Sports Law Polygraph
Expert-led forensic psychophysiology for doping allegations, match integrity disputes, conduct investigations, and athlete credibility matters.
When an allegation threatens an athlete’s career, reputation, eligibility, or sponsorship, the response must be swift, scientifically grounded, and legally defensible. The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience provides specialist sports law polygraph and credibility assessments led by Dr Keith Ashcroft, an internationally instructed Consultant Investigative Psychologist and Forensic Polygraph Consultant with experience giving evidence before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Led by Dr Keith Ashcroft
Dr Keith Ashcroft, founder of The Centre for Forensic Neuroscience, brings more than two decades of clinical, investigative, and forensic experience to complex credibility disputes. His work has supported legal teams, sporting bodies, and athletes in high-stakes matters where reputation, fairness, and evidential reliability are critical.
Specialist Support for Sports Integrity Disputes
Doping & PED Allegations
Evaluating claims regarding the intentional or inadvertent use of performance-enhancing drugs and banned substances.
Match-Fixing & Corruption
Assessments related to betting rings, match manipulation, spot-fixing, and illicit financial incentives.
Conduct & Safeguarding
Investigating complex athlete conduct allegations, safeguarding concerns, and interpersonal disputes within teams.
Breach of Codes
Independent verification of adherence to team, federation, or governing body regulations and ethical codes.
Selection & Eligibility
Providing evidential support in disciplinary disputes that threaten an athlete's selection or ongoing eligibility.
Reputation Protection
Handling reputation-critical allegations involving sponsors, clubs, agents, or intense media scrutiny.
Designed for Legal Teams and Arbitration Proceedings
The Centre works with solicitors, counsel, sports law firms, athlete representatives, clubs, and governing bodies requiring a carefully scoped credibility assessment. Each instruction is approached as a forensic exercise: suitability screening, issue definition, protocol selection, examination, quality control, and a detailed expert report capable of assisting legal strategy, negotiation, disciplinary proceedings, or arbitration.
Our credibility assessments may assist proceedings but are not a substitute for legal advice, laboratory evidence, or full investigation, subject to legal context and tribunal discretion.
- Confidential instructions
- Clear terms of reference & specific-issue testing
- Evidential reporting designed to inform strategy
- Expert witness availability
- International deployment where required
- Coordination with lawyers, medical experts & toxicologists
More Than a Polygraph Examination
In sports law, the question is rarely simple. A properly conducted polygraph examination is not a shortcut or a media device; it is a structured forensic psychophysiological assessment focused on relevant memory, recognition, and credibility indicators. Dr Ashcroft’s approach is rooted in careful case analysis, ethical practice, validated methodology, and transparent reporting.
A Defensible Four-Stage Process
Confidential Case Review
Review the allegation, legal context, available evidence, and determine whether a polygraph or credibility assessment is appropriate.
Test Design & Screening
Define precise, legally relevant questions and assess the examinee’s physiological and psychological suitability for examination.
Forensic Examination
Conduct a controlled, specific-issue polygraph examination using internationally accepted and validated professional protocols.
Expert Report
Provide a clear, structured report explaining methodology, findings, and limitations. Expert witness support can be provided where appropriate.
Why Sports Law Teams Instruct The Centre
- Experience in CAS-level proceedings
- Specialist understanding of sports integrity allegations
- International reach & rapid deployment
- Confidential, lawyer-led instructions welcomed
- Reports written for legal and disciplinary audiences
- Understanding of the reputational stakes for athletes & clubs
- Careful handling of media-sensitive & career-critical allegations
Request a Confidential Sports Law Case Review
For urgent, reputation-sensitive, or arbitration-linked sports integrity matters, contact Dr Keith Ashcroft directly for a confidential assessment of suitability, scope, timing, and reporting requirements. Our methodology can support the pursuit of truth but does not inherently prove guilt or innocence in isolation.
Book a Confidential Consultation