Like many of you, I had a polygraph coming up and I read up and did my due diligence.

I found this site and discovered all of the baloney and voodoo science that goes into the polygraph. Then, I downloaded the pdf "The Lie Behind The Lie Detector" and read the chapters on countermeasures a few times.

I practiced the recommended breathing pattern, it's not hard since it is considered the "norm" for breathing.

Then, the fateful day came. I got almost no sleep due to nervousness but made sure I had a decent breakfast. Arriving early, as the book recommended, I tried to put on a good impression. I also wore professional clothing to complete the look.

Reading about how guilt-free people are confident and sure of themselves, which I naturally am, I made doubly sure to smile and give a firm handshake. First impressions are last impressions, after all.

I read a pre-printed list of questions, answered appropriately as was needed. The examiner tried to get me to confess to a few things, but I held my ground - make no additional admissions! Then, I was strapped into the chair.

For the love of God, I couldn't believe how uncomfortable that chair is! I think it is purposefully designed to hurt your back and cause you to tense up. What a piece of garbage.

Anyways, I didn't employ countermeasures in the traditional sense as I wasn't sure what questions were control. However, I did recognize the relevant questions and controlled my breathing very carefully. Breathe in for three seconds, breath out for three seconds. No deviation.

Also, I barely paid attention to the questions. I vaguely heard them but as soon as I answered I controlled my breathing and thought about the drive home, or what I was going to do later, or just daydream. Anything to avoid getting nervous and raising my heart rate.

After it was all said and done, the examiner reported that I passed with no problem. I left walking an inch taller, fully knowing the lie detector is just a machine, and any cool-headed person can beat it.

I do think that it is the innocent persons who are at a disadvantage. I've been around the block. From drugs to violence, I've been there. Since have been in those situations where tensions are high and adrenaline is flowing, the polygraph just isn't in the same league as getting into an altercation, for example.

An "innocent" person, however, is less likely to have been into a bunch of fights, to have been arrested and lied to the cops about their involvement ("I didn't see nothing, officer!"). They don't have the experience of lying under pressure, essentially, and it is those persons who are most likely to react under the pressure of certain disqualifying questions.

I hope my experience helps someone. If there is one thing to take away from this, it is that knowledge is power, and you CAN beat the machine.

I also lied and passed the FBI polygraph. What a joke.  I've engaged in so many minor crimes (theft, vandalism, prostitution, drunk driving,) but there was no way in hell I was going to spill my guts to the FBI.  And there is no way there will never find out about my pass dirty deeds because there is no record of them.  I sat right there and lied to the FBI agent with no problem. I actually used my own CM method of just thinking of exciting things on every poly question so that I would have a constant heightened reaction.  The polygrapher can chalk up these spiked charts to applicant nervousness.  No question spiked any more than any others.  I was thinking about all the bad and illegal things I've done during the poly but I just laughed in my mind because I knew the poly couldn't read my mind.  So I like.   
"have you ever committed a crime for which you weren't caught?".  ha ha ha.  I answered "no" so calmly and with no problem.  Do you know how many times I've paid for sex and not been caught?  Ha!  The FBI hired me but I turned them down.  I lied to the FBI and passed their poly.  So easy.  The polygraph is a joke.

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You don't have to believe me if you don't want to, but I'm dead serious.  I went through the process during a hiring freeze so by the time I went though the long security processing, the even longer adjudication, and the waiting for an EOD because of the freeze, I accepted another job and moved on.  But I flat out lied to the polygrapher and denied every little stupid interrogation tactic that was used to try to force a confession out of me.  They obviously do this to everyone, accuse you of stuff and see if you confess. Polygraphers have to be getting tired of this same old dog and pony show with every applicant. 

Keep your cool everyone, and beat the poly!

Ok,  So do you now work for the FBI?

You cannot detect an adrenaline rush, and you will sit there fat, dumb, and happy (and sanctimonious) all day long. It is a trivial matter to accomplish. But, since you bring up some purported ability to detect countermeasures, step up to the plate and take the challenge. Put your money where your mouth is.

To pontificate also means to speak in dogmatic or inflexible terms. 

Some of this on both sides, so I guess it's fair and balanced.

Fair Chance, 

Watch it all the time.  And really like Bill.  I know I should be ashamed, but...............

Chris,

As a forum administrator with access to log files, I can assure you that the great majority of posts are indeed by different individuals. While many of the participants here are college educated, it's not unusual to encounter posts with less than stellar spelling and/or grammar. It should also be noted that this forum is moderated. (See our posting policy.)

Nonetheless, in the ten years that this forum has been active, we have experienced a trolling campaign, sock puppetry, and disinformation by polygraphers. But such behavior is not the norm.

If you continue reading (you can use the advanced search function to look for posts on topics of interest), I think you'll find a diversity of views and experiences.