The requirements that are placed on an Michigan State Police polygraph examiner consist of possessing a four-year Bachelor’s degree with an intense background in behavioral science, completing a three month basic Polygraph school, and then trained under a fully licensed intern supervisor within the unit for a period of two years. During the training period the intern must successfully complete 200 specific issue polygraph examinations. Prior to becoming fully licensed as a polygraph examiner the intern must pass the State of Michigan examination.

The examiner must continue his education program with a minimum requirement of at least 40 hours of training in the polygraph field within a two-year period to keep his license. The Department of State Police promotes continual education and is an advocate of training more than the basic requirement. Several of the examiners also teach and put on programs for interviewing and interrogation which assists in maintaining their skills at a peak level.

The opinions of examiners fall within the following ranges: Deceptive, Truthful, or Inconclusive. Approximately 50% of MSP polygraph examinations are truthful, approximately 50% deceptive, and less than 1% are found to be inconclusive. This range of opinions allows the examiner to take into account variables that may exist that are both intentional as well as non-intentional. A person’s psychology as well as their physiology may effect the outcome of an exam.