Constituted by its members in 2017 and governed by a written Constitution under the law of England and Wales. Publishes a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice binding on its members.
The Society's complete framework: Constitution, Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Complaints Procedure, Membership Regulations, Defined Terms, and six further policies binding on members.
The UK statutory polygraph testing regime applies in England and Wales and is administered by HM Prison and Probation Service. The BPS has no statutory or regulatory role.
Members in good standing may use the "MBPS" post-nominal, Senior Members "SMBPS". Appearance in the BPS directory indicates current APA certification and adherence to the Code of Ethics.
A consensual polygraph examination by a BPS member requires your informed written consent. Statutory testing under the Offender Management Act 2007 or Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is separate.
A BPS-standards examination is conducted in person, runs for at least 90 minutes, uses a validated polygraph technique, and is followed by a written report.
Society announcements, public guidance, statutory analysis, and research summaries — published by the BPS and authored to the Society's editorial standards.
The terminology of polygraph examination, in plain language — covering instrumentation, testing technique, scoring, physiology, and the legal and ethical context in which the work is done. Compiled and maintained by the British Polygraph Society.
