indicators that might inform the investigation.
Periodic Reinvestigation
Certain law enforcement agencies, particularly those with sensitive assignments such as narcotics, vice, and intelligence units, require periodic integrity reinvestigation of their personnel. Traditionally conducted via polygraph, these periodic screenings represent another potential application for EyeDetect. Focused polygraph techniques have been developed specifically for screening programs [12]Verified Focused Polygraph Technique for PCSOT and Law Enforcement Screening Programs
Proposes standardized screening polygraph format with directed-lie comparison questions, relevant to understanding standardized screening approaches, and EyeDetect offers a complementary option.
The cost and time advantages of EyeDetect are particularly attractive for periodic reinvestigation programs. An agency with 100 officers assigned to sensitive duties who must undergo annual reinvestigation would need approximately 300 hours of polygraph examiner time per year. EyeDetect could accomplish the same screening volume in a fraction of the time, freeing polygraph examiners for more complex investigative work.
Limitations in Investigative Contexts
EyeDetect has significant limitations in investigative contexts compared to the traditional polygraph. The polygraph examination includes an extensive pre-test interview that experienced examiners use to assess the subject's overall demeanor, elicit admissions, clarify details, and build rapport. Research has documented the evolution of polygraph from a pure detection tool to an interview-enhancing instrument that promotes confession and disclosure [13]Verified Interviewing and Interrogation for Law Enforcement
Documents the evolution of polygraph from pure detection tool to interview-enhancing instrument that promotes confession and disclosure. Many experienced polygraph examiners consider the pre-test interview to be at least as valuable as the physiological data itself for investigative purposes.
EyeDetect has no interview component — the subject simply sits in front of a screen and responds to questions. This means the technology cannot elicit the spontaneous admissions, behavioral observations, and investigative leads that often emerge during a skilled polygraph examiner's interview. Research from a two-year evaluation involving 800+ individuals found that polygraph-tested supervisees were nearly 6 times more likely to make at least one risk-relevant disclosure [14]Verified An Evaluation of Polygraph Testing by Police to Manage Individuals Convicted or Suspected of Sexual Offending
Found polygraph-tested supervisees were nearly 6 times more likely to make at least one risk-relevant disclosure in a two-year evaluation across nine UK police areas — a powerful benefit that relies on the human interview component absent from EyeDetect. For complex internal affairs investigations, this represents a significant limitation.
Integration with Existing Polygraph Programs
The Layered Approach
Rather than viewing EyeDetect as a replacement for the polygraph, the most effective deployment model is a layered credibility assessment approach. In this model, EyeDetect and the polygraph serve complementary roles, with each technology's strengths compensating for the other's weaknesses.
In Tier 1, all applicants undergo an initial EyeDetect screen. This rapid, cost-effective assessment identifies individuals who clearly pass or clearly fail, reducing the workload for downstream polygraph testing. In Tier 2, applicants who pass the initial EyeDetect screen proceed to a full polygraph examination. The polygraph's comprehensive interview and physiological measurement provide deeper assessment. Subjects who fail EyeDetect may be re-tested or eliminated. Finally, in the Combined Decision phase, the agency considers both EyeDetect and polygraph results alongside background investigation findings, psychological evaluation, and other assessment data.
Converus CEO Todd Mickelsen has stated that when both EyeDetect and polygraph tests produce the same result, accuracy reaches approximately 97-99% [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. This combined approach addresses concerns about either technology's individual error rates while maximizing screening throughput.
Practical Integration Challenges
Integrating EyeDetect into an existing polygraph program presents several challenges. Agencies must determine how to handle conflicting results — what happens when an applicant passes one test but fails the other. There is no established consensus on resolving such discrepancies. Some agencies may default to the polygraph result, while others may require additional testing or review.
Training and staffing considerations also come into play. While EyeDetect is designed to be administered by personnel without polygraph examiner training, agencies must ensure administrators understand the technology's capabilities and limitations. EyeDetect operator training is available through Converus and its service provider network. Some agencies have chosen to have their existing polygraph examiners manage the EyeDetect program, which ensures professional oversight but may negate some staffing efficiencies.
For agencies considering the transition, understanding the basic polygraph examiner course curriculum helps contextualize the different training requirements. The question of how professional polygraph services and EyeDetect can coexist within an agency's operational framework is still being worked out in practice, with early adopters developing best practices in real time.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
State Polygraph Mandates
One of the most significant legal considerations for agencies evaluating EyeDetect is the patchwork of state laws governing polygraph use in law enforcement hiring. Many states have statutes that specifically mandate or authorize polygraph testing as part of the law enforcement hiring process, referencing the polygraph by name and specifying examiner qualification requirements.
In states with explicit polygraph mandates, EyeDetect cannot simply replace the required polygraph examination. An agency that substituted EyeDetect for a statutorily mandated polygraph could face legal challenges to its hiring decisions. However, nothing in these mandates typically prevents an agency from adding EyeDetect as a supplementary screening tool, provided the required polygraph is still administered.
Recognizing this challenge, Converus developed EyeDetect+ in 2020 specifically to meet the functional definition of polygraph in states where lie detector laws reference traditional polygraph channels [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. By adding the optional Physio Tracker that gathers cardiovascular, respiration, and electrodermal activity data, EyeDetect+ was designed to be compliant with existing statutes in 17 states and the District of Columbia [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. However, agencies should verify compliance with their specific state requirements before deployment.
The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
The federal Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) restricts the use of polygraph testing by private employers but includes explicit exemptions for federal, state, and local government employers [6]Verified Polygraph Test Cost: Expert Guide
Confirms standard polygraph tests cost $400-$1,200 in 2025, pre-employment screenings around $350-$500, and CBP spending approximately $2,200 per exam. Law enforcement agencies are therefore not bound by EPPA's restrictions when using polygraphs for their own employees and applicants.
EPPA's language is broad enough that it also applies to lie detector tests other than the polygraph. Converus acknowledges on its FAQ page that "although the EPPA law specifically mentions polygraph, the law has been applied in practice more broadly to any lie detectors" and that "any lie detector is prohibited" for private employers [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. However, the government employer exemption renders this question moot for law enforcement agencies using EyeDetect on their own personnel.
Admissibility Considerations
While EyeDetect results are primarily used for administrative purposes rather than courtroom evidence, admissibility developments are noteworthy. In May 2018, EyeDetect was first used in a jury trial as evidence in a sexual assault case in Taos, New Mexico, where the judge approved a Daubert motion to admit EyeDetect test results [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. This represented a significant milestone for the technology.
Additionally, a judge in Ohio considered EyeDetect results among other evidence when dropping charges in a weapons possession case, and a Utah judge considered results when requesting an investigation into a police officer involved in a forced confession [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. However, Converus has stated that it has "never advocated for using EyeDetect test results alone as evidence in court cases" and recommends combining EyeDetect with polygraph for legal proceedings [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
For law enforcement agencies, the more immediate legal concern is whether hiring decisions based on EyeDetect results would withstand challenge from rejected applicants. Agencies should ensure they have a defensible framework for how EyeDetect results are used in decision-making, treating them as one data point among many rather than a sole determinant.
The Accuracy Debate: What Research Shows
Manufacturer-Reported Accuracy
Converus reports that EyeDetect detects deception at 86-88% accuracy for screening tests and 90% accuracy for diagnostic (single-issue) tests [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. For every 100 guilty or 100 innocent people tested, EyeDetect accurately classifies 88 people in screening tests and 90 in diagnostic tests, according to Converus [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. The EyeDetect+ automated polygraph reports 89-91% accuracy [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
Converus lists 12 peer-reviewed publications validating the ocular-motor deception test (ODT) protocol, with up to 91% accuracy reported [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. The earliest published field study results appeared in 2012 in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. Additional research was published in the International Journal of Applied Psychology, showing 85% accuracy that was consistent across English and Spanish-speaking populations [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
For comparison, the American Polygraph Association's meta-analysis found that event-specific diagnostic polygraph testing produced an aggregated decision accuracy of 89%, with a confidence interval of 83%-95% [15]Verified Polygraph Validity Research
Confirms APA meta-analysis found 89% aggregated decision accuracy for event-specific diagnostic testing and APA states examiners can attain accuracy exceeding 90%. The APA states that through strict adherence to training and education standards, APA examiners are able to attain accuracy rates exceeding 90% [15]Verified Polygraph Validity Research
Confirms APA meta-analysis found 89% aggregated decision accuracy for event-specific diagnostic testing and APA states examiners can attain accuracy exceeding 90%. An industry meta-analysis found an overall accuracy rate of 89% [16]Verified Do 'Lie Detectors' Work? What Psychological Science Says About Polygraphs
Reports industry meta-analysis found 89% accuracy rate for polygraph tests while noting the research was not independently conducted.
Independent Validation Concerns
One of the most significant criticisms of EyeDetect's evidence base is the limited amount of truly independent validation research. As The Intercept reported, all peer-reviewed academic studies of Converus' technology have been carried out by the company's own scientists or students in their labs [17]Verified EyeDetect Marketer Converus Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Lobbying Federal Agencies
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools. One professor quoted in The Intercept noted that "if the only evidence in a medical trial came from a researcher with a financial interest in the product, no one would dare to think it has proven efficacy" [17]Verified EyeDetect Marketer Converus Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Lobbying Federal Agencies
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools.
Furthermore, an academic book chapter by Converus chief scientist Dr. John Kircher revealed that accuracy rates can vary considerably from study to study, even dipping as low as 50% for guilty subjects in one experiment [17]Verified EyeDetect Marketer Converus Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Lobbying Federal Agencies
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools. A member of Converus's own advisory board expressed skepticism in 2020, stating that the database was "still relatively small" and came "mostly from one laboratory" [17]Verified EyeDetect Marketer Converus Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Lobbying Federal Agencies
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools.
The Department of Defense's National Center for Credibility Assessment (NCCA) maintains oversight of validation and pilot projects for new deception detection technologies throughout the U.S. government [17]Verified EyeDetect Marketer Converus Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Lobbying Federal Agencies
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools. DoD Directive 5210.91 and ODNI Security Agent Directive 2 currently prohibit the use of any credibility assessment solution other than polygraph for federal purposes [17]Verified EyeDetect Marketer Converus Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Lobbying Federal Agencies
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools, which has limited EyeDetect's adoption at the federal level. The U.S. State Department has facilitated over 50,000 EyeDetect tests across various countries since 2018 [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications, primarily for vetting local hires at embassies rather than for American personnel.
The Polygraph Examiner Community Debate
Professional Perspectives
The debate within the polygraph examiner community about EyeDetect is intense and multifaceted. Some examiners see value in having an additional tool that can help manage workload, particularly for high-volume pre-employment screening. Others view EyeDetect with skepticism, concerned that algorithmic scoring cannot replicate the nuanced professional judgment that experienced examiners bring to the process.
Research on interrogation techniques highlights why the human element matters. Studies have shown that trained interviewers using the Strategic Use of Evidence (SUE) technique achieved 65% deception detection accuracy compared to 43% for untrained interviewers — a 22 percentage point improvement [18]Verified Training in the Strategic Use of Evidence Technique: Improving Deception Detection Accuracy of American Law Enforcement Officers
Confirms SUE-trained interviewers achieved 65% deception detection accuracy vs. 43% for untrained, demonstrating value of skilled human assessment. This demonstrates the value of skilled human assessment that EyeDetect's automated approach cannot replicate. Similarly, research on guilty and innocent suspects' strategies during police interrogations has revealed that guilty suspects employ significantly higher use of strategic impression management [19]Verified Guilty and Innocent Suspects' Strategies During Police Interrogations
Found guilty suspects use significantly higher strategic impression management during interrogations, insights only available through human interaction, insights that emerge through human interaction.
Notably, research has also found that no differences in nonverbal behaviors distinguished liars from truth tellers during lengthy, high-stakes police interrogations, despite liars experiencing greater internal stress [20]Verified To Act Truthfully: Nonverbal Behaviour and Strategies During a Police Interrogation
Found no differences in nonverbal behaviors between liars and truth tellers during high-stakes interrogations, supporting the case for physiological measurement approaches. This finding actually supports the theoretical basis for ocular-motor testing — if observable nonverbal behavior doesn't reliably differentiate deception, perhaps involuntary physiological measures like pupil dilation offer a more promising avenue.
The EyeDetect vs voice stress analysis comparison is also relevant. State polygraph associations like the Ohio Association of Polygraph Examiners have explicitly taken positions against voice stress analysis, stating that "no published validated studies support CVSA's ability" to meet truth verification demands [21]Verified Ohio Association of Polygraph Examiners Position Statement
Confirms polygraph association position that no other techniques come close to the accuracy and validity of polygraph. EyeDetect's peer-reviewed research base, while limited, is more robust than that of voice stress analysis.
Deployment Considerations for Agencies
Equipment and Infrastructure Requirements
Deploying EyeDetect requires relatively modest infrastructure compared to establishing a polygraph program. A standard EyeDetect station consists of a computer, an infrared eye-tracking camera mounted below the monitor, and a chin rest for the examinee. Converus released EyeDetect 5.1 in February 2026, introducing real-time monitoring capabilities that allow test administrators to identify subject cooperation issues or technical interruptions before a test is finalized [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
For agencies requiring compliance with state polygraph statutes, EyeDetect+ adds the Physio Tracker — a photoelectric plethysmograph sensor and two cables attached to the examinee's fingers, powered by USB [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. This optional add-on captures cardiovascular, respiration, and electrodermal activity data to meet functional polygraph definitions.
Agencies should also consider internet connectivity requirements (data must be uploaded to Converus servers for scoring), physical space for quiet testing environments, and ongoing software licensing costs. Learn more about EyeDetect operator training requirements for staffing planning.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
The financial case for EyeDetect depends heavily on agency size and testing volume. Standard polygraph tests cost $400-$1,200 in 2025, with pre-employment screenings averaging $350-$500 [6]Verified Polygraph Test Cost: Expert Guide
Confirms standard polygraph tests cost $400-$1,200 in 2025, pre-employment screenings around $350-$500, and CBP spending approximately $2,200 per exam. Converus states that EyeDetect tests cost about one-third the price of a polygraph [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. For detailed pricing analysis, see our EyeDetect cost guide.
Beyond per-test costs, agencies should factor in examiner salary savings (or reallocation), reduced hiring timeline costs, and the value of processing more applicants in less time during a recruitment crisis. However, agencies must also account for EyeDetect station procurement, software licensing, administrator training, and the potential cost of false positives — losing qualified candidates who might have passed a traditional polygraph. The review of polygraph and psychophysiological assessments in law enforcement highlights the tension between integrity assessment needs and the risk of erroneously excluding suitable candidates [22]Verified To Use or Not to Use? Revisiting and Rethinking the Use of Polygraph and Psychophysiological Assessments in the Law Enforcement Setting
Highlights tension between law enforcement integrity assessment needs and risks of erroneously excluding suitable candidates.
Agencies Currently Using EyeDetect
As of early 2026, Converus reports over 1,000 customers worldwide, including more than 100 U.S. law enforcement agencies [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. Named agencies include Kent PD (Washington), Salt Lake City PD, Idaho State Police, Boise PD, Meridian PD, Palm Springs PD (California), Page PD (Arizona), University of Florida PD, Bernalillo County Sheriff (New Mexico), Wyoming Highway Patrol, Nampa PD (Idaho), Greensboro PD (North Carolina), and Livingston Parish Sheriff (Louisiana), among others [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. In Utah alone, ten law enforcement agencies use the technology, including sheriff's offices in Utah, Davis, and Cache counties [10]Verified The Eyes Have It: Converus EyeDetect Coverage
Confirms 75 U.S. law enforcement agency contracts at time of reporting, 32% applicant failure rate, and 85% fail due to drug use dishonesty.
Internationally, EyeDetect operates in over 60 countries in 50+ languages [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. Federal agency customers include entities in Singapore, Poland, Ukraine, Jamaica, Barbados, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Czechia, Malaysia, and South Korea [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. The technology is also being explored by organizations across Africa — for more context, see our guides on EyeDetect for African law enforcement and polygraph anti-corruption programs in Africa.
Limitations and Concerns
Scientific and Practical Limitations
Agencies considering EyeDetect should carefully weigh several limitations. The published validation studies generally involved controlled laboratory settings where ground truth was known. The extent to which these results translate to real-world law enforcement screening — with higher stakes, diverse populations, and motivated examinees — remains an open question.
Any substance or medication that affects reaction time, eye movement, or pupil dilation will affect EyeDetect results [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. This includes prescription medications, recent drug or alcohol use, and certain medical conditions. Agencies must develop protocols for screening examinees for these factors before testing.
The technology also cannot accommodate individuals with certain visual impairments, and the requirement to read true/false statements on screen may disadvantage examinees with reading difficulties or limited English proficiency, though Converus has expanded the system to support 50+ languages.
Critically, EyeDetect's sensitivity threshold can be adjusted by test administrators, which means the same underlying data could produce different pass/fail outcomes depending on the threshold selected [17]Verified EyeDetect Marketer Converus Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Lobbying Federal Agencies
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools. Agencies should establish clear, consistent policies about sensitivity settings to ensure fairness and defensibility.
For agencies navigating security clearance polygraph requirements, EyeDetect cannot currently substitute for federally mandated polygraph examinations due to DoD directives that prohibit alternative credibility assessment solutions.
Future Outlook for Ocular Credibility Assessment
Technology Evolution and Industry Trends
The credibility assessment landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Converus launched VerifEye in 2024, a mobile app that uses a person's smartphone camera as an eye-tracking device for a 10-minute self-administered test [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications. While intended for lower-stakes verification rather than law enforcement screening, this signals the direction of the technology toward greater accessibility and scalability.
Converus's lobbying efforts at the federal level — including contacts with the CIA, DHS, Department of Defense, and National Security Agency [17]Verified EyeDetect Marketer Converus Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Lobbying Federal Agencies
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools — suggest the company is pursuing broader adoption across the U.S. government. However, the DoD's current directive prohibiting alternatives to polygraph remains a significant barrier.
The passing of Dr. John Kircher in November 2025 [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications — Converus's chief scientist and the co-inventor of both EyeDetect and the computerized polygraph — represents a significant loss for the field. Converus has appointed Dr. Andrea Webb, formerly of the U.S. Army's Draper Laboratory, to its Technical Advisory Board to continue advancing the science [1]Verified Converus – EyeDetect Official Website and Press Releases
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications.
For law enforcement agencies, the practical recommendation remains clear: EyeDetect works best as a complement to existing polygraph programs rather than a wholesale replacement. As independent validation research accumulates and more agencies share operational data, the evidence base will strengthen and deployment best practices will become clearer. Agencies interested in exploring how EyeDetect or polygraph testing can support their screening programs can book a consultation with an expert.
Assess Legal Requirements
Review your state's polygraph mandates, civil service rules, and union contracts to determine whether EyeDetect can supplement or must coexist with required polygraph testing. Consult legal counsel about defensibility of hiring decisions.
Define Deployment Model
Determine whether EyeDetect will serve as a first-tier pre-screen before polygraph, a parallel assessment tool, or a standalone screening method for specific use cases. Most agencies find the layered approach most effective.
Evaluate Infrastructure Needs
Assess requirements for testing space, internet connectivity, EyeDetect stations, and optional EyeDetect+ Physio Tracker components. Plan for quiet, controlled testing environments.
Train Administrators
Complete Converus operator certification training. Decide whether existing polygraph examiners or dedicated support staff will administer tests. Establish standard operating procedures for test administration.
Establish Decision Protocols
Create clear policies for how EyeDetect results will factor into hiring decisions, how conflicting results between EyeDetect and polygraph will be handled, and how sensitivity thresholds will be set consistently.
Pilot and Evaluate
Run a pilot program comparing EyeDetect outcomes against traditional polygraph results for a defined group of applicants. Track metrics including false positive rates, processing time savings, cost reduction, and examiner feedback.
Pros
- Test completion in 15-30 minutes versus 2-4 hours for traditional polygraph, dramatically increasing screening throughput
- Automated scoring eliminates inter-examiner variability and potential human bias in result interpretation
- Significantly lower per-test cost — approximately one-third the price of a traditional polygraph examination
- A single proctor can administer up to 15 tests daily compared to 2-3 full polygraph exams per examiner
- Non-contact and non-invasive — no sensors attached to the examinee, reducing subject anxiety
- Available in 50+ languages, supporting diverse applicant populations
- 12 peer-reviewed publications supporting the ocular-motor deception test protocol
- EyeDetect+ version meets functional polygraph definition in 17 states and D.C.
- Real-time monitoring in version 5.1 helps identify cooperation issues during testing
Cons
- All published peer-reviewed validation studies were conducted by Converus-affiliated scientists — no truly independent replication exists
- Cannot replace polygraph in jurisdictions with explicit statutory mandates for polygraph testing
- No interview component means the technology cannot elicit spontaneous admissions or investigative leads
- Accuracy rates vary from study to study, with one experiment showing rates as low as 50% for guilty subjects
- DoD directives currently prohibit EyeDetect as an alternative to polygraph for federal credibility assessment
- Medications, substances, and medical conditions affecting eyes or cognitive function can impact results
- Adjustable sensitivity thresholds mean different agencies may get different results from the same underlying data
- The American Polygraph Association has not endorsed EyeDetect as equivalent to the polygraph
- Limited courtroom admissibility — only one Daubert motion has been granted for EyeDetect evidence
For Private Matters, Not Agencies: The Online Eye Lie Detector Test
Agency screening is a different world from private use. The consumer eye lie detector test at EyeLieDetectorTest.com plays no part in police or agency vetting; it serves adults who want to confirm their own credibility in a personal matter, from home.
How the service describes its test:
- It measures pupil changes, reading patterns, response time and blinking while you answer simple true/false statements about one specific issue.
- It takes about 20 minutes on a laptop or phone, including live lighting and camera checks and an individual calibration.
- The result is a written PDF report with a 1–99 credibility score and an uncertainty interval; scores in the 40–60 band are reported as inconclusive.
- Preparation, calibration and the test are free — payment is only to unlock the result, and inconclusive or low-quality sessions are not charged.
The service calls its result a probabilistic screening estimate, not proof of truth or deception, and says it is for adults voluntarily confirming their own credibility — not for workplace, recruitment, educational or court use. Where the stakes are high or other people will rely on the outcome, an examiner-led polygraph remains the stronger option: find a polygraph office and current prices. For a step-by-step walk-through of the online format, see our page on taking an eye lie detector test online; for the research behind the method, see our guide to the science of the eye lie detector test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EyeDetect legally replace the polygraph for law enforcement pre-employment screening?
In most cases, no. Many states have statutes that specifically mandate polygraph testing by name for law enforcement hiring. In these jurisdictions, EyeDetect cannot substitute for the required polygraph, though it can serve as a supplementary screening tool. In states without specific polygraph mandates, agencies generally have more flexibility. Converus developed EyeDetect+ specifically to meet the functional definition of polygraph in 17 states and the District of Columbia by adding traditional physiological measurement capabilities. Agencies should consult legal counsel about their specific jurisdiction's requirements before deployment.
How accurate is EyeDetect compared to traditional polygraph?
Converus reports EyeDetect accuracy of 86-88% for screening tests and 90% for diagnostic tests. EyeDetect+ (the automated polygraph version) reports 89-91% accuracy. For comparison, the APA's meta-analysis found aggregated decision accuracy of 89% for event-specific diagnostic polygraph testing, and the APA states that properly trained examiners can attain accuracy rates exceeding 90%. However, it's important to note that all published EyeDetect validation studies were conducted by Converus-affiliated scientists, and independent replication has not yet been conducted.
How much does an EyeDetect test cost compared to a polygraph?
Converus states that EyeDetect tests cost about one-third the price of a traditional polygraph. Standard polygraph tests range from $400 to $1,200, with pre-employment screenings typically averaging $350-$500. Individual EyeDetect service providers charge varying rates — for example, one provider lists $300 for a standard EyeDetect test. The cost advantage becomes especially significant at scale for agencies processing hundreds or thousands of applicants annually.
Which law enforcement agencies currently use EyeDetect?
As of early 2026, Converus reports over 100 U.S. law enforcement agencies use EyeDetect. Named agencies include Kent PD (Washington), Salt Lake City PD, Idaho State Police, Boise PD, Palm Springs PD (California), Page PD (Arizona), University of Florida PD, Bernalillo County Sheriff (New Mexico), Wyoming Highway Patrol, Greensboro PD (North Carolina), and Livingston Parish Sheriff (Louisiana), among others. Internationally, the technology operates in 60+ countries.
Has EyeDetect been admitted as evidence in court?
Yes, in limited cases. In May 2018, a New Mexico district court judge granted a Daubert motion to admit EyeDetect results as evidence in a sexual assault case — the first such judicial acceptance. A judge in Ohio also considered EyeDetect results when dropping charges in a weapons possession case. However, Converus itself states it has never advocated for using EyeDetect results alone as evidence and recommends combining EyeDetect with polygraph for legal proceedings. Courtroom use remains extremely rare.
What is the difference between EyeDetect and EyeDetect+?
Standard EyeDetect measures only ocular-motor responses (pupil dilation, blink rate, eye movements, reading behavior) during a 15-30 minute true/false computer test, with reported 86-88% accuracy. EyeDetect+ adds a 'Physio Tracker' device that also captures cardiovascular, respiration, and electrodermal activity — the same physiological channels measured by a traditional polygraph. This was designed to meet the functional definition of polygraph in states with restrictive lie detector statutes, with reported accuracy of 89-91%.
Can someone beat or cheat an EyeDetect test?
According to Converus, because pupils react involuntarily to increases in cognitive load, it is very difficult to consciously control the ocular responses that EyeDetect measures. Unlike polygraph, where various countermeasure techniques have been discussed publicly, EyeDetect's reliance on involuntary ocular-motor responses may offer some resistance to deliberate manipulation. However, any substance or medication that affects reaction time, eye movement, or pupil dilation could impact results.
What training is required to administer EyeDetect?
EyeDetect is designed to be administered by personnel without polygraph examiner training. Converus offers operator certification training through its service provider network. This is substantially less investment than polygraph examiner training, which requires 10-13 weeks of full-time attendance at an APA-accredited school followed by an internship. However, agencies should ensure administrators understand the technology's capabilities, limitations, and proper test administration protocols.
Does the American Polygraph Association endorse EyeDetect?
The APA has not endorsed EyeDetect as equivalent to the polygraph. While several of EyeDetect's primary researchers — particularly Dr. John Kircher and Dr. David Raskin — were respected figures within the polygraph science community, the technology remains a separate credibility assessment method. Some APA members have embraced EyeDetect as a complementary tool, while others express significant concerns about replacing human judgment with algorithmic scoring.
Sources & References
Confirms EyeDetect accuracy claims of 86-90%, deployment in 60+ countries, 100+ US law enforcement agencies, technology development history, and EyeDetect+ specifications
Confirms projected significant shortage of private polygraph examiners beginning 2025 due to retirement and attrition
Confirms polygraph training typically lasts 10-13 weeks and details examiner career paths and qualification requirements
Confirms polygraph costs of $400-$1,200 on average, EyeDetect claims of up to 88% accuracy, and notes EyeDetect lacks independent peer-reviewed research
Reveals discrepancies between professional confidence and scientific evidence regarding deception detection accuracy among police and psychologists
Confirms standard polygraph tests cost $400-$1,200 in 2025, pre-employment screenings around $350-$500, and CBP spending approximately $2,200 per exam
Confirms PERF found 63% of agencies reported decreased applicant numbers, and IACP found 78% had difficulty recruiting qualified candidates
Confirms PERF survey data showing officer resignations up 47% and retirements up 19% compared to 2019
Confirms police hiring process can take from a few months to more than a year depending on the agency
Confirms 75 U.S. law enforcement agency contracts at time of reporting, 32% applicant failure rate, and 85% fail due to drug use dishonesty
Confirms judicial precedent permits requiring employees to submit to polygraph during bona fide internal investigations with strict procedural safeguards
Proposes standardized screening polygraph format with directed-lie comparison questions, relevant to understanding standardized screening approaches
Documents the evolution of polygraph from pure detection tool to interview-enhancing instrument that promotes confession and disclosure
Found polygraph-tested supervisees were nearly 6 times more likely to make at least one risk-relevant disclosure in a two-year evaluation across nine UK police areas
Confirms APA meta-analysis found 89% aggregated decision accuracy for event-specific diagnostic testing and APA states examiners can attain accuracy exceeding 90%
Reports industry meta-analysis found 89% accuracy rate for polygraph tests while noting the research was not independently conducted
Reports on Converus lobbying efforts, accuracy rate concerns, lack of independent peer-reviewed research, and DoD directives prohibiting alternative credibility assessment tools
Confirms SUE-trained interviewers achieved 65% deception detection accuracy vs. 43% for untrained, demonstrating value of skilled human assessment
Found guilty suspects use significantly higher strategic impression management during interrogations, insights only available through human interaction
Found no differences in nonverbal behaviors between liars and truth tellers during high-stakes interrogations, supporting the case for physiological measurement approaches
Confirms polygraph association position that no other techniques come close to the accuracy and validity of polygraph
Highlights tension between law enforcement integrity assessment needs and risks of erroneously excluding suitable candidates
For agencies weighing modern screening options, find a lie detector test near you and compare pricing at professional testing locations across the country.
