Have you been noticing a change in your partner’s behavior? Are you beginning to wonder if they might be cheating on you? In our time working as a private investigator and polygraph examiner in Knoxville, TN, we have come across more than our fair share of cheating spouses, and they all have one thing in common - deception! A cheater will always have some excuse to cover up their lies, but often, they reuse the same handful of options to explain away their absence from home.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common excuses made by cheating spouses to explain the need to get out of the house to meet their affair partner!
1 - An Urgent Need to Buy Groceries!
In a recent study of over 7500 cheats, the number one excuse given to leave their home was ‘I have to go pick up some milk’. While your partner wanting to go pick up milk or other groceries is not in itself suspicious on its own, if you see an increase in sudden urgent trips to the grocery store, especially for non-emergency items, it could be an indication that the true purpose of these spur of the moment shopping trips is a clandestine meeting with someone!
2 - I Have to Work Late
It might sound like a cliche from a bad movie, but staying late at the office more frequently is definitely one of the most common excuses used by cheating partners. While many people sometimes experience periods of unexpected overtime, if your partner is routinely staying late at work and is not giving information about what they are working on or who they will be working with, it can be a cause for concern. As a polygraph examiner in Knoxville, TN, we have seen a large number of couples who have concerns about a potential workplace affair.
3 - A Sudden Interest in the Gym
Another red flag when it comes to a potential cheating partner is a sudden interest in frequent visits to the gym. The reason for this is two-fold. First of all, heading to the gym gives them a reasonable excuse to be out of the house and not answering their phone for a couple of hours. Secondly, it is not unusual for a cheating spouse to take a sudden interest in improving their appearance. This often manifests in new clothes, taking care of their hair, or working out more. If your partner is uncharacteristically spending a lot of time at the gym, then it could be time to talk to a polygraph examiner in Knoxville, TN, to get to the bottom of their behavior change.
4 - Catching Up With Old Friends
There is absolutely nothing unusual about your partner hanging out with friends without you being invited, but catching up with an old friend is also a very common excuse used by cheating partners. The question is, how can you tell the difference between an innocent meet-up and a potential affair? The problem arises when your partner is acting strangely about these meetings. For example, they may make a big deal out of having to go meet an old friend when they would rather stay home in an attempt to throw you off the scent. They may also be cagey about revealing who this friend is or where they will be meeting up.
5 - Needing to Support a Friend or Family Member
Sometimes our friends and loved ones face challenges in their lives, such as job losses, relationship breakups, illness, or bereavement. It’s only natural to want to offer support when times are tough. However, it is also an excellent way to stay away from a partner for extended periods. After all, who will question someone comforting their distraught friend or relative for a few hours? Unfortunately, it is something that a cheater will very quickly take advantage of to cover up their infidelity. They may not be fabricating the challenge the person is facing, but they could be lying about just how much time they are dedicating to offer support. That’s where a polygraph examiner in Knoxville can help you uncover the truth in this type of situation.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Partner of Cheating
If you suspect your partner is cheating, working with a professional polygraph examiner in Knoxville can help bring clarity. Before pursuing a lie detector test, have an open and honest conversation with your partner about your concerns. If doubts persist, a polygraph can be a tool to confirm or dispel suspicions. In Knoxville, experienced polygraph examiners follow strict protocols to ensure accuracy and confidentiality. They will ask clear, relevant questions and provide detailed results. While polygraphs are not foolproof, they can offer valuable insight. It’s important to approach the situation with care—polygraph tests can be emotionally charged. Consider seeking counseling or mediation to support healthy communication throughout the process.
Suspecting your partner of cheating is an emotionally challenging experience, but recognizing common excuses can help you identify potential red flags. While not every sudden gym membership or late night at the office is proof of infidelity, repeated suspicious behavior may warrant further investigation. If you find yourself questioning your partner’s honesty, working with a professional polygraph examiner in Knoxville, TN, can help you uncover the truth. A lie detector test can either confirm your suspicions or provide reassurance, giving you the clarity needed to move forward. Ultimately, whether the results reveal deception or honesty, having concrete answers can help you make informed decisions about your relationship.
Uncover the truth!
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Ken Shull served as a Special Agent with the FBI for almost 25 years and was head of the FBI Polygraph program until his retirement in 2001. At that time he set up the Kendall Investigations practice as a private investigator in Knoxville, TN offering Polygraph services, private investigations, and security guards. Ken is a member of the American Polygraph Association and The American Association of Police Polygraphists.
The Truth is Still the Truth Even if No One Believes it, A Lie is Still a Lie Even if Everyone Believes it.
