I am going with the same idea that if I don't let them know, they won't look.  I don't know if that is going to go through with the government from one agency to the other because I am sure they keep tabs on applicants from one agency to the next.  It sucks because if, say, you fail a poly for the ATF and don't get the job because of it then apply somewhere that doesn't require a polygraph, like the INS, you look like you are trying to hide something.  The whole damn system is a Catch-22.  And yet I know personally of different people in different agencies who are pathological liars and had no problem getting jobs even though they lied their way straight in and used absolutely no countermeasures.  They took it as a joke.

JSH

Yes I understand that the police department can access polygraph records for polys taken for other departments, BUT...what I am saying is what if you simply lie on your application/interview when they ask you about your testing at other departments and say you have never made it to the point of a background investigation/poly (even though I did).

As long as the new poly is at a different poly agency, I would think there is no way they can check into every test that any one person has taken.   

Is it possible for a police department to find that info out by any other means other than the candidate TELLING the backgound guy or gal where you tested (thus, directing them to the information)???  I would think that to be an impossible task....maybe I am wrong.

As far as Im concerned, as long as the poly I take inthe future is somewhere new, I have neve taken a poly before.


As far as countermeasures I used,  I did the following:

Kept a steady breathing rate the whole way through (made sure my breathing didnt change dramatically anywhere in the test).  I didn't us breathing countermeasures because I believe them to be the easiest for polygraphers to detect foul play from....easy to mess up on breathing.

What I did use was the old tac in the shoe trick. I wouldnt suggest using it unless you have big balls and are confident in your ability to hide it.

I took the sole (inner removable pad) out of my dress shoe and stuck the tac through the sole of my shoe so that when I put the sole back in my shoe, the tac was sticking out IN FRONT (as in space from the end of my big toe to the tac) of my big toe, and when the polygrapher was putting the equipmnt on me, I pushed my foot down in the shoe and forced my foot forward in my shoe until my big toe was over the tac. On the control questions I pressed down pretty hard.

I pressed down as soon as I recognized the control question (I mean AS SOON as I recognized it), and held it there for about 5-7 seconds, but madesure I let up before the next question.

When the test was over, I pushed my foot to the floor and forced my foot backward from my shoe and off the tac.

When walking, I curled my toes back in the shoe with the tac in it to assure myself that I would not step on the tac by accident.

IF your going to be as crazy as I am and use this tactic, 
PRACTICE A LOT. PRactice different placings of the tac in your shoe (as far as how far forward you can put it but still get your toe over it).

Also practice WALKING a LOTTTTT! with the/while the tac is in there.

HERE ARE THE REASONS I USED THE TAC TRICK:
Firstly, I believe that biting the tongue can be obvious because of jaw movement. 

And secondly, I read a study by Honts that showed that while biting the tongue ALONE, or pressing ones toes toward the ground  ALONE were not very effective in beating the test,  biting ones tongue and pressing ones toes toward the ground AT THE SAME TIME was effective!

What does the tac tric do?  Creates the pain (let me tell you...lol!) the same way biting your tongue does, and also incorporates pressing your toes toward the ground as well!

It also allows you to keep you mouth open and focus on keeping a consistent breathing pattern the whole way through.

I have been lead to believe that yes, other agencies have access to your polygraph results. The HR department at one police department I am applying to told me they are going to contact the other department I applied to and ask about my application there. That sucks for me because I failed the other department's poly and got the letter last week telling me I am no longer a candidate. I'm going to appeal it just so I don't have a lingering black mark on my record, like I accpeted their decision that I am a liar.   
Netnin, did you use the techniques you learned from this website "The Lie Behind the Lie Detector" to pass the poly? I just have such a problem with getting anxious, like stage fright, that I don't know if I can calm down enough to practice the tips.

I have a similar question...

I have taken a few polygraph tests for local PD's, and failed two/passed one.  However, in each case I mentioned that I have already taken one.  What I am wondering is (now that I know how to beat the detector, as I did the last time around):
Assuming I take the polygraph test at a polygraphing agency other than the two I took my first three at, what are the chances of them finding out I took other polygraphs if I say "no" when they ask me whether or not I have taken a polygraph before?

As far as I understand it, polygraphs (records)are only kept on file at the PD you take them for, and at the polygraphing agency you go to take the test at.  I don't believe there is any way or any place that a police department can go to collect data on all polygaph results for one person.

Am I wrong?  Do all polygraphing agencies report/submit all their results and all the people tested to the government or something?

Because as far as Im concernced, when they ask me if I have ever taken a polygraph before, I am going to say "HELL NO!" (minus the hell part).

Does anyone have info on this topic?

I applied to the Philadelphia Police Dept. recently, passed the test, and filled out the "blue book" or "PDQ" which is an entire history of my life. After handing it in, I was required to take the polygraph.  I failed the first time and was not allowed to re-take it.  They did not tell me what question I was supposedly lying about either; just that I was "deceptive."  I have since ruled out the Philadelphia Police Dept. as a place I would want to work and was wondering about something.  I have a degree in Criminal Justice and am expecting to get a job in law enforcement somewhere.  Do other police departments have access to the info on my "PDQ" and polygraph results?  If not, how about the Federal agencies like ATF, DEA, BOP, etc...?  If they do, how much access do they have to my application to PPD and is there a way I can get the application back or erased?  If anyone knows about this info I would appreciate some help.  I really do not want to be penalized trying to find a career because of one supposed "failure."