Hey guys (and gals)

If the polygraph is supposedly scientifically proven and reliable, then why is it that the examiners (and agency) ask on the application whether you have taken a poly exam before.  From what I remember from my highschool science classes, in order for a process to follow the scientific method, impartiallities and biases must be removed.

Asking for prior poly exam history from applicants is obviously corrupting the potential "scientific data".  If this question doesn't introduce impartiallites, then I don't know what does...

Just another argument I have against the poly.

I guess the poly isn't even advanced as highschool science.

Real Scientist,

Of course, "control" question "test" polygraphy is neither scientifically proven nor reliable. It has no scientific basis at all. The bias introduced by asking the subject whether he/she has been polygraphed before is just one of many uncontrolled variables liable to affect the outcome of that which is wrongly called a "test."

You may be interested in the discussion thread, "Scientific Validity of Polygraph" and Drew Richardson's recent remarks to the National Academy of Sciences.