It appears that you are being accused of having employed polygraph countermeasures, and the accusation could lead to some major unpleasantness for you.

What kind of polygraph examination was this? Is it in the context of a criminal investigation, or is it for a security clearance? I'll await your response to these questions, but in either case, you should probably consult with a lawyer. If you are in the military, make an appointment with your JAG office.

I think it would probably be in your best interest to refuse any further polygraph "testing" and to seek legal counsel, as you are apparently the suspect in a criminal investigation.

See Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for details on how the "test" really works (it depends on the polygrapher lying to and deceiving you), and see Chapter 4 for an explanation of polygraph countermeasures (methods for beating a polygraph "test").

Again, my recommendation is that you refuse to submit to this nonsense. In the event that you feel compelled to go back for another session with the polygrapher, I suggest that you bring a lawyer with you, and explain to the polygrapher what you've learned about polygraphy since his false accusation against you.

In addition, be aware that there is a good chance that your polygrapher and/or his superiors will have learned of your post to this message board, as members of the polygraph community read these boards, too.

As used in criminal investigations, polygraph "testing" is essentially a ruse to dupe suspects into agreeing to an interrogation without the presence of legal counsel.

As you consider what course of action to take, you'll also want to review DoD's polygraph regulation, which you'll find here:

http://fas.org/sgp/othergov/polygraph/dod5210-48.html

Regarding your polygrapher's threat that your security clearance would be revoked if you refused to be polygraphed, note that the DoD regulation states:

"4.10. Adverse action shall not be taken against a person for refusal to take a polygraph examination in criminal or unauthorized disclosure cases.

4.11. A refusal to consent to a polygraph examination shall not be recorded in the person's personnel file or any investigative file, nor shall a person's supervisor, and in the case of a contractor employee, the person's employer, be informed of the refusal, unless such actions are necessary in support of action to be taken under the provisions of subsection 4.8., above. Refusal to take a polygraph examination shall be given the full privacy protection provided for in DoD Directive 5400.11 (reference (c))."

If I could ask everyone to take a moment and reflect on the importance of this thread, I think you will agree that it's interesting and highly illustrative...

Here we have a man undergoing polygraph interrogation by the DoD. Presumably the polygrapher is DoDPI trained... and yet he was so unsophisticated, so inept that he could not discern if a person was telling the truth or using countermeasures. What is really troubling is that rather than erring on the side of caution, the polygrapher accuses and sets up a course of events that can only lead to this man failing his polygraph.

Is this the vaunted 'counter-countermeasures' we hear Dr. Barland et. al. hinting at (but never discussing in an open and honest fashion?) Arbitrarily accuse 'em of using countermeasures and then sit back and see what happens? 

Good to see the cream of the polygraphic crop using this highly sophisticated counter-countermeasures technique.

This situation is so similar to the FBI's treatment of myself during my pre-screening interview.  Constantly accusing the subject to "breathing patterns", physical movement during the polygraph, an offer to "clear things up" if he would only confess to using "countermeasures."  I was completely unaware of any website like this during my pre-screening process and my examiner ranted and raved about how I was trying to "fool" him.  I did nothing wrong, admitted to nothing wrong, and was still "not within acceptable parameters."
I was told that my job application would stop instantly if "I did not come up with a reason."  How many people wanting to obtain the job of their dreams, would at this point be grasping at straws to keep the application process going.  I for one was not willing.

The polygraph is completely useless without confessions.  The existing arguement for polygraph use is "we get confessions that we would otherwise not get."  The ends justify the means.

You were a "fish" that did not open up his mouth for the "hook."  When more people learn about the fallicy of the "lie detector", it will become useless and placed on the shelf.

I am in law enforcement.  I am proud about what I do.  I was never aware about the "dark side of the polygraph either."

Helpme,

I took a DoD polygrap test about one month ago. I was accused of looking at pornographic stuff on a work computer. I took the test and they said I didn't pass. After the test, I told the operator that I had received an email at work that had a questionable photo, but I received it from a friend who didn't know better and send it to me at work. I had deleted it as soon as I saw it.  I told him that I never looked at such stuff on the internet at work. I was questioned about by breaths. 

Doug

Quote:


Douglas,

If you indeed were viewing "questionable" material over the internet at your job, wouldn't your employer have said something to you?

At my facility, our internet access is heavily monitored and the firewall will restrict access to "questionable" websites. If you work for a large employer they probably have the same filters on the firewalls that prevent access to those sites and you probably have your "net" time logged. 

If you received it as an email from your friend and viewed it without knowing what it was, you have committed no crime. The polygrapher is attempting to extort information from you, BEWARE


Fred F.