Building Trust and Rapport in Polygraph Examinations
A skilled polygraph examiner understands the critical importance of establishing rapport with clients. At Lie Detectors UK, we employ fully qualified APA examiners trained in the art of building trust and fostering open communication. This article explores why rapport is essential in polygraph testing and outlines strategies to achieve it effectively.
The Role of Rapport in Polygraph Testing
Polygraph testing aims to uncover a complete, truthful, and accurate account of events through interviews and responses to specific questions. Rapport plays a vital role in creating an environment conducive to open communication between the examiner and the examinee. It serves as the foundation for effective information exchange and ensures participants feel comfortable and understood.
Establishing rapport is not just about pleasantries; it has a strategic purpose. It builds trust and fosters a connection that helps elicit quality information, which is particularly useful in criminal investigations. In these contexts, rapport can help uncover details necessary for solving crimes by reducing barriers to communication.
What is Rapport?
Rapport refers to the ability to connect with someone on a personal level, sharing an understanding of their feelings, interests, values, and beliefs. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, rapport is “a state of sympathy that facilitates influence or communication.” In interviews, building and maintaining rapport allows examiners to influence behavior, gain trust, and persuade individuals to share vital information.
In investigative and polygraph settings, rapport helps generate confidence in the examinee, enabling them to share information more openly. This is particularly important when dealing with sensitive or high-stakes situations, where effective communication can make the difference between success and failure.
How to Build Rapport
According to Morgan & Cogger (1982), simple actions like a warm greeting, a firm handshake, and a professional introduction can help establish rapport. However, not all examinees are cooperative, and some may display hostility or resistance. In such cases, the examiner must adapt and use proven strategies to overcome barriers and foster trust.
Acevedo (2007) highlights the importance of the first few minutes of an interview, noting that early decisions and actions can set the tone for the entire interaction. Examiners can build rapport by addressing the basic needs of the examinee and clearly outlining the process. This includes:
- Introducing themselves and explaining their role in the interview.
- Clearly stating the purpose of the interview.
- Providing an overview of the interview process and addressing any concerns.
- Explaining the examinee’s rights and ensuring they feel comfortable asking questions.
- Reassuring examinees about practical needs, such as access to water or restroom breaks.
These steps, when done respectfully and transparently, help create a positive environment where the examinee feels valued and understood.
Additional Tactics to Build Rapport
- Reduce Tension: Start with light, casual questions to put the examinee at ease, such as “How’s your day going?” or “Did you have any trouble getting here?”
- Show Empathy: Acknowledge that the process can be stressful and reassure them that their feelings are normal. For example, say, “It’s natural to feel nervous about this, but as we proceed, you’ll start to feel more comfortable.”
- Clarify Procedures: Break down each step of the process in simple terms and emphasize mutual respect throughout.
- Encourage Open Communication: Use open-ended questions to promote dialogue and minimize monosyllabic responses.
- Assert Authority Respectfully: Ensure the examinee understands that the examiner holds authority while maintaining professionalism.
- Adapt to the Examinee’s Needs: Tailor the approach to match the examinee’s mental and emotional capacity. For example, avoid using technical jargon if the examinee has an intellectual disability.
Once these steps are implemented, examiners can gauge the success of rapport-building by observing non-verbal cues. Mirrored gestures, tone of voice, and body language are strong indicators that communication is flowing effectively.
The Devil’s Advocate Technique
The “devil’s advocate” technique is a conversational strategy where the examiner challenges or questions a position to provoke debate or test the strength of beliefs. While traditionally used to validate arguments, this approach can be adapted to build rapport by uncovering shared interests or viewpoints.
For instance, in a workplace scenario, someone might challenge a prevailing political opinion in a group discussion to identify allies or foster deeper connections. Similarly, in polygraph scenarios, this technique can be used to discuss related topics, easing tension and improving communication. While it’s not suitable for assessing truth in criminal investigations, it can be a valuable tool for generating rapport in polygraph examinations.
Rapport and Trust in Polygraph Examinations
Polygraph tests often evoke a range of emotions in examinees, from anxiety and fear to resentment and frustration. These feelings can stem from perceptions of being judged or doubts about the test’s accuracy. For truthful examinees, there may also be a fear of error—worrying that the machine might misinterpret their honesty. This anxiety can lead to erratic physiological responses, which may affect the test results.
For deceptive examinees, the hope often lies in “beating the system.” To address these dynamics, examiners must establish trust and demonstrate the polygraph’s reliability. This involves explaining the process thoroughly, showcasing the examiner’s competence, and fostering a sense of fairness and transparency.
Strategies to Build Trust
- Provide detailed information about the test beforehand, including its purpose, procedure, and the rights of the examinee.
- Create a welcoming and professional environment, free from distractions.
- Use straightforward language and avoid overly technical explanations.
- Address the examinee’s concerns and clarify any misconceptions.
- Conduct a preliminary “acquaintance test” to demonstrate the process and build confidence.
- Emphasize that the test is voluntary, reinforcing the examinee’s autonomy.
A word of caution: While building rapport is essential, examiners must avoid being overly familiar. Maintaining professionalism ensures the examinee respects the process and takes it seriously.
Conclusion
Rapport is the cornerstone of successful polygraph examinations. It fosters trust, eases anxiety, and promotes open communication, leading to clearer and more reliable results. By combining empathy, professionalism, and effective communication strategies, polygraph examiners can create an environment where examinees feel understood and respected. Whether in investigative interviews or polygraph testing, the ability to build rapport is an invaluable skill that enhances the integrity and accuracy of the process.
As the Lie Detectors UK team demonstrates, creating rapport is not just about making people feel comfortable—it’s about laying the groundwork for meaningful and productive communication.