The dirty little secret behind the polygraph is that the "test" depends on trickery, not science. The person being "tested" is not supposed to know that while the polygraph operator declares that all questions must be answered truthfully, warning that the slightest hint of deception will be detected, he secretly assumes that denials in response to certain questions -- called "control" questions -- will be less than truthful. An example of a commonly used control question is, "Did you ever lie to get out of trouble?" The polygrapher steers the examinee into a denial by warning, for example, that anyone who would do so is the same kind of person who would commit the kind of behavior that is under investigation and then lie about it. But secretly, it is assumed that everyone has lied to get out of trouble.

The polygraph pens don't do a special dance when a person lies. The polygrapher scores the test by comparing physiological responses (breathing, blood pressure, heart, and perspiration rates) to these probable-lie control questions with reactions to relevant questions such as, "Did you ever commit an act of espionage against the United States?" (commonly asked in security screening). If the former reactions are greater, the examinee passes; if the latter are greater, he fails. If responses to both "control" and relevant questions are about the same, the result is deemed inconclusive.

The test also includes irrelevant questions such as, "Are the lights on in this room?" The polygrapher falsely explains that such questions provide a "baseline for truth," because the true answer is obvious. But in reality, they are not scored at all! They merely serve as buffers between pairs of relevant and "control" questions.

The simplistic methodology used in polygraph testing has no grounding in the scientific method: it is no more scientific than astrology or tarot cards. Government agencies value it because people who don't realize it's a fraud sometimes make damaging admissions. But as a result of reliance on this voodoo science, the truthful are often falsely branded as liars while the deceptive pass through.

Perversely, the "test" is inherently biased against the truthful, because the more honestly one answers the "control" questions, and as a consequence feels less stress when answering them, the more likely one is to fail. Conversely, liars can beat the test by covertly augmenting their physiological reactions to the "control" questions. This can be done, for example, by doing mental arithmetic, thinking exciting thoughts, altering one's breathing pattern, or simply biting the side of the tongue. Truthful persons can also use these techniques to protect themselves against the risk of a false positive outcome. Although polygraphers frequently claim they can detect such countermeasures, no polygrapher has ever demonstrated any ability to do so, and peer-reviewed research suggests that they can't.

Educate yourself. Before playing Russian roulette with your reputation, learn how to protect yourself against this invalid test. Download AntiPolygraph.org's free book:

The Lie Behind the Lie Detector

Polygraph Countermeasure Challenge Clock On 28 January 2002, retired FBI polygraph expert Dr. Drew C. Richardson reiterated his challenge to the polygraph community to prove their claimed ability to detect countermeasures (techniques for passing -- or beating -- the polygraph). This clock figure shows the number of weeks Dr. Richardson's challenge has gone without takers. What are the polygraph operators afraid of? (Listen to a personal message from Dr. Richardson.)

362 weeks

Los Angeles Sheriff's Office Latest Sucker to Buy Into Layered Voice Analysis
Los Angeles television station KABC news reports -- uncritically -- that the L.A. County Sheriff's Office has purchased, and will be fielding on an experimental basis, "Layered Voice Analysis" (LVA), an emperor's-new-clothes lie detection technology produced by the Israeli company Nemesysco and marketed by Voice Analysis Technologies.

Failed poly but innocent!
Monday morning a meeting was held at work stating that all of us that had access to money that was stolen would be taking a polygraph either Tuesday or Wednesday, except for one person who was out for medical reasons and would be tested at a later date....

Polygrapher John Swartz of Houston Reportedly Failed FBI Pre-Employment Polygraph!
Polygraph operator John S. Swartz of Houston, Texas -- a graduate of the U.S. Government's polygraph school and former Drug Enforcement Agency employee -- reportedly failed the drug-related portion of an FBI pre-employment polygraph administered in 2006.

Drew Peterson's Polygraph Results Discussed on the Dr. Phil Show
On 10 November 2008, the Dr. Phil show featured an interview with Drew Peterson, the former Illinois police officer who is a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, and the death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio.

Mumbai Attacker Reportedly Subjected to Polygraph "Testing" -- "Truth Serum" to Follow
CNN reports that the lone gunman reportedly taken alive in the recent attack on Mumbai, India has been subjected to a polygraph test, while The Times of London reports that Indian authorities are preparing to inject him with "truth serum."

Cruel Joke: U.S. Exports Polygraphy to Iraq
In an article titled, "Iraq Turns to Lie Detectors to Outsmart Al-Qaeda," Agence France Presse (AFP) reports on the graduation of the first class of U.S. Government-trained Iraqi polygraph operators. But to outsmart Al-Qaeda, doesn't one need to be smarter than Al-Qaeda?

Failed FBI Polygraph... confused
First of all... like many others say. Wow! I wish I had come here before I took my polygraph. I'll put as much info as I can if it helps anyone, so bear with my story....

Dr. Phil Show (26 Nov. 2008) - Polygrapher Jack Trimarco Says Philanderer Is a Pedophile
Today's (Wednesday, 26 November 2008) installment of the Dr. Phil show, titled, "A Husband's Double Life" features lurid details of Michael's bisexual infidelity to his wife, Elaine plus a titillating bonus: a trial by polygraph to determine whether Michael -- a self-described "sex addict" and father of three young children -- is a pedophile to boot. There is no allegation that Michael has ever sexually abused any child.

Ironic Humor in American Polygraph Association Crapshoot Challenge Coin
An APA commemorative medallion bears an ironically appropriate motif.

San Diego Police Department Polygraph = HORRIBLE Experience
Well I took a polygraph for the SDPD on the 4th and it was the worst experience ever. I went into it a little nervous just because it was a polygraph but I figured I would just tell the truth and I'd be alright. I actually believed in the science and that lie detectors worked because if they didn’t why would so many places use them right?

El Paso Police Chief Calls Polygraph a "Piece of Junk"
Speaking in unusually blunt terms for a senior law enforcement official, El Paso, Texas chief of police Greg Allen has decried the polygraph as a "piece of junk," while El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association president Bobby Holguin has pronounced it "garbage."

Personal Statement of an Anonymous NSA Applicant
...I was sent back to one of the polygraph rooms for examination. I was asked the espionage questions and then the serious crime questions, but apparently I am a spy because I could not pass the espionage question....

Polygrapher John Grogan Sues Polygraphers Joseph Paolella, Jack Trimarco, and Ralph Hilliard
On 30 May 2008, polygrapher John L. Grogan of Woodland Hills, California filed a lawsuit against fellow Los Angeles area polygraphers Joseph Paolella and Jack Trimarco as well as PolygraphPlace.com and TruthAboutGrogan.org proprietor Ralph Hilliard of Canton, Georgia. Twenty "Does" are also included among the defendants. Grogan seeks damages in excess of one million dollars from each of the defendants for defamation....

 

 

 

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