Matt,

With regard to your step 5, note that according to the head of the FBI's training unit, nearly 50% of special agent applicants are failing the polygraph alone. Regarding this, see the message thread, FBI Polygraph Failure Rate Reportedly Near 50%.

I can't remember the site but I read it on a news web site about 3 days ago.  An FBI represenative said about 30% fail the polygraphy.  If that's true then the other 20% fail the field background.  Still not sure because I've read 20% to 50% fail the poly.  I'll keep looking.

Dear Richard,

First off, I'd like to applaud you for making a wise choice in researching polygraphy prior to sitting down on the machine.

Second, I'd like to applaud you for choosing to remain anonymous.  I am assuming that "Richard Cranium" is a psedonym, and if it isn't your aprents should be shot for naming you Dick Head.

In response to all of your postings, you first might want to check the Personal Statements page here on this site.  Also know that there are thousands out there, not all of whom post here, who have failed the polygraph.  Not all have failed for good reasons, and some have failed for no reason.  It is my opinion that the FBI uses the polygraph as a means to thin their applicant pool.  It is completley wrong to do this, as there are many better ways of removing applicants from consideration than to label them and blacklist them from other government opportunities.  But, for the FBI, using the polygraph is a quick, cheap method of removing applicants from consideration.  And for every applicant that is removed, there are 10 waiting to fill his spot.  With so many trying to gain access, one or two applicants falsely failed by the polygraph become "acceptable collateral damage."

It is amazing that in this time of war, our soldiers are losing their lives by taking excessive risk in order to lessen civilian collateral damage.  Yet the FBI continues to falsely accuse applicants with the polygraph, and they chalk up the results as acceptable collateral damage.  How they can claim to be an agency of Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity when such a disparity exists is certainly beyond normal rationale.

(Stepping down from the soapbox)

Richard, beware of what you say on this site and who you tell about it.  This site is constantly monitored by various government agancies who will not hesitate to fail you on the polygraph just for visiting it.

So, in answer to your question, ANYTHING can eliminate you in the polygraph.  For me, it was an FBI paperwork error, leading to a false allegation of criminal espionage.  I have heard of others who have been accused of drug use, and some have even been accused of using countermeasures without even knowing what they are.   

If you truly have nothing to hide, you may feel you are safe.  I had nothing to hide either, and I was so confident I didn't do any research prior to my polygraph.  Sometimes I wish I did, because maybe I could have prevented the nightmare I suffered, and still suffer.   

Let me tell you a little story . . .
Two former Army Officers (myself being one) and a former NCO flew home together from our Phase II interviews last August, two of us confident that we had passed the interview, and that Quantico was all that was left before we became Special Agents.   But the other former officer wasn't so optimistic.
While talking about what steps lie ahead of us, he said to me, "You know what scares me?  The polygraph.  Those things are really unreliable."   
I looked at him confused, "Why? You sit down, tell the truth, and go.  It's easy.  Hell, I've got nothing to hide." 
"No way," he said.  "It's not that simple."
"You think it is that bad?" the former NCO piped in.
"Yes I do" he said.
"Look," I said, " the Army gave me a Top Secret clearance, and the FBI is going to investigate for the same by using a polygraph and a background check.  I know what I have done in my life, and I am not worried."
"OK," he said.  "But I would be."

I, as well as the former NCO, passed Phase II.  The skeptical former officer did not.   

One month after that talk, I failed my polygraph, accused of criminal espionage.  No follow on action has been taken, and the FBI has no plans to do so.

The former NCO, who also had a DoD Top Secret clearance, took his polygraph 3 days after me.  He failed, accused of having an "excessive drug problem."


Obviously, that conversation is one I will never forget.

Richard, no one really knows why you might fail the FBI pre-employment polygraph.  But if you think that you have led a good life, have nothing to hide, and that these things will allow you to pass this test, you are mistaken.

I hope I don't read your hooror story next to mine and the many others on this site.

Good Luck.

Chris