I posted some of this in a different (incorrect) thread. It was suggested that I start a new topic, so here I am...

Several years ago, I applied for a position with a Sheriff's department as a Civilian Prison Guard.  I was polygraphed, and the Detective FAILED me.   

The "problem" he cited was that my responses to questions regarding the use of illegal drugs (specifically Cocainne) had registered with a large 'swing'.  He claimed that he ran the test 'three times', and that I had the same 'swing' each time.

Anyway, I know that I have NEVER used any illegal drug of ANY type, and definitely not Cocainne. I am a very religious and honest person and I still want to serve my community.

I contested the result via letters, and ultimately the Department denied my application because my "Credit Report" was not "up to standards".  The poly results were never mentioned.

Well, now I want to apply as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in a different county, and they will require a Polygraph.

I have read the lie-behind-the-lie book, but I am not certain how to handle the Polygraph Examination.   

I HATE the "test", and I know from first-hand experience that the thing is flawed.

It has been suggested that I need to use counter-measures.  Ok, lets assume that I will do that.

I know that I can approach the examiner with "Complete Honesty", but is that really going to work?  Has it worked for any of you, or do you suggest that I not mention that I have studied this topic?

More importantly, how do you suggest that I breach the subject of this being my second poly?  Do I waltz in there and say "oh, by the way, this is my second poly exam because the last detective was WRONG."?

I recognize that much of this topic is guess work--we don't know who the examiner will be, nor do we know what their attitude will be, plus there are many other variables.

I'm just looking for some advice on how to go in.  I will take all of your comments very seriously, and then do the best I can.

The poly exam was the worst experience of my life, because the finger of the law said I was guilty of something I was seeking to protect the public from. I was innocent, I said I was innocent, and I NEVER backed down from that.  And in the end, it didn't matter.

Looking forward to your comments.

D.

Gerald,

that is definitely one of my fears: that they will fail me on the basis of my old polygraph.

you know, it's truly amazing.  It will cost me $2,500 of my own money, and almost one-year in school at night and on weekends to get my POST certificate and my equipment.  The department wont cover any of that.   

I suppose some people might go to such lengths to carry a badge and a gun, and put themselves in harms way, but I dont know many...

I'm willing to put myself into the uncomfortable position of taking another quack exam because I feel that serving my community (and thus, my own kids) is worth it.  Where is the test that measures your heart?  It's not the poly, and that's for sure.

D

Dad,

Sorry to hear that you failed your last polygraph; maybe now you will practice and utilize countermeasures to ensure you're not another false positive victim.   

Don't admit anything to the polygrapher that you haven't already admitted to your Backround Investigator.  If he asks you what you know about the polygraph, tell him that you know it measures your breathing, blood pressure, sweat, and not really much else.  Remember that this guy is out to get a confession from you, utilizing the polygraph apparatus as an intimidation device.  If he asks you why you failed the last polygraph, tell him that you have no idea because you were 100% honest.    

Read TLBTLD, and Doug Williams' guide (if you have the $47, well worth it).  Whatever you do, don't go into the poly exam thinking that if you tell the truth, and are 100% honest, everything will be just fine.   

Good luck,
Kona

The Dad,
see, that is the kind of ignorance that you will find on this board.  Despite the fact that they (the anti-folks) always rag us about our views.  I do not feel that I am qualified to advise you onyour previous polygraph experience.  I just do not have enough information, and as much as I hate to say it, you may have run into an inept examiner....assuming you ARE being 100%honest. I assure you that any department worthe their salt is going to do a background check before you get to the polygraph phase.  They WILL know about your application (especially within the same state - how stupid!) and most likely about your previous polygraph.  The examiner will wonder why you did not mention it, in fact he will most likely ask you, so it becomes a moot point.  Saying that you "forgot" about it isn't going to cut it. You will be backed into a corner and the justifiable position that the examiner will take is that you are trying to hide something from the very beginning....now what would you think.  Some of these fools and their very, very strange advice amazes me.  Where will they be when you get discovered?  Bet they won't be there to support you then.

TheDad,

I am also interested in the anwers to your questions that any polygraph examiners who read this message board may care to post. Perhaps some might also explain how polygraph examiners are to handle subjects who admit to understing "the lie behind the lie detector." I have put this question to American Polygraph Association president Skip Webb, but he declined to answer:

http://antipolygraph.org/read.shtml#informed-subjects

!!!

i was honest in my control questions.

if what you say is true, then i would have been flat-lining on my control questions.  Why on earth would i lie to the control questions???  that seems stupid to me.

what you're saying is that an honest person has a higher chance of getting a false positive!

have i ever lied to a loved one?  of course, or at least withheld all information about a particular subject.  I have to! I'm in a position of trust in my church, and I work for the Navy as a contractor where I often have access to patient records.  I could have a horrible day, and when my wife asks: "did you have a good day?", do you think I'm going to ruin hers?  You BET i had a good day, and it's going to get even better now that i'm home...

have i ever stolen anything?  yeah, as a kid i stole a magazine (or a comic book).  i think i was 10.  Oh, and i still feel guilty about it.   

anyway, it seems that honesty is NOT rewarded by the system.  I guess some of you are laughing at me, thinking "duh.  of course, moron."   

Well, I'm learning fast.

Again, to the poly detectives:

I didn't lie on my polygraph.   
 
-What can I do? 
-How can I expect to be treated? 
-How have you handled people who come to you with my situation. 

thanks for your time,
D

MayIHaveAnother,

What did you tell your polygraph examiner about your knowledge of polygraphy?

Note that within the Department of Defense, for the past several years running, the only individuals who have ultimately (after all "re-tests") failed their counterintelligence-scope polygraph examinations have been those who made "substantive" admissions. See How to Pass the DoD CI-Scope Polygraph.

George,

  He asked me what I had read about CMs, and I told
him the usual;  biting the tongue, sphincter muscle, and
tac in shoe.  I forgot to mention the deodorant on the
fingertips.  I really don't know why I need to go back,
but I bet I get the bad cop again, then I will fail.  I
don't think any polygrapher is going to lose sleep over
failing an honest person.  I wonder if they are going
to start failing anyone who has a hint of what is going
on.  Although I was holding back, on the first couple of
tests, the last two I was up front with them (it concerns
an issue that is a non-issue)...