I applied for an FBI SA position in March of 2003.  After nearly 1 1/2 years of testing and interviewing I was administered a polygraph.  The polygraph took place in a small room with a see through mirror.  The chair resembled something close to an electric chair.  I was nervous throughout the entire process, however, was assured by the polygrapher that the nervousness would not have an impact on the test results.  The polygrapher conducted his pre exam interview, and tried to make me feel as comfortable as possible.  Next, he hooked up to the machine and began the test.  The fist half of the test was on drug use and criminal activity.  The second half dealt with national security issues.   

After the test the polygrapher left the room and came back.  To the best of my ability, his exact words were "when I see results such as this, I am convinced that the test has been manipulated” I denied manipulating the test because at the time I knew nothing of countermeasures or polygraphy.  He told me that he would have to fax my chart to HQ in D.C. and they will make the final decision.   

A few hours later I received a call from my FBI recruiter.  She notified me that I had failed the test because of deception detected on the national security questions.  This came as a surprise because during the post test interrogation there was no mention of deception being detected.  Instead, the entire post test interrogation involved the examiner attempting to force me to admit that I had been trying to beat the test.  Something did not make sense!!!

To make matters more interesting, before my polygraph exam I was greeted by another polygrapher other than the one who administered the test.  The other polygrapher informed me that the new polygrapher was new and they were trying out some "new" equipment.  Furthermore, he told me that he would personally be supervising the new polygrapher to ensure a proper test.   

I doubt, my test was supervised, unless the supervising polygrapher was watching through the see through mirror for the entire two hours.  I did not see the supervising polygrapher at all during any phase of my test.

It is perhaps a bit odd, that the FBI will ignore all of years of honorable military service and accept the recommendation of a novice polygrapher in questioning my loyalty to the U.S.!!!

I wrote a letter to the FBI laboratory, and requested a retest.  I received a very sketchy and somewhat rude reply which more or less indicated that my application was terminated and there were no other avenues to pursue.   

PolyFool:

First I may add that I did not receive the original "not within acceptable parameters" letter for roughly three months after I failed the polygraph.  Also it may be of some value for people out there to know that after my failed poly the FBI went ahead and conducted my background check.  They talked to my references, college professors, employers etc... (I know this because all my references contact me as the FBI contacted them).   

Apparently, the FBI background investigators did not know that I had not passed the poly (I mention this as an example of the lack of communication and organization within the FBI).   

To answer your questions:

After receiving the "not within acceptable parameters letter" I sent a letter to the FBI HQ in D.C.  In the letter I politely yet firmly denied being untruthful on the polygraph exam.  I received a reply within a week (which is abnormally fast for the FBI, and only leads me to believe that they did not even bother considering my claims nor did they look into the matter).   

The second letter did not mention anything about me trying to beat the test (which at the time I did not know how to do).  Nor did it mention anything about deception.  It was very similar to what you received in that it said "we appreciate your interest to work for the FBI, but there are not further avenues for you to pursue."  The letter did however; say that "I do not have the authority to grant you a retest” The letter was also unsigned. 

The letter did not say anything about it being added to my FBI file.   

I am considering writing to the Director of the FBI, maybe he has authority, but again given my language skills even if were employed it would be in counterterrorism and in no way would I want to be fired in 5 years because of random polygraph tests.

polyfool wrote on May 1^st, 2005 at 2:47am:


Although I was not granted a "re-test," my appeal letters were included in my FBI file.

It's a real shame that the FBI places so much emphasis on the polygraph while ignoring more reliable selection criteria such as solid background investigation information and honorable military service. If I had a guess I would say the examiner was biased against you because of your ethnicity. I'm not for certain, but I think most FBI applicants fail due to the drug questions and employees who fail have trouble with security issues? Could I ask what the relevant security questions were on your test? It seems very unfair that some applicants are offered retests while others are not. However, I guess that doesn't matter so much because the retests are  not really second chances since no one ever passes them. The agency is just trying give the appearance of fairness by offering an appeal process, which some  people are told about while others are not. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot that's fair in the FBI application process. Personally, I wish I had steered clear of it. If I'd known more about the polygraph before I took it, I would have.