jojo, 

The examiner may also have increased the level of the EDR/GSR before starting the chart to make the tracing larger during the examination.  Again this does not alter the outcome of the examination, it makes the tracing easier to observe and aids in scoring.  Congratulations on you progress.

Well, update as promised. I just recevied a call to schedule me for the physical exam. I asked on the phone, "so I assume everything went well on the polygraph and interview?" I was told yes everthing looks fine. So background done, psych done, poly done, now physical exam.. The moral of the story is, yes I think the guy was Bsing me and I have even less respect for polygraph operators now, at least the ones who BS people.

jojodancer wrote on Sep 18^th, 2012 at 4:44am:


Jo,
I don't think polygraphers normally manipulate charts. It may be possible to a certain extent, but it is more common for them to simply mislead. Most individuals being polygraphed would not know enough about polygraph charts to distinguish the original from the manipulated--it's all squiggly lines. The more common tactic is to say that you "reacted" to a certain question in an attempt to elicit an admission.

Bill,
You are absolutely correct and that is exactly what I said. 

"What I mean is, you can for example, increase the size of the EDR reading so that it looks really big next to the other two original sized readings and can actually cause it to overlap the other two readings, which is EXACTLY what my chart looked like. Only the EDR reading was supersized. "

jojodancer 

You were able to obtain the program for polygraph, it has been available on line for sometime and is not restricted to polygraph examiners.  When you increase the EDR, you may want to note that you increase it on all qustions when you increase the size of the tracing.  It does not alter the score in any tracing, just makes it easier to see and evaluate.  The score remains static regardless of the size of the amplified tracing.  

This does not alter the outcome of the examination, it very simply makes it easier to score by the examiner.  You may wish to read the manual that comes with that program.  It was developed by Bruce White in Houston, Texas and has been upgraded by him several times.  Your statement that it is only an investigative tool is correct, and should never be used as a stand alone tool.   

jojodancer wrote on Sep 17^th, 2012 at 4:30am:

He he he, ha ha ha!  Good catch!  Way to call out and bust these polygraphers  on their own tools!  I knew those rat bastards would muck with the machine.

jojodancer wrote on Sep 17^th, 2012 at 4:30am:

That is EXACTLY all that the polygraph is!

I just cant seem to let it go that this dude said I showed a "reaction". It really pisses me off that he thinks I would be lying about the question. Anyhow, I did a little research and was able to download the polygraph software for the machine he was using. It was an Axciton Systems polygraph. While I dont have the equipement I am able to run the software and it comes with a sample test readout. While you can not change the variables, ie. pneumograph, edr, or cardio, you can change the individual size of each chart on one screen. What I mean is, you can for example, increase the size of the EDR reading so that it looks really big next to the other two original sized readings and can actually cause it to overlap the other two readings, which is EXACTLY what my chart looked like. Only the EDR reading was supersized.. I am now convinced that the poly is really nothing more than an investigative tool, at least for pre employment.

When polygraphers tell you that the machine is "99.999999% accurate and can always tell when someone is lying", that statement itself is a lie.  They want the public to actually believe that the machine can detect lies so that the victim...err...person being tested will confess to dirty deeds that he/she thinks the polygraph machine already knows about.

Yes, the machine can read your blood pressure, sweating, breathing, and other data.  The polygraphers want to convince everyone that a change in normal bodily functions means you are lying, in hopes to coerce illicit confessions.  This is bs.  I started daydreaming and falling asleep during my 4+ hour poly because I was getting board with being asked the same stupid questions over and over.  I'm sure my body reactions changes several times.  My heart rate probably slowed when I fell asleep, and then it probably sped up with the polygrapher yelled at me to wake me up because he was pissed off that I was snoozing and not taking him seriously or falling for his little game. ha ha

Ignore whatever the polygrapher is telling you, it is mostly lies.  Stick to your guns and don't confess and you'll be fine.  As they keep pressing you to confess to something, you keep telling them that you have nothing to confess to.  Soon they'll give up.  That is the real key to passing a poly.  Don't be scared into thinking you have funky charts.  I'd be more inclined to believe that my funky charts mean I have a heart condition or some other doctor's diagnosis from the machine.  But reading my mind?  GTFOH.

There is often a seat sensor as well during the poly.  So they know when you fart.  Does that mean I'm lying too?  ha ha.

I guess ill know what he thought this week. It just boggles the mind when someone tells you that you showed a response when you know you didnt. Ill post a follow up and let you know the outcome. I'd love to take the second test and just let loose on him in a polite way. I have to admit it was laughable when he said the polygraph is proven scientifically to be 95-100% accurate, and that was a fact. When he explained the attachements he said the chest tubes could detect any movement at all from my feet to my fingers. 
He then went on to explain how just the blood pressure cuff alone could tell if I was lying. He said that was at one time all they used and they could always tell when someone was lying.

Thanks for the input. It seemed a little odd. I know I didnt fail it, but he asked anyways. My thought was that either he was bluffing or he didnt understand the test. Meaning, that if he truly believed I showed a reaction to that question, then wouldnt it follow that I would have showed a reaction when he asked if i intended to tell the truth and if i had lied to anyone in authority.. Sounds pretty simple to me... But, that being said, from what i understand its up to him if I pass or fail? 

I just found this old post where George Maschke responded saying that polygraphers CAN manipulate the charts!

antipolygraph.org/cgi-bin/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1259966284

Quote:

I seriously doubt if any of them are smart enough to do that.

jojodancer wrote on Sep 15^th, 2012 at 11:08pm:

The polygraph technique does not allow for calling individual questions as deceptive; the entire "exam" must be scored in its entirety. When you are shown that you reacted to a certain question, you are being rubber hosed.

It was likely a bluff.  This is done to everybody to try to get you to confess to something.  I'm starting to think that polygraphers have the ability to manipulate the charts during the exam.  They probably sit there and drag the lines on the chart up and down and make spikes and other shapes and then show you their work of art to make you think you really had a reaction.  Or...the polygrapher probably sits there and plays solitaire on the computer for a while during your exam and then after your exam shows you some pre-made charts that have these huge spikes. 

Can anyone confirm if the polygrapher has the ability on the machine to manipulate the charts at his/her will?  I know many government agencies use the LX5000 or LX4000 polygraph machine from Lafayette Instruments (lafayettepolygraph.com) but I'm not sure if this is a feature.  It would be funny if it was!

Regardless, even if you did have a reaction, so what.  The polygrapher's interpretation of your reaction is circumstantial without a confession from you.  DON'T CONFESS!

So I took a polygraph for a state police agency earlier this week. The examiner ran me through the questions 4 times while hooked up to the machine. At the conclusion of the exam and after he had reviewed the computerized test, he asked me what question I think I had a problem with. I said none. He then said that I showed a reaction on all tests to the question about having ever commited a serious crime. 
I replied that I had not committed a serious crime and that I dont know why I would show a reaction and he replied that he didnt say I had. He then flipped the screen around and said look at this line, all four times you showed a reaction, the line was the middle GSR line. He then said he would have to reschedule me for another exam and that at that time he would break down all the crimes and "get to the bottom of this". He never said I failed.
Was he serious or just trying to bluff me into a confession?  I have not committed a serious crime by the way. My background is a current police officer on the west coast.