Polygraph
Information Services in Pretoria

It is the position of the South African Professional Polygraph Association that a polygraph examination, properly administered by a well trained and competent polygraph examiner, using validated testing principles and procedures, has a high degree of accuracy in detecting deception or otherwise determining the truthfulness of provided information.
Why use a SAPPA member as your polygraph examiner.
SAPPA is a professional organization that promotes quality polygraph services to the society, to lead in the regulation and conduct of the profession, and to defend the profession so it can contribute in a positive way to the society it serves.

SAPPA 2017 Board of Directors The board members are responsible for the administration of the affairs of the Association and is authorized to take any action necessary to protect the best interests of the Association. Quality is achieved by way of training, experience and adherence to professional standards. Training and experience alone do not increase the probability of an accurate test result when professional standards or other validated testing principles and procedures are not followed. The ASTM International is a standards development body with more than a hundred years of developing testing and materials standards and has Memorandums of Understanding with more than 66 countries, including South Africa. The polygraph instrument shall be given a functionality or calibration test consistent with manufacturer recommendations. Conditions under which testing occurs shall be free from distractions that would interfere with the ability of the examinee to appropriately focus on the issues being addressed. The examination site should be relatively free from noise, movement and other distraction. Sufficient time must be spent to ensure that the examinee has a reasonable understanding of the polygraph process and the requirement for co-operation. Sufficient time must be spent to discuss the issues to be tested and to allow the examinee to fully explain his/her answers. Sufficient time must be spent to ensure the examinee recognizes and understands each question. It is recommended for all initial examinations for any specific issue or investigative examination. Questions to be evaluated for truthfulness must be asked with clarity and distinctiveness. Examiners must collect a sufficient number of charts so as to acquire sufficient data for proper evaluation, in conformity with a validated testing technique. Empirical evidence has established that the more widely utilized techniques that have the higher degree of validity require between 3 and 5 repetitions (charts) of all questions to be evaluated for truthfulness. An audio or an audio/video recording of the pre-test and in-test phases must be made and maintained for evidentiary examinations and an exam submitted for quality control review purposes. Scoring Examiners must employ quantitative or numerical scoring for all evidentiary examinations and for all specific issue investigative examinations. Examiners must not disclose the results of the examination until it has been adequately and sufficiently analysed. A conclusive diagnosis should not be rendered when the physiological records (charts) lack sufficient quality and clarity.