Inconclusive polygraph result: what it means and what happens next

What "inconclusive" actually means

After the charts are collected, the examiner scores them and reaches one of a few outcomes. Inconclusive, sometimes called no opinion, means the charts did not give enough clear information to call the test either way.

That is a statement about the recordings, not about you. The examiner is not saying you were lying, and is not saying you were telling the truth. They are saying the data was not good enough to decide.

Labels and scoring rules differ between examiners and organizations, so ask what exactly was written on your report.

Why a result comes back inconclusive

An examiner needs clean, consistent reactions to compare. Several things can get in the way:

• Weak reactions. Some people show very small changes in breathing, heart rate or sweating, so there is not enough difference between questions to score.
• Reactions everywhere. The opposite problem: if you are very anxious, you may react strongly to everything, and no question stands out from the rest.
• Movement and noise. Shifting in the chair, coughing, sighing, or sounds in the room can spoil a chart.
• Your physical state. Tiredness, pain, illness, some medications and some medical conditions can flatten or distort the readings.
• Unclear questions. If you were unsure what a question meant, your reaction may not match the question the examiner thought they were asking.

The National Research Council noted that the person's emotional state and the testing conditions can affect what the sensors record, which is one reason scoring is never fully mechanical.

Is an inconclusive result better or worse than a fail?

It depends on who tested you and why. A fail is a negative opinion. An inconclusive is an open question, and open questions are handled differently:

• Many organizations offer a repeat test. This is the most common outcome, sometimes after a break or on another day.
• Some treat it as a negative. In certain screening settings, a result that cannot be resolved can still count against you.
• Some look at the whole file. Interviews, background checks and other information may carry as much weight as the test.

So do not assume the worst, and do not assume it is harmless. Find out how it will be recorded.

What to do next

1. Ask what happens now.Before you leave, or in writing afterwards: is a retest possible, how soon, with which examiner, and how will this result be recorded.
2. Write down what happened.Note how you slept, any medication, whether you felt unwell, any question you found unclear, any interruptions, and what the examiner said after the charts.
3. Do not volunteer explanations to fill the silence.An inconclusive result can feel like an invitation to explain. Stay factual, and never admit to anything that did not happen.
4. Think about what may have muddied the charts.Look for a pattern: a particular topic, a physical issue or a misunderstanding. This is what you will address before a retest.

Preparing for a retest

• Know the process. Understanding the four phases takes away the surprise that drives stress reactions.
• Raise questions early. In the pre-test interview, ask the examiner to explain any question you are unsure about and agree its exact wording.
• Disclose health and medication. Tell the examiner about anything that could affect your heart rate, breathing or sweating.
• Look after the basics. Sleep, eat normally and go easy on caffeine.
• Sit still, answer plainly. Yes or no, without commentary, at a natural pace.

If the result turns into a fail

If the retest also goes badly, or the organization treats the inconclusive result as negative, the situation changes. Our guide on what to do after failing a polygraph while telling the truth covers the first 24 hours, your options for review or appeal, and your rights. For the usual causes behind weak or unclear charts, see the top 10 reasons for failing a polygraph.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

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