What to expect at a polygraph pre-employment screening?  I'll tell you, you just have to decide whether it's farce or fraud.  This example of  screening was done by Des Moines, IA PD.  They used a Irrevelant/Revelant type of test (running three charts).  A questionnaire was given before the test.  The questionnaire is layed out like this (or similar-I'm trying to recall from memory): a. general personal info (name,dob, etc): b. financial questions (bankruptcy, repossessions, garnished wages, gambling debt, etc);c. illicit drug list (can be answered no or the number of times tried); d. health problems (aids, back problems, etc-again, yes or no) e. specific criminal acts (Have you ever committed robbery?), these questions you can answer such as yes, attempted and no. After you complete the questionairre, the polygrapher goes over your answers with you.  The interview begins and any admissions you make are noted by the polygrapher.  This is where the polygrapher begins spinning his web.  If you make any admissions at this point he has already labeled you deceptive.  I would suggest writing any minor admissions on the questionairre before handing it to him.  Here's a spin you'll see: If you admit that you stole candy when you were five years old and didn't get caught and punished, the polygrapher will spin this.  The spin will go something like this: the polygrapher will tell you that people will continue to steal unless they're caught and punished(what!?)-trying to get some admission.  He will continue to tell you that if you tell him know everything will be o.k.; you will be reminded that the polygraph machine will be able to tell if you're telling the truth.  Once he goes over the questionairre and notes any admission, the polygrapher has you initial each page of the questionnaire.   The polygrapher hooks you up and runs a stim test.  After the stim test you tells you the questions he will be asking then it's showtime.  One of the relevant questions asked was "have you ever committed on undetected crime" (not "serious crime"-I believe this puts you already in a  no-win situation).  After two tests asking the same questions in differing order, the polygrapher  stepped out of the room to get the paper charts.  He comes back in the room and here comes the spin again?  "What's bothering you?"  "There are some issues here", expect to hear these!  The undetected crimes question was a problem but I didn't have anything to get stuck onto his web.  The last test was run.  "We still have issues"  Now a few minor threats are added, " I'm going to have write in my report that you've been deceptive based on your reactions."  The polygrapher layed the 2nd and 3rd charts on the ground so I could take a look.  I was curious why he wasn't showing my first chart, though.  He made no mention about my first chart!  I asked about the first chart.  I think I asked three times to see the first chart, he seemed reluctant to show me.  He layed it down next to the two other.  Hey, wait a minute!  There is a noticeable difference between the 1st chart and the 2nd/3rd chart regarding the question of undetected crime.  I asked him how this could be?  He backed away from a straightfoward answer and said that my sweat glands were more active (the real difference was in the respirations).  I asked if their was any scientific validity to these tests.  I must have  punched him in the gut.  He rolled his eyes back, like a teenage girl, and said, "sure there is."   The polygrapher continued to build themes about the undetected crime questions (post test); he told me about a recent admission he got from a child pedophile (gimme a break!).  He told me that if I didn't tell him what crime I committed, he wouldn't know what I had done (duh!).  With nothing to admit we were at a stand still.  At this point we were going nowhere; I was pissed and arguing so  I asked if we were done.  Unfortunately, this guy now is able to give his "holier-than-thou" opinion.  Of course, I got the shaft.  I spilled this out pretty fast but if I can be any help email me.  We have to stop this nonsense!

Dear West Coast Grad,

The polygraph exam given with no witnesses, video or audio taping, allows questions to be asked in a "secure" environment that otherwise could not be asked legally.  If one refuses to answer such questions, the crafty interrogator will then say, "Why do you refuse to anwer my questions, you must have something to hide" and it goes downhill from there.

My polygraph examiners asked no illegal questions but the ability to prove that such questions were asked is important.

Regards.

Confused,

Fair Chance can answer for himself, but most assuredly, every exam should be audio and video recorded...no exceptions.