Posted: 5/20/2009 8:35:09 AM EDT
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Hey all.
I just took the polygraph with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.... Let me give you some background.... I have never drank alcohol in my life, and the only illegal drug I used was steroids (for a 30 day cycle about 7 years ago, I am 24 now). I was completely honest on EVERYTHING. I honestly answered all the questions... Well...apparently I had a trouble sitting still and other than that, the polygraph machine flagged me on all of the drug questions (according to the interviewer). The interviewer came back into the room and just GRILLED me! I was completely calm the whole time, and I remained to answered the questions honestly. My question is...Do they do this to everyone? I have a very clean history! He called me a lyer for about 30 minutes and then told me I could leave. I was calm and honest with him the whole time. I felt as though he was trying to get me all riled up to see how I would respond...Does this typically happen during polygraphs? He also accused me of trying to cheat it. I have never researched that ever! I feel like he was trying to be a big tough guy and throw me around. As I left, he told me I would have to answer to these questions later on in the process. Weird... Anyways, anyone else have interesting polygraph experiences? Also, do you all think this guy was trying to scare me to see how I would respond (I don't see the point of this but I have no other reasons why he would say I failed certain questions when I was completely honest). Thanks John |
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There are a number of techniques used as part of the interview–– one is to make accusations or ask questions about trying to trick the process. Interviewees don't usually anticipate being asked, "have you taken any muscle relaxants" or, "have you made any attempt to defeat this test". It is also not uncommon to attempt to get a strong response out of someone by making accusations, it helps with data interpretation but I'm not entirely sure how (better statistical distribution of physiological responses under different ambient conditions, I suspect). I've only witnessed tests being administered, and am not trained in the machine or techniques. I have been told by those I trust, however, that the machine and interview techniques are extremely reliable, and if you were truthful, I'd say you have nothing to worry about...they probably just can't believe someone hasn't used drugs (I got the same treatement from my Army recruiter...he just wasn't going to believe I hadn't smoked pot...he was right).
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Asshole
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Poly's are plain ole junk science, they're reliability at best is proportional to the experience level of the operator.
They are inadmissible in court for a well founded reason Where used they tend to replace good thourough, quality background investigations by trained background investigators AKA a shortcut... |
It flagged me on my work history when I applied. Not anything happening at any job, or any issues, just my history itself as in my jobs. I was 21, I worked at four places until that point, three at the same time for a while. Guy kinda got shitty and asked me why it would say that I'm lying about history, and I replied "why would I lie about something SS Admin can verify easily? Lets go pull the records". They looked into it harder after the poly and said it was all as I said. Polygraph is crap  .
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I've had to sit through I don't know how many rounds with these 'snake oil in a box' tests,
and I think that they're a joke. The only thing that they are good for, IMHO, is a psychological tool against those who don't know any better. "Well, Mr. Tanker, my readings show an element of deception when we ask you the questions dealing with foreign contacts and espionage. What's going through your mind?" I've heard this I don't know how many times - I guess they think I should be cell-mates with Aldrich Ames or something. Get grilled, tested umpteen more times (number varies from time to time), then "Well, I'm going to have to show this to my branch-chief for his thoughts, and probably call you back in for some more questions." Then I never hear another peep out of them until the five years or so are up, and it's time to re-test. For those who believe what they see on TV, they work great. The tester will ask the questions, then say that he sees deception or outright lies, and the sheeple will sing like a scalded canary. "OMGWTFBBQ!! They know, they know!! I must confess!!" 
As others have stated, some in law would love to have this allowable as "evidence" in court, but they know that it won't stand up to scrutiny. After all, the above mentioned Aldrich Ames always passed his poly w/o a problem. 
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The polygraph is junk science. It is basically an interview tool and what happens during the polygraph is entirely up to the interviewer not the silly machine. I know sterling, stone cold honest people turned down for federal jobs because they didn't have the "right" responses. Don't feel bad - remember Aldrich Aimes and Robert Hansen passed it with flying colors for years . . .
Quoted:
Hey all. I just took the polygraph with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.... Let me give you some background.... I have never drank alcohol in my life, and the only illegal drug I used was steroids (for a 30 day cycle about 7 years ago, I am 24 now). I was completely honest on EVERYTHING. I honestly answered all the questions... Well...apparently I had a trouble sitting still and other than that, the polygraph machine flagged me on all of the drug questions (according to the interviewer). The interviewer came back into the room and just GRILLED me! I was completely calm the whole time, and I remained to answered the questions honestly. My question is...Do they do this to everyone? I have a very clean history! He called me a lyer for about 30 minutes and then told me I could leave. I was calm and honest with him the whole time. I felt as though he was trying to get me all riled up to see how I would respond...Does this typically happen during polygraphs? He also accused me of trying to cheat it. I have never researched that ever! I feel like he was trying to be a big tough guy and throw me around. As I left, he told me I would have to answer to these questions later on in the process. Weird... Anyways, anyone else have interesting polygraph experiences? Also, do you all think this guy was trying to scare me to see how I would respond (I don't see the point of this but I have no other reasons why he would say I failed certain questions when I was completely honest). Thanks John |
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I remember reading somewhere or seeing it on a History Channel Program that involved Robert Hanson after his arrest he told investigator that beating the poly was child's play.
Someone testified at his trial that it takes about 8 weeks to properly train a poly operator and it takes about 8 hours to properly train someone to beat it. |