Johnn wrote on Sep 1^st, 2005 at 2:35am:

Will they start a background investigation, nonetheless?  The two individuals who gave me the security interview told me that my background will start as soon as the poly is over.  I'd be very upset if they start the background all the while taking their sweet time deciding if I was being deceptive or not. I can't believe how my mind keeps playing that moment over and over again.  I'm filled with what ifs, if only, and what could've.  The entire experience is very traumatizing - at least for me.

Johnn:

The FBI won't start your background unless you pass the poly. That's the whole purpose of it--so the agency doesn't waste time and money on someone whom it deems shows problems in areas, such as drugs. It's really pathetic, I know. Even if the agency begins the background, it will cease if you are deemed deceptive. For your sake, I hope this doesn't happen--it would just mean more explaining to your employer, neighbors, etc. of why you won't be working for the FBI.

Johnn, I can assure you-- replaying it in your mind(mine was more than a moment--it was a lengthy interrogation,) hearing the examiner's voice, words, seeing his face-- all very normal reactions to the traumatization you have experienced. Reading your words brings back the memories of how I felt following my horrible experience. I also understand the what if's---I still wish that I could take back ever applying to the FBI, but there's no sense in torturing yourself with such thoughts.  If I'd passed my polygraph, I would still believe that it worked, oblivious to the reality of its unreliability and shortcomings. My belief about the poly before I took one was that if a suspect or "person of interest" failed one, he/she must be guilty of murder. I have a very different view about the whole thing now. Despite the not so great position I find myself in,  atleast I am no longer in the dark, unaware of what the government is doing to good, honest job candidates  by subjecting them to an unfair, unprofessional screening procedure completely lacking scientific merit. I never in a million years would have believed it unless I had experienced it for myself.