Depends on who's asking... 
Some might believe in your phylosophy, other's don't...

What I meant was the ends don't justify the means; much like torture.

Torture?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

How do you equate a polygraph to torture?

You sit in a room, answer questions, ask questions if your confused about something. Get hooked up to the computer, or the analog equipment. Say yes/No for a couple of hours. If there's a problem, you'll be questioned some more (at which your free to walk out of at any time). 

Torture is the physical, or mental harm to gain information.

There is no physical harm done, and the emotional stress is your doing? Now your not gonna feel better about yourself, and have self doubts, but thats an entirely different emotion then receiving actual torture. If you think it's that bad for a prescreen well Don't do it, and find another profession. If it's for a criminal case, well your decision. If it's post conviction... Don't break the rules of your probation. 

I'm glad I found this board and Mr. Maschke's book before I eventually schedule my polygraph.  I was always skeptical of the test and how they could prove if you were lying or not based on lines.  I now have no doubt that this test is a bunch of bunk and no different than torture in some ways.  The ends don't justify the means!

"What I feel bad about is that untill I was falsy accused and subsequently failed a polygraph I would have assumed some one to be guilty based on a Poly result."

That's true of most people.

Look at it this way, now we know something most others don't.

I just wish more people could find this board BEFORE their scheduled polygraph.  They usually come after it is too late.

T.M. Cullen wrote on Feb 12^th, 2008 at 7:13pm:


Don't forget it's stellar reputation for catching spies and weeding out undesirables from LE careers. 

The polygraph test is an INTERROGATION, in which a prop, that simply measures levels of autonomic arousal , is used to intimidate and cause self doubt on the part of the test subject.   

The goal is to get the subject to say things that would make his/her attorney soil their undies (if they were present), and to otherwise self incriminate themselves and get them to "crack", regardless of whether or not they are guilty or innocent.



Oh, yeah, it's also a fun prop to use on TV pseudo-reality shows!   


P.S.  The sad thing is that it indiscriminately ruins peoples lives and/or reputation, and endangers our national security.

George W. Maschke wrote on Feb 11^th, 2008 at 8:31am:


George,
Thanks for all your info on this site. I have read many of your posts and I have gotten an education.
What I feel bad about is that untill I was falsy accused and subsequently failed a polygraph I would have assumed some one to be guilty based on a Poly result. I now know better Thanks

ruan,

You need to understand that polygraph "testing" has no scientific basis. It's in the same league as other pseudosciences such as phrenology and graphology. Be aware that there are no truly competent polygraph examiners. While some may be talented interrogators, they do not have any special ability to determine whether a person has spoken the truth.

For a thorough debunking of polygraphy, see AntiPolygraph.org's e-book, The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, which may be downloaded here:

https://antipolygraph.org/lie-behind-the-lie-detector.pdf

No one should attach any weight to your polygraph results. They are evidence of nothing.

Hi Ruan,
I too had a similar situation. I was accused of  a crime, did not do it, was truthfull on my poly and failed!
I had no medical condition and I was told my poligrapher was at it for 30 years. 
IMO te test is inadmissable in court because it is not effective in detecting lies. IMO it only shows your reaction to the various questions.

Hi all,i recently underwent a polygraph test and failed.I'm writing this because i did not commit the crime and i told the person about my medical conditions and he said it would not affect the polygraph results.
I suffer from very high levels of anxiety,depression,add,adhd,bipolar,and have a chemical imbalance in my brain.I still havnt found anything on medical conditions.can someone please help me with correct answers and correct advice.PLEASE!this has ruined my life!and it has affected everyone around me.and i believe the polygraph examiner was not competent!