Understanding “Inconclusive” Results in Polygraph Testing

Written By Jeff Rhoades

By Olympic Mountain Polygraph, LLC

An “inconclusive” polygraph result is often misunderstood. It does not mean the examinee is deceptive, nor does it mean they are truthful. Instead, it reflects that the physiological data did not clearly support either conclusion under established scoring criteria.

Why Inconclusive Outcomes Occur

Several factors can contribute to an inconclusive result, including:

  • Excessive movement or physiological artifacts

  • Medical or psychological conditions that affect responses

  • Ambiguous or inconsistent physiological patterns

  • Poor question clarity or unexpected examinee confusion

In such cases, forcing a definitive conclusion would be scientifically improper.

What “Inconclusive” Actually Means

An inconclusive finding simply means that the data did not meet the threshold for a clear opinion of truthfulness or deception. It is a neutral outcome, not an accusation.

Reasonable Next Steps

Depending on circumstances, options may include:

  • Re-testing at a later date

  • Clarifying issues and refining questions

  • Addressing underlying factors before proceeding

Professional examiners are transparent about inconclusive results and avoid overstating what the data support.

For questions about results interpretation, contact Olympic Mountain Polygraph.

Olympic Mountain Polygraph, LLC
360-545-3630 | Jeff@OlympicMountainPolygraph.com
Truth Verified. Trust Earned.

Jeff Rhoades
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