Today, I received the ominous brown envelop rescinding my verbal conditional offer for employment with the FBI. The reasons were the results of my polygraph examination were not within acceptable parameters, but no other specifics were provided. I have worked for the US military for almost 30 years which has required me to maintain a security clearance up to Top Secret. I have worked as a counterintelligence agent and civilian security specialist. I have had to undergo numerous periodic reinvestigations over the past 25 years to maintain my security clearance. At no time did any issues ever surface that caused me to have this position of trust suspended or revoked.  Unfortunately now based on the results of a pseudoscience device, I am labeled a liar. The experience was awful and the sad part about the whole ordeal is I told the truth!  My experience with the FBI polygraph can only be explained as being mentally raped. I realize that this was only a job interview, but I can not get out of my head. The incident keeps playing over and over in my head, especially at night. It really bothers me because I have not done anything wrong and was truthful during the polygraph. Enough feeling sorry for myself, here is my story. 

I showed up to the FBI building early and after sitting in the waiting area for around 45 minutes I was fingerprinted.  I was then given a pre-screening interview by the FBI agent who conducted my polygraph. The questions were basic about my life and military service.  One question asked was if I had ever done any research on the polygraph. The agent alluded if I had, it was useless. He commented that information on the Internet was false and he could tell if I attempted to use countermeasures. I had to sign a statement saying if any suspicion of countermeasures being used would result in failure of the test.  The agent’s questioning style was monotone and sounded scripted. This process took approximately 20 minutes. I was then instructed that during the polygraph exam only he and I would be in the room and no audio or video recording of the test would be conducted. In other words no official records of what went on in the room would exist. 

I was then taken into a small room with one desk that had an analog polygraph machine on it and three chairs.  The first part of the exam consisted of the agent explaining how the polygraph worked.  Again a scripted speech about how accurate the device was and could not be beat. I then was moved to another chair facing an off color white wall and wired up for the test. The agent had me pick a number 34 – 38 and write it down on a small piece of paper. He instructed me not to show him the number because the test would identify which number it was. This must be the infamous, “stimulation test”. I was then instructed the answer yes or no and not to move during the test. The numbers asked progressed from 30 – 39. This is when the whole process became strange. The number that was picked I intentionally answered with emphasis, but I also answered another wrong number the same way. The agent instructed me the test was over and I could move. After a minute or so, he handed me a torn piece of paper with my number on it. It was the number I had picked. The agent showed me the test sheet for the test and asked me what was special about it. Ironically, the only spike on the sheet was the number I had picked, but what happened to the wrong number I had answered the same way? There is no doubt in my mind this was setup to give the perception of polygraph accuracy. Sadly, I feel it more deception.

The next phase was the actual test in four separate questioning sessions. The agent told me the questions that were going to be asked for each.  During round one, I was told to breathe normal. When I told the agent I was breathing normal and asked him how he wanted me to breath, I could tell he became agitated. I have always been a shallow breather. I also have sleep apnea which causes me to use a breathing machine at night while sleeping.  During round two, again I was accused of abnormal breathing and he told me if I continued he would stop the test. Again I told the agent I was breathing normal. During round three is where my fate was sealed for employment with the FBI. One of the questions was if I had ever intentionally left anything significant off my security application? I coughed when I answered. The agent asked me if there was a problem with that question. I told him no. I coughed because my mouth was dry due to medication I had to take for high blood pressure. This medication was told to him during my pre-screening interview. During round four the question was asked again and I answered normal.  The agent instructed me the official test was over and he had to go have my charts reviewed and left the room.

After about 10 minutes, the agent returned and said my charts were troubling; especially the questions about leaving significant information off my security application. He told me I did not pass polygraph, but FBI HQ would have to make the final decision. The agent pulled his chair up close to me and said, “Is there anything you want to discuss and get off your chest?” I commented no because all questions asked were answered truthfully. He then gave me the friendly pitch about how much experience I had and what a value I would be to the FBI. He offered that if I told him what the problem was he may be able to help. Again, I said I had nothing to add because all questions were answered truthfully. The agent took me to the front reception desk and then I was then escorted out the building like a criminal. 

This is one job offer I should have passed on. I now have an official FBI folder for doing nothing but telling the truth and may have to explain this when my periodic security clearance comes up. I can’t even challenge any of the allegations made against me because I was never shown the polygraph charts or given any specific official reasons for my failing the polygraph test.  I have since requested copies under the Freedom of Information Act & Privacy Act for all documents related to this incident. I doubt if it will do any good, but I am interested in exactly what I was accused of that made me fail. 

I had much the same experience, more or less.

I successfully appealed my Lie result and got a re-test, tho I failed it too. But if you want a copy of my letter, let me know.

I've had the misfortune of sitting in for two polygraphs, both with horrific results.  First polygrapher advised me the test went well only to have D.C. send it back inconclusive.  Ding, ding, ding.  How useful is a polygraph if the standards between polygraphers differs?  One says good, other says not so good.  Who's right?  Second polygrapher asked a completely different series of questions relating to my current job position with the ridiculous standard of 'outside normal duties'  and even asked a personal question regarding my integrity with my wife.  I knew where I was headed after that.  The letter.  I'm appelaing both polygraphs and optimism is low but the advice I received was never stop.  Complain, complain, complain to SACs, local politicians, D.C. politicians even the A.P.A.  Let them know the injustice the FBI applies to polygraphs.  As local P.D. the polygraph can be used by well trained investigators (not the FBI) as a wonderful interview/interrogation technique based on the idea that additional investigation is required to substantiate polygraph claims.  Thanks for letting me vent.

triple x,

You write in part:
Quote:


The Bureau can neither reliably detect truth nor deception in the absence of countermeasures with its polygraph screening programs.  The notion that it has a computer-driven algorithm that can reliably detect countermeasure application (a function secondary to the failed primary function) is so ludicrous as to defy imagination.  This, of course, has nothing to do with any willingness that might exist to blindly accuse any given examinee of countermeasure use in the midst of such ignorance.

Fatman1955,

Is is quite a shock to learn the government is using such an unreliable tool as the polygraph to screen its applicants. Not to mention the insult of telling the truth and then having an FBI polygraph examiner look you in the eye, point his finger at you and call you a liar. There are lots of people on this board who know exactly how you feel. Don't expect to get much answers when you recieve your polygraph charts and report--a lot of it is redacted. However, that should not discourage you from requesting every file the agency has on you as well as asking for a retest. If everyone they wrongly failed did so and contacted their representatives in Congress, it would be much harder for the agency to get away with what it's doing to honest, innocent people. 

Eos Jupiter, 

I thought I saw a post by you either on this thread or another about the FBI using computer and analog polygraph machines. They still use both, unless things have recently changed. I had an exam with each--digital and analog. Analog is probably being phased out gradually, likely budget issues. Too bad the agency didn't use a little common sense and scrap its pre-employment screening program instead of investing taxpayer $$ in the digital versions of the absurd, worthless machines.

fatman1955,

You are right on so many levels from your post that to try and point out any one would be an injustice. I do feel for you now though, that you have a file on record with the FBI. Unfortuately it really won't hurt you if you are going to retire from the military. But it will haunt you afterwards. But do spread the word on this site and the voodoo that is the polygraph. Contrary to certain polygraphers who visit us here, you more than prove the bad choices the feds are making.  Much success and thanks for serving.

Regards ...

Eos,

My first so-called exam was conducted with a computerized version of the instrument, but the follow-up utilized the analog version. Who knows if it even worked or not?  What difference would it make since the FBI doesn't pass  applicants on retests?

Fatman1955,

Your hunch about FBI hiring managers hating the use of the polygraph in the hiring process seems on target. A former mgr. told me he hated not being able to hire top notch job candidates all because of the polygraph. He said he'd had run-ins with the head of the poly dept. over this very thing, whom by the way, he said is a complete idiot--go figure. 

Good luck to you. Just be glad you don't work for an entity foolish enough to rely on the polygraph to choose "the best and the brightest."