I have been dealing with a situation for a long time and now it looks like my only way for ending it quickly is taking a polygraph,unfourtunatley. I have had plenty of notice before hand so I have conducted as much research as I can on the topic and it is amazing how many innocent people go down on this hunk-o-junk. I definatly plan on using counter measures but I have a few questions. 

1. Do I use a CM on the pre-test? Card and numbers game.
2. Is it is ok to make minor admissions on control questions? Such as; have you ever told a lie or have you ever stolen something? Does that make them feel more in control, playing into them?
3. Is there a way to tell if the chair is equipped with a pressure sensitive pad? Maybe a cord coming from it?
4. Do they ask Logical Falicies?

Northwest42 wrote on Mar 30^th, 2008 at 2:55pm:


Note that this procedure is called an acquaintance or stimulation (or "stim") test. Yes, one would want to augment reactions during it. Not for the purpose of thwarting it, but rather to confirm the expected result and reinforce the polygrapher's belief that you will react strongly when untruthfully answering a question. So if you wrote the number 5, you would want to augment reactions when asked, "Did you write the number 5?" 

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Yes, it is okay to make minor admissions such as to petty theft, pilferage of office supplies, or having lied to a loved one. Most people have done such things, and polygraphers are accustomed to hearing minor admissions. What would really make the polygrapher feel in control and stroke his ego is to make an admission to something personally embarrassing (but not incriminating and completely unrelated to the relevant issue), even if it's made up, and prefacing it with words to the effect of, "I'm so embarrassed, but when I was ... I .... You're the only person I've ever told about this."

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Seat pads are generally not hidden, but are laid out in plain sight and are connected to the polygraph instrument by visible cables. Polygraphers hope that this equipment will not only help to detect potential countermeasures, but to deter examinees from employing them.

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I'm not sure what you mean. Could you give an example?

See Chapters 3 & 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for a detailed explanation of polygraph procedure, including the kinds of questions you're likely to encounter, as well as a detailed explanation of polygraph countermeasures.

logical falicies are like if you are on trial for a drug offense and the attorney asks "When did you stop using drugs?".   


I would like to thank everyone for their input, it is much appreciated!     My test is coming up very soon.

Remember, that the result of the polygraph test you are about to take is the OPINION  of the examiner, based upon the ASSUMPTION that any abnormal physiological reactions to the relevant questions are a result of lying.  Additionally, the abnormal physiological reactions themselves are considered abnormal because the examiner ASSUMES you told little white lies in response to the control questions.

Science at it's finest...

A polygraph interrogation will typically last between one and three hours. If you'd like to watch a video of a polygraph session that was arranged by a lawyer for a client, you can do so here:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7392128883217359710

For commentary on this polygraph examination, see my Critique of Louis I. Rovner's Polygraph Examination and Testimony in Ohio v. Sharma.