I just had a bad (confusing?) experience with a polygraph while applying to a law enforcement agency in the US.  I'm still hoping to get the job, so I'll try to be as general as possible.

I'm in my early twenties, have a MS in Criminal Justice and knew I wanted to go into the Police since a young age.  As such I have NEVER done drugs, never stolen anything, etc.  I knew there were ways to "trick" polygraphs from movies, etc. but I didn't look any of them up because I also believed an honest person would fly through.

I answered all the questions asked of me during the pre-interview.  I responded to the "worst thing you've ever done" by saying I had downloaded music in my youth (who hasn't?).  There were other basic questions and chit-chat, I felt comfortable.  He adjusted the machinery and off we went.  The cuff was too tight (I have broken bloodvessels on my arm), but I didn't complain.  Whatever.

We finished the test and I was told to write down on a piece of paper how many songs I had downloaded.  I did.  The polygrapher told me he'd be back in a bit.  I waited 20 minutes alone in a room and he comes back and informs me that "[He] and the other reviewers found problems with two questions."

The two things they "found problems with" are MAJOR CRIMES.  Things no sane person would do and then apply for a job as a cop.  I wasn't told I failed the test, but that I failed those specific questions.  I asked what this meant.  I was told I'd hear back in 30 days and that the usual outcome is a second test.

Now, I told the truth about EVERYTHING.  I've never done anything bad, so I had no need to lie.

He told me that in order to "prepare for the second test" that I should talk to him about whatever was bothering me during those two questions that he asked (and I "failed").  Again, they were things that if you do, you get caught and go to jail.  I told him I had absolutely no idea why those would "spike" for me.

So, did I "fail" the test?  Did he just tell me those questions "failed" to see if I'd admit to things after the fact?  I "passed" all the questions about stealing, drug use, etc. apparently, so I have no idea what's actually going on.  I don't know if I should contest it or just sit back and see what happens.  Anyone had a similar experience?  I'm also kinda worried now about having written down that I downloaded music...

The stories on here continue to amaze me. I am uneducated when it comes to polygraph testing. Or I guess I should say my education is limited given the fact that I have only been doing research on these tests for about a week now. I recently failed a test when I was being 100% honest. 

Check my thread on here. Though my situation is entirely different from yours, the moderators and senior members replied to me with a lot of useful information and various links to further educate you... Here is the link...

Sorry to hear about your bad experience!

https://antipolygraph.org/cgi-bin/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1238225557