Covert 1,

I agree with Gino's observations and would like to add a few of my own.

With regard to your point #4 above, it is probably not a good idea to discuss one's religion with a polygrapher. I've been perusing articles on behavioral assessment in the American Polygraph Association quarterly, Polygraph, and have found it claimed that if a subject speaks of his devoutness/religious convictions, it should be taken as a possible indication of deception. Some polygraphers may well believe this to be true. It would be prudent not to bring up one's religious beliefs during a polygraph interrogation.

With regard to your point #5, it is generally not a good idea to enter into a philosophical debate with a polygrapher. If things are going badly (i.e., the polygrapher has accused you of deception in a "post-test" interrogation) it is better to re-affirm one's truthfulness and to terminate the interrogation. Your words can be twisted against you as the following example from former FBI special agent Mark Mallah's 25 July 2001 letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary illustrates:

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When things "go bad," politely, but firmly, terminate the interrogation.

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Note that slow breathing is often (erroneously) identified by polygraphers as an attempt to beat the "test." If anything, you want to breathe a bit faster than normal. Many people receive the well-intentioned (but nonetheless incorrect) advice of "relax, tell the truth, and you'll be fine." Those who relax often breathe slowly, and are often (falsely) accused of employing countermeasures. Keep your breathing rate between 15-30 breaths per minute to avoid these accusations. 

In addition to reading the other posts, you may wish to read The Lie Behind the Lie Detector which is available in full as a free download on this site. In particular, you may wish to look at pages 74-76, which describe breathing countermeasures.

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This is the best piece of advice one can give anyone that is planning to submit to a polygraph "test." The test is actually an interrogation designed to make you release information that you were not planning to provide. Make no admissions! I would, however, suggest avoiding the word "nope" and sticking to the simple word "no."

Damn,

Other than the "tac-in-the-shoe" trick, I never knew people went into this much depth and analysis of the test.

My personal experience (about 80 hours total chair time) has yeilded the following scenario that works for me.

1.  relax 
2.  breathe...slow steady at the same rate.  answer all questions on the exhale in mono-tone.  Even if their is a delay in answering.

3.  my personel montra: "I'm a good person" ... I chant this in my mind after answering all questions.  

4. in conversations with poligraphers, I make it a point to mention that I'm Catholic and how much the polygraph resembles a Catholic Confession.....then go to town on "Catholic Guilt."  No matter how good a Catholic is....we are guilty of some damn sin!!! ;-}  Even if we have to make up a little sin to satisfy the Priest.... meanwhile....leave out the fact that you screwed your nieghbors wife!! ha ha ha Get that sacrificial little sin out there for the sharks to devour.

5.  If things are going badly pull the old "there is no black and white, yes or no answers to ANYTHING!"  I used this one once on a polygrapher when she went off on me about how all of these questions had "Yes or No" answers.

Here's an example that flabergasted my polygrapher:

Imagine that their is a loaded revolver on a table.  I pick up the revolver and unload all 6 bullets.  I stand each bullet up in plain site.  I had the revolver to you.  You inspect it.  It is truely unloaded...not a round in there.  Now I tell you to close it.  You comply.  Now I tell you to spin the cylinder.  You comply.  Now I tell you to stick the gun to your head and pull the trigger.

You see six bullets on the table.  You saw 6 empty chambers.  Would you pull the trigger?  Its obviously unloaded....however...there is that slight shadow of a doubt.  That little bit of grey in the black and white question.

I can't wait to read the rest of the posts....this is great stuff.

Oh, and I forgot one thing....if they ever ask "Did any of those questions stick out in your mind?"  always...ALWAYS answere..."nope".  I sometimes answer no after giving them that "thinking look."  When I use that look its always a firm "No."....this really pisses them off...but there aint a damn thing they can do.  DONT HANG YOURSELF...ADMIT NOTHING.