This one is REALLY long, but I need help. I was really left confused and don't know what to think. I took a polygraph exam for a law enforcement position a day ago and the whole situation was just odd, from start to finish. I have previous law enforcement experience and have "passed" 2 polygraphs before. So I wasn't worried at all and everything was on the table regarding my past.(I was more worried about my upcoming bloodwork - I have high cholesterol) We started with the usual hour and a half sit-down just talking and getting to know each other; sharing stories about our kids, hobbies etc. Then of course we went over all the questions in my history packet and the examiner selected a few questions and went over the specific ones with me that would be asked on the test. (12 questions to be exact) Then the examiner told me they had to "make a phone call" and that I should go to the bathroom, get a drink of water and wait in the lobby for about 20 minutes. So I went and waited. The examiner returned and brought me back to the room, but the chair I had been sitting in was gone. Instead, it had been changed to a high-backed chair with huge arms on it (I had never done one in a chair like this before) and it had pads on the back, seat, and arms. (I was told they were motion sensors)and the damn thing was horribly uncomfortable. I made a joke about, "Wow! Now this is a torture chair!" but the previously lovable, kind-natured examiner didnt even acknowledge the joke and just plainly said, "Sit down" and began strapping me in. He/she said they were going to calibrate the instrument to me. I was told to sit still and stare at the wall. After a few minutes, I was handed a pen & pad and told to write a number between 4 and 8. I wrote the number 8. The examiner snatched the pad from my hand and said very angrily, "I can see we're already going to have problems. You can't even follow simple directions." I was shocked. I asked what do you mean? He/she stated, I told you to pick a number between 4 and 8. This is what you picked. Is this number between 4 and 8? I said yes. He said no. 8 is not between 4 and 8. I stated that normally when someone asked for a number between 1 and 10, that the numbers 1 and 10 are usually included in that range. They said, "fine. We'll use this number." Then they told me that they were going to ask me what my number was. I was told to answer "no" to everything. So it came and went and I said, "No" to everything. Is your number 4? no. Is your number 5? no. Is your number 6? no. Is your number 7? no. Is your number 8? no. Is your number 9? no. As I finished saying no to 9, the examiner reached over and popped the blood pressure cuff off my arm and said, "you know what. We're gonna stop right here." Heturned the computer off and plainly asked, "What is your problem?" I replied, "nothing. Why?" He said obviously there is something wrong because I asked you to do 3 simple things and you can't even do that. He/she then said, "I need to excuse myself for a minute" and left the room. The examiner came back about 5-10 minutes later with a sergeant. They both then proceeded to tell me that I was purposely trying to decieve the instrument. I was told that I was moving, that I was controlling my breathing, and that I wasnt focusing on the questions like I was instructed. The sergeant then accused me of going to a seminar to learn how to beat a lie detector. (A seminar? Really?) She then said that I must have researched it on the internet or something. (of course it wasn't true. I wasnt even half-way concerned about this test; I had passed them with no problems before) I was then told that I was lying and that my "numbers" on the machine were all over the place and they could tell that I was purposely trying to control my breathing. The examiner kept asking me why I was lying; over and over. She then said something like, "I'm not going to sit here til 4 o'clock while you decide if you're gonna tell me the truth or not"... After about 15 minutes of these accusations, the sergeant left and was like, "oh well. its your test. go fail it". and with that, we started the test with the real questions. Each time I finished a series of questions though, the examiner would shake her head, turn off the computer and leave the room in a huff. I really felt that I was doing something wrong. He/She also changed the "electrodes" on my hand several times. The first series of questions they used the typical metal finger probes... then they changed them and put electrodes on my wrist for the 2nd series of questions... then for the 3rd, they changed them again and put these big pads on my hand. (what was that all about? any ideas?) When all was said and done, she left the room to "see if we have enough data to score." He/She came back and asked if I reacted to any questions. I said nope. I was nervious and felt kinda stiff, but I think I felt the same for all the questions. I was then asked if I needed to change anything. Of course I don't. I was then told that it appears I "reacted" to the question of "are you involved in any criminal activity?" I was flabbergasted. I said nope, I told you everything.(insert history) At this point, the examiner said, "You're a liar. Thats why we had the problems at the start of the test.... because you are purposely trying to hide something you dont want us to find out. "What is it?" I sat and thought... there is nothing. So I said, "there is nothing more." Then I was given "one more chance" The examiner finally said, "ok. fine. I think you are hiding something and that's what my report is going to say. My supervisor will go over it, but he never changes what I find" But then he/she said something that confused me more, he said, "This doesnt mean you fail. You still need to stay in contact with your background investigator" blah blah blah. (So I didn't fail? What? I thought I "reacted" to something. Doesnt that mean a Fail?) Then he/she made some off-color remark about "only helping those that can be honest and tell the truth" OK. Seriously? I am so confused. Are these strong-arm tactics an examiner uses? Is it something they do to knock you off-guard or something? Was it purporely done to make me worry? So that I run to my investigator and confess some random sins? I have never felt such anger and resentment during a polygraph. I honestly felt that I was under attack. I know this is LONG, and I apologize, but some professional opinions would really help. This has just left me completely confused about everything. Thanks in advance, guys. Sincerly, Confused.
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