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Just another example of a polygraphic artist claiming he can tell you are lying by measuring fluctuations in your blood pressure-breathing pattern-perspiration.  Maybe he could divined your "life's storty" by examining a stool sample from you.

Polygraphers deny it vehemently, but the preemployment polygraph is nothing more than a fishing expedition/interrogation disguised as a scientific test for truthfulness.  Their whole goal is to see "what they can get out of upi?"  Their first goal is to get you to BELIEVE their "crystal ball" can tell if you are a big fibber.  Or they tell you it can see if you are troubled BY YOUR ANSWER.  To be honest, it absolutely CAN tell if you troubled.  It just can't tell WHY.  Though they will tell you in not uncertain terms that you MUST be bothered by your answer or the quesition, so you must "PURGE YOUR SOUL", so you feel better (if not all warm and fuzzy).  With all the "pop" cultural mystique surrounding the polygraph, people tend to fall for it.  It IS a very clever interrogation technique.  I must admit.

Lucky for you, some LE agencies no longer use the polygraph.  Had you applied for a federal position at the FBI/CIA/NSA/DIA you really would be screwed as a failed polygraph at one of those agencies will disqualify you at the others.

Share your experience with family, friends, and especially those you know who might end up needing to submit to a polygraphic interrogation.

TC

jstwnhngt wrote on May 4^th, 2009 at 7:28pm:


At this point, you'll want to send a registered letter to the sheriff's office affirming that you told the truth during your polygraph examination. You may want to additionally request a "re-test" and that your letter be included with any information about your polygraph results that the sheriff's office may share with any other law enforcement agencies. Because some agencies do have regional information-sharing arrangements regarding applicants, it's possible that your polygraph results will hurt your chances of employment with other agencies near you.

That said, many law enforcement applicants who have failed a polygraph with a particular agency have gone on to find employment with other agencies -- even ones with a polygraph requirement. Before your next polygraph (should you be required to take one), you'll want to educate yourself about polygraphy and learn what can be done to mitigate the risk of another false positive outcome. A good place to start would be our free book, The Lie Behind the Lie Detector (1 mb PDF).