I'm in the Fort Worth area and was on probation so I had to take repeated polygraphs.  I took about 10 over a number of years with just about everyone on this area: Wood's being the largest, but 3-4 others as well over the years.

The first few times I had no problem at all.  I was scared of every question and I told the truth, so they came out correctly.  THEN I failed one but I wasn't lying.  Over repeated exposure I had realized that the "control" questions (I didn't know they were control questions, I thought they were throw away questions) didn't matter.  Then I started showing no response to them.

By not being afraid of what I considered throw-away questions I failed.  And, when you fail a polygraph it's a REAL PROBLEM.  I wasn't lying, but any stress at all on a "relevant" question vs no response on a "throw away" question = a big fat failure.  So I retook and AND FAILED AGAIN.  Now I was in serious trouble.  I was so upset the 2nd time that I talked the polygrapher into reviewing the test.  When I called him a couple days later he said I cleared it - even though he showed the scores and I had failed miserable.  He was using computers to score the test.

So, what did I do?  I came here.  I read the guide and I put it into practice.  After that I passed the next one with flying colors.  But here's where it goes sideways - since I knew I could pass any polygraph I didn't have to worry about the conditions of my probation anymore.  I left the county without permission and did other things that weren't illegal but weren't allowed by my terms of probation.

I passed every polygraph for the next 4 years lying, or at least being willing to lie if a question came up on the test I couldn't answer truthfully.  And I was maniplating EVERY test question whether I needed to lie or not.  The final test used a butt sensor thing, but I just tensed different muscles and was careful.

THE FIRST PROBLEM - was that the polys I failed were totally inaccurate.  So, I had to do something to enhance my results.

THE SECOND PROBLEM - was that once I learned how to beat the machine I had no quams with cheating on my probation requirements.

I was committed to trusting the "professionals" and the "science" behind polygraphs.  It worked some, but when they fail - which is totally unpredictable since polygraphs are based on lies and deception at least, and human error and manipulation as well - then the consequences to ANYONE whether your on probation, trying to get a job, trying to prove your innocence, etc. are DIRE!!

Add to that the fact that they are so EASILY BEATEN.  I did it OVER AND OVER AGAIN while on probation with multiple polygraphers in the Fort Worth / Tarrant County area.  And you have a recipe for disaster on both fronts.

So, there's my story. 

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I know a lot of people on here are getting into law enforcement.  I think the lesson here is to use your judgement and do your job.  Don't count on BS lie detectors to give you anything useful.  I did my best to follow all my rules for years - until I failed this test.  Then I didn't have to try so hard.  I completed all the conditions of my probation and haven't been in any trouble (or done anything illegal) since.  But, it was very disappointing and terrifying when I failed TWO polys by being truthful.  And it's sad that lying and cheating was the answer to the problem.

  Funny, thanks for the welcome.