Quote:IT IS A WASTE OF YOUR TIME to worry about what may or may not be the control or relevant questions until the examiner goes over the question they will ask you right before the test. Worry about distinguishing between the two as the examiner reviews the test questions right before the test. Worrying about them before this period of time is a waste of time...if anything, get some ideas as to what they will turn into control questions.
This is an excellent point. We have received a lot of questions from people holding written background packets who are trying to characterize them as relevant/irrelevant/control. Many BI questions are very broad and/or are not phrased properly (yes/no) to be asked on a polygraph. While it cannot hurt to look over the BI forms, the questions during law enforcement polygraph "tests" are unlikely to deviate from those mentioned on this site. Namely, expect to face relevant questions about drug use (and possibly drug sales), and falsifying the application. Also, relevant questions are frequently asked about MAJOR CRIMES (note that exactly what constitutes a major crime will be explained in the pre-test interview) and being terminated from employment. Although rare, you also may see relevant questions about large gambling debts and/or gang affiliation. Sample control questions are also listed in
The Lie Behind the Lie Detector . Note that questions regarding drunk driving and excessive drinking are
controlquestions.
Quote:4)If they administer a post-test interrogation/interview, NEVER fall into their game and admit to anything MORE than what you told them. You will be canned right then and there if you do. They might try and intimidate you--even if they suspect you passed--just to get you to blow it and make a damaging admission.
5)Never admit to using countermeasures EVER or even knowing about how the polygraph works. You will get booted if you admit to using countermeasures. If they ask you if you know how it works, respond by saying, "Yeah I heard it buzzes if the machine knows someones lying." Come up with a good response.
These are also very good points. Bluffing is a huge part of polygraphy. Many examiners often tell those who produce even the strongest of "passing" charts that they "failed" in an attempt to elicit admissions. Admitting to
anything in the post-test interrogation is a bad idea.
With regard to countermeasures, expect accusations of attempting to "beat the box" to be standard procedure for every polygraph "test" in the not-so-distant future. Many examiners may be doing this already. With the widespread availability of this information, one should expect that as we speak, a good percentage of sophisticated subjects (both truthful and deceptive) are already employing these techniques. As knowledge of the polygraph fraud grows, there will soon come a day when only the most unsophisticated of subjects will be producing "failing" charts.
The only somewhat reliable method of detecting countermeasures polygraphers have is saying "I caught you" at the end of the "test" and hoping that the examinee is foolish enough to 'fess up. DONT FALL FOR IT. Deny, deny, deny.