And don't forget the irony of a polygraph operator lying about the accuracy of the polygraph, during the exam.  And they say it with such a straight face.  "There is only a 2% chance of you lying to me and this machine not picking up on it Tom!", my examiner said as he drew a hokey-pokey pie chart tracing over the 2% portion of the chart.

Lying to a person while conducting a so-called test that is supposed to detect lies?

Monkeybone:

If you want a career in LE, then wait the requisite 3 years.  It will harm your chances for future positions if you already have failed a polygraph.  Want to do something in the meantime?  Go join your local search and rescue unit, volunteer ambulance or fire department.  Do some good for society, build up some good references in the public service sector.  When 3 years are up, you will be in a much better position.

pailryder wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2009 at 11:42pm:

   
The intent of CM's (as presented by many, though admittedly not all, on this site) is to assist a truthful person in passing their polygraph.  The examinee is to answer all questions truthfully, but augment their reactions when answering control questions.

If it were a truism that simply telling the truth would automatically enable one to pass a polygraph, I doubt this site would exist.

If a person consistently reacts more to relevant questions (despite answering truthfully)  versus control questions (which they are expected to lie on), won't he/she fail the test?

TC

So, Mr. C. countermeasures are for truthful persons to help me get it right?  That's like saying a virgin needs a condom to prevent STD.

We don't encourage people to lie on a polygraph.  CMs are meant for TRUTHFUL people trying to avoid failing the polygraph.

TC

I am soon going to take a polygraph for entrance into a local police department.  I have never done anything "terrible" (In my opinion), but I have smoked marijuana more recently than 3 years, so if I admit that I am automatically DQd.  What I want to know is what countermeasures have been most effective for people?  Please only respond if you have lied, used countermeasures and PASSED a polygraph test.