nolehce wrote on Jan 27^th, 2006 at 8:44pm:


I don't doubt it.

Virtually everyone is initially accused of "having problems," badgered for admissions, and then brought back for one or more "re-tests."

I'm sorry to say that the week I took my polygraphs with CIA, there was one young woman there who had mentioned to me earlier in the week that she knew someone at the agency. I was surprised -- or then maybe should not have been -- when I passed her in a hallway and she said that she had passed the first -- and only -- polygraph they had given her and that she was free to go.

I don't know if they play favorites with women, or if they led her slide by because she was pretty and unthreatening -- and because she knew someone at the agency. But something about that situation didn't seem right to me.

It seemed like everybody else was undergoing bloody murder in their polygraphs, while she essentially skated.

Maybe whoever she knew at CIA somehow intervened to get her a more lenient poly.

Keep in mind that it is the CIA's standard operating procedure to subject applicants to multiple polygraph sessions. Virtually everyone is initially accused of "having problems," badgered for admissions, and then brought back for one or more "re-tests."

I think it would be unwise to recite a laundry list of every "unimportant" offense you've ever committed. Your polygraph interrogator may interpret this as an attempt at misdirection. I think it would be wiser to stick to what you've already mentioned.

You might consider using the "complete honesty" approach when asked about your knowledge of polygraphy. Polygraphers may nowadays assume that by the time most people have been scheduled for a third polygraph session, they'll have done some research into polygraphy. By that point, a denial might be taken as a sign of deception.

I have been scheduled for another poly.  My prior poly experienced produced “inconclusive” results.   

My primary difficulty is with the question about criminal conduct.  I have committed no memorable offenses, and disclosed the minor ones that came to mind.

My question pertains to how I should approach my upcoming poly.  Should I rack my brain to disclose every little offense I can think of regardless of whether I have mentioned it already?  (Initially I was told that "unimportant" offenses don't matter and to not mention them if they don’t bother me.)  Or, should I just stick to the ones we have traveled over so far?  Keep in mind, I am talking about the interview phase of the 3rd poly (before they start the machine).

Lastly, anyone have words of hope / discouragement in regards to this milestone?  -b