I became a credentialed "forensic psycho-physiologist" some 12 years ago, after completing my studies at the Backster School of Lie Detection in November of 2004.

Since that time, as a member of the American Polygraph Association, I've conducted countless polygraph "tests" of many types.

My exposure to the world of polygraph whoredom has been interesting, but it's time to move on.

Effective January 1st, 2017, I am retiring from the polygraph indu$try.

Over the years I became increasingly disenchanted, if not disgusted, with the polygraph indu$try -- and for good reasons.

Here are my main complaints, which became irrevocably cemented after spending a dozen years in the polygraph trenches -- five of which were spent running PCSOT exams behind the walls in a state prison.

In my view...

* Polygraph "testing" is a SWAG -- a scientific wild-ass guess; there is precious little foundation for the CQT

* Accuracy claims proffered by pro-polygraph organizations are not realistic and thus should not be believed

* The polygraph indu$try cares very little about victimization and its attendant collateral damage

* A bill of rights for polygraph test-takers is long overdue

* Polygraph "testing" is mainly about one thing: MONEY

Anyone contemplating taking a polygraph "test" -- or who is a secondary consumer of the polygraph indu$try's products or services -- should enlighten themselves by reading four most informative books. They are:

The Lie Detectors: The History of an American Obsession by Ken Alder

Gatekeeper: Memoirs of a CIA Polygraph Examiner, by John F. Sullivan

The Polygraph and Lie Detection, published by the National Academies Press

The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, by George W. Maschke and Gino J. Scalabrini

Effective January 1st, 2017 I will no longer be a participant on this or any other polygraph-oriented web site. However, I will remain available for select consultation -- in person only -- on a very limited basis.

Thanks to all who engaged me here on the antipolygraph.org forum.

That said, I deeply regret that I never got to meet a polygraph realist of the highest stature -- Drew Richardson. His views, teachings, experience and encouragement were most influential to me. Rest in peace, Drew.

Lastly, if you can avoid taking a polygraph "test," do so. If you have little or no choice, learn everything you can about the process before you take the "test."

Goodbye and good luck.

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Dan Mangan

Sent you PM.

Dan,

Congratulations on your retirement from the polygraph business, and thanks for your contribution to the public discourse on this pseudoscience.

Happy trails!

Good riddance.  A fool who had no business being in our profession.

Geez quickfix, you have to be a leprechaun on Christmas Eve?

It's OK, Ark. Quickfix is right. I don't belong in his polygraph world.

Polygraph "testing" depends both on the ignorance of the examinee, as well as that person's fear of the odious examination process.

In retrospect, it was foolish of me to think I could bring significant change to the polygraph indu$try by advocating for a test-taker bill of rights, as well as calling for a countermeasure challenge series.

Both of those initiatives would have had deleterious effects on the polygraph indu$try, which is mainly about money.

Scientifically speaking, polygraph "testing" is a sick farce. As Doug Williams has said for decades, polygraph "testing" is a psychological billy club. Implementing a bill of rights for polygraph test-takers would be akin to running that billy club through a wood chipper.

Clearly, the polygraph indu$try's values are not my values. I have come to accept that immutable fact.

My only regret is that I did not succeed in bringing the polygraph indu$try -- particularly the American Polygraph Association -- to a higher level of ethical standards.

But hey, I tried.

Dan,

As you move on to more meaningful pursuits, I hope you'll consider stopping by here from time to time to share your thoughts on polygraph-related happenings.

Not only can you help encourage others to follow your example and exit the polygraph "profession," you can  also help persuade those considering becoming polygraph operators to pursue more ethical and honorable career fields.

>:(
quickfix wrote on Dec 24^th, 2016 at 4:02pm:

Good riddance.  A fool who had no business being in our profession.

Thank you, Mr. Scrooge! >:(

Dan Mangan wrote on Dec 24^th, 2016 at 4:45am:

Effective January 1st, 2017, I am retiring from the polygraph indu$try.

Hopefully this doesn't also mean that you'll be disappearing from this pages.

Much luck in your retirement! :)

George, you may consider asking Dan to contribute a paragraph or two on the next revision of TLBTLD.

quickfix wrote on Dec 24^th, 2016 at 4:02pm:

Good riddance.  A fool who had no business being in our profession.

Since when has committing fraud been considered a profession ? 

Ex Member wrote on Dec 24^th, 2016 at 4:14pm:

Geez quickfix, you have to be a leprechaun on Christmas Eve?

Not only on Xmas Eve, but on the other 364 days of the year as well! ;)

In closing, here are ten distinct impressions I came away with after serving as an APA-credentialed "forensic psycho-physiologist" over the past 12 years...

1. Polygraph "testing" has no scientific basis.

2. Generally speaking, polygraph "testing" is essentially a $cam.

3. The flattering research that's proffered by pro-polygraph organizations is inherently flawed.

4. The "model policies" concocted by pro-polygraph organizations are conjured up by like-minded polygraph advocate$ who benefit, either directly or indirectly, from proliferation of the "test."

5. The polygraph indu$try is more of a cult than it is a legitimate science-based professional entity.

6. Credentialed polygraph practitioners who criticize the "test" are regarded by polygraph indu$try power brokers as apostates, and thus are summarily ostracized.

7. Post-Conviction Sex Offender Testing  (PCSOT) is primarily a racket -- wrapped in a cloak of righteousness -- that targets a universally reviled underclass.

8. The polygraph "test" is mainly a pretext for an interrogation. By itself, the "test" has virtually no scientific value, validity or credibility.

9. Any noteworthy consistency of accurate calls derived from polygraph "testing" by an individual examiner stems not from science, but from that examiner's unique combination of education, experience, expertise, intuition and luck.

10.  Polygraph "testing" is primarily about one thing: MONEY.

Well put Dan.

Best of 2017 to you and your family.

I'll be in touch with you.

Good luck in your future endeavors.

The best of fortune to you Mr. Mangan.

Here's hoping that polygraphy will continue to occupy your attention and you will be unable to stay away from this board.