Funny Feeling,

I think they'd have a hard time describing what transpired as a "failed" polygraph, since you never took one.  You simply withdrew your application at a point before your polygraph test.  What transpires in a polygraph "test" is wide open to interpretation, but the fact that you never took one is pretty clear-cut.  To most people, "taking a polygraph" means you get hooked up to the machine.  The pre-test phase alone, I would think, would be seen simply as an interview.

Skeptic

I think your polygraph examination would have to be considered "incomplete" since there was no chart collection and no decision rendered.

It would be wise to file a Privacy Act request for all FBI records related to your application for employment to find out just how the polygraph session has been characterized.

An report that the examination is "incomplete" is definitely less prejudicial than a "deception indicated" outcome.

funny_feeling wrote on Jun 12^th, 2003 at 10:20pm:

Many polygraph proponents would say "good job" to have scared off someone who was not committed to be ready to sacrifice "their integrity" for the common good of the "FBI".  As a taxpayer, it is a shame to have spent so much money getting this person to be "conditionally accepted" only to lose them when they learn of the inappropriate use of the pre-screening polygraph. 

I wish Funny Felling good luck in his endeavors to find work in the government.  We can use thinking people who talk to family and friends before making decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives.

I can only wonder of my own decision to go through having my reputation dragged through the mud only to be vindicated more than a year afterwards.  As I have told Marty on many occasions, the poor forensic quality of the pre-screening test does not reflect well on an organization that is suppose to protect my Constitutional Freedoms with the highest technology in the Nation.

Regards   

Saidme wrote on Jun 13^th, 2003 at 3:43pm:


I can't speak for him, but let's get past the assumption that you will only fail a polygraph if you have committed transgressions and you lie about these acts during your test.

I didn't speak for him, as I explicitly said.

If you hadn't punctuated your question with that "cool" emoticon, I actually wouldn't have inferred anything from it.

Not to mention, if you want to ask him a question without anybody else chiming in, try sending him a message.  I'll comment on anything I want to.

George

Answer this question for me if you can.  If the failure rate is 50% for FBI applicants.  What percentage of those who failed would you say failed because of legitimate derogatory information in their past?  What percentage would you say were false positives?  I disagree to an extent with your statement "Failing an FBI polygraph examination has lasting career consequences".  I know several federal agents whom have failed FBI polygraph examinations and went on to have very successful careers in other federal and state agencies.  I agree that some have continued to have problems but I think those are exceptions to the rule.  FYI:  I'm in favor of pre-employment polygraph testing only if dergoatory information comes forward through a background investigation.  The test would then be a specific issue test.  Wouldn't you agree that would be a suitable use for polygraph?

George

Your decision not to use polygraph in light of derogatory information is disheartening.  I think it's probably for the best you didn't make it into law enforcement.  With the liberal leaning courts and the obstacles already put in place by our legal system, tools such as polygraph are excellent avenues to resolve criminal specific issues.  Even your coveted NAS report noted criminal specific issue testing is "better than chance".  Your failed exam with the FBI must be eating away at you more than we all know.  Regards.