Daysleeper wrote on Jul 24^th, 2004 at 4:21am:



It could be worse this time.  The polygrapher may want to engage in a little one upsmanship.  He may want to show he is better than the first guy and that he can catch you when the other one couldn't.

Daysleeper,

I don't think it would be wise to try to tell you polygrapher how to do his job. It would only create an unnecessarily adversarial relationship that can only work to your detriment.

You may wish to adopt what we call in The Lie Behind the Lie Detector the "complete honesty" approach and to tell your polygrapher that you've researched polygraphy and are now familiar with the methodology. If you choose this option, it would be best to be polite and not to come across as gloating over having discovered the little man behind the curtain. Be aware, however, that even politely telling your polygrapher that you've learned about polygraph procedure entails a risk that you'll be arbitrarily accused of deception and/or countermeasures.

The other option is to play along to get along. Normally, having previously passed an FBI polygraph just a year ago ought to be helpful the second time around. However, FBI polygraphers also read this message board. It's likely that at least one has already seen your post and saved it for circulation to colleagues on Monday. As a result of the detail you included in your post, any person(s) now in the process of being re-hired who were polygraphed about a year ago and don't admit to having researched polygraphy will likely be at an increased risk of being accused of countermeasure use. Thus, the "complete honesty" approach might be your best option at this point.

It is to be hoped that the FBI polygraph unit would have the "fidelity, bravery, and integrity" not to retaliate against you for having learned the truth about polygraphs.

Daysleeper wrote on Jul 24^th, 2004 at 7:32pm:


Daysleeper,

I'm not sure I understand what it is you're asking. Examination of polygraph charts does not reveal whether or not a person has been truthful. And the fact that the Bureau has previously polygraphed you is no guarantee that you won't be accused of attempted countermeasures this time around.