Polygraph

[Airforcop]

Well, I've officially lost faith in the poly. Down here in Fl to take it again, and was blown away when I found out the 1 question they had concerns about. There were a few questions which had a laundry list of things listed which they ask you if you have ever done. During the poly, I thought of a few things I had done which I hadn't mentioned, but pressed on. Few days later when I found out I'd have to come back, I figured it was one of those questions. He told me today the question they had concern about was about drugs. I have NEVER done any illegal drug in my life and was really surprised that of all questions, that was the one of concern. He told me he didn't see any problems this time around and all should be good to go, but still ****es me off I had to spend $500 to come back down here for 1 day for that topic. But then again, I assume not a lot of people can claim to never having done any drugs, and showing any kind of reponse, it probably came down to more of an integrity issue than anything else.

[aikido kid]

dont feel bad...

I was in the same situation, but they never gave me another chance. oh well...

[JKooL]

I'm 21 and have never done any illegal drugs or smoked. I've never even had a beer, and I'm wondering how that's gonna fly when I start applying - good thing all my friends and family can attest to that!

[delvallef]

What did they ask?

Can anyone shed some light on what is asked during the poly? Is the the poly based on what you tell them on the personal history statement/application? Is there a standard set of questions that they ask then tailor the rest to the specific candidate?

Thanks.

[mobrien316]

I'm 21 and have never done any illegal drugs or smoked. I've never even had a beer, and I'm wondering how that's gonna fly when I start applying - good thing all my friends and family can attest to that!

Unfortunately, your friends and family won't be in the interrogation room to attest to that. Perversely, the polygraph is heavily biased against truthful persons, because the examiner assumes that you will be lying on the control questions. If you are not lying on the control questions they will not be able to get a baseline of physiological reactions to compare to the relevant questions. Ironically, if you are completely truthful on a polygraph "test" you are very likely to fail.

Go to Antipolygraph.org and check out their free e-book "The Lie Behind The Lie Detector."

[pkagel]

I've recently taken a poly so I'll answer what I'm allowed to. They do base the questions asked on your history statement and they ask you all the questions once not hooked up and then again when you are hooked up.

Can anyone shed some light on what is asked during the poly? Is the the poly based on what you tell them on the personal history statement/application? Is there a standard set of questions that they ask then tailor the rest to the specific candidate?

Thanks.

[mobrien316]

I've recently taken a poly so I'll answer what I'm allowed to.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding this... What do you mean that you'll answer what you're allowed to?

[pkagel]

They told me not to talk about the poly so I can only answer what is general public knowledge about it.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding this... What do you mean that you'll answer what you're allowed to?

[delvallef]

I see...

They do base the questions asked on your history statement and they ask you all the questions once not hooked up and then again when you are hooked up.

Is there one set of questions based on your history statement and another set of questions based on things not mentioned in the history statement?

Thanks.

[mobrien316]

They told me not to talk about the poly so I can only answer what is general public knowledge about it.

You should also check out Antipolygraph.org. What sort of valid scientific test (which polygraphy claims to be) discourages knowledge of the testing procedure? General public knowledge of the polygraph is based on what is in movies and television. Anyone want to take a guess how accurate that is?

If polygraphy was a scientifically valid test no one would care if examinees talked about it afterward, or if they researched the procedure online before their test.

If you go to Antipolygraph.org and check out their message boards you can see the open hostility that many polygraph examiners have towards anyone who brings their methods to light. Not the sort of thing you'd expect from someone who's professional motto (from the APA) is "Dedicated to Truth."

[Airforcop]

My poly was pretty basic and didn't seem to be based off anything. They started by asking a million questions about a bunch of different topics. Then they either chose from those, which to use for the poly, or they already had set questions to ask. Mine consisted of any drug use, abuse of prescription drugs, selling drugs, theft, fraud, assualt, etc..., sex with underage person, porno of kids under 12 yrs old, forced sex, ever been fired from a job, did I lie on my application. Stuff like that. Been a few months since I did the other questions, so not sure of all them. And they never said anything to me about NOT disclosing the questions or process.

[dea118]

dont feel bad guy its just a tactic they use to get you to confess to something.I was at my poly for about 4 hours over the drug question and time after time the examiner kept saying I was showing deception on that question.In reality I wasnt finally he gave up and believed me but its just a game just like this job can be at times.

[Airforcop]

If it was a little game they were playing, I'm gonna be ****ed as hell, but not like I'll ever know. This trip is costing me over $500 to answer that 1 damn question.

[gomets11]

my poly was 5 or 6 questions with 2 "standard questions" to get my "baseline" or what have you

[MBMB]

I have also NEVER done drugs before in my life and they accused me of being deceptive on it and I was furious about it. It really is ridiculous.