Dear FBI Applicant,

I was found inconclusive on my first test and rescheduled for a retest within six weeks without any action on my part.  I was found "not within acceptable parameters" and appealed the official letter I was sent about three weeks after the second test.  My appeal for the third polygraph went for almost two months before I was scheduled for a third.  I "passed" the third but there is nothing in writing, they just proceed with the hiring process.  Anonymous is correct that the appeals process is not documented or welcomed by the FBI.  The letter they send infers that the decision is final and that is that.   All things in politics and government are subject to appeal.  People make mistakes and the government makes mistakes.  You just have to find the right person to talk or write to.

The FBI is in a jam right now.  The Director has stated that between attrition and new hires, over 1,100 Special Agents and 2,400 support personal are approved for hiring in fiscal year 2004 (Congressional Statement to Congress, Congressional Budget Office, and response to shortcomings in the 9/11 Commission findings).  This money has to be spent or lost.  Assuming the 50% failure ratio that has been publicly documented in interviews in the past, at least 7,000 polygraph test will have to be performed in order to attain the numbers.  

Do not be surprised if the "polygraph failure rate" gets bumped down in the next few months to accomodate the Director's goals.

All appeals are going to take alot longer since there will not be as many open slots available with current examiners or equipment which are taxed to the maximum at this time.

Regards.