My overall experience was generally positive as I completed a CI polygraph recently at a government intelligence facility.  The one thing that surprised me is that I was accused of "using countermeasures."  I didn't even know what countermeasures were until I looked them up after I arrived home.  Before the test, I was advised to be aware of my breathing. As a result, I tried to be aware of my breathing and take even breaths during each question.  After the first test, I was advised to "do myself a favor" and breathe normally.  I was a little shocked as I was supposed to be "aware" of my breathing.  At the end of the testing, the examiner informed me that he knew that I had deployed "countermeasures" but that I had eventually passed after ignoring my breathing patterns.  To all polygraph examiners that may be reading this thread - NOT ALL applicants are using "countermeasures" especially after we are directed to be aware of our breathing. It is unfortunate that the examiner believes this about me... and that it is a matter of record at the agency (and is likely in the examiner's report).  I love my country... and the allegation about the "countermeasures" simply isn't true about my exam.

Doug,
I had NO idea what in the hell the examiner was talking about. If the examiner thought that I was using these countermeasures I am not sure why I was permitted to "pass."  I wasn't subjected to any interrogation type questioning and it was all very cordial for the most part. I never felt disrespected or threatened, but when I was accused of trying to use these countermeasures, I was, admittedly offended.

Doug Williams wrote on Jul 26^th, 2018 at 9:13pm:

Hello John,

This CI polygraph was part of a pre-employment polygraph with a well-known intelligence agency within the last 90 days or so.  

The whole concept of being accused of these "countermeasures" has been bothering me ever since. There would have been no reason for me to use countermeasures on a CI polygraph unless I really was a spy! I have never even held a security clearance before and have never had access to any classified information to misbehave with (and never would).

In my case, I was instructed to pay attention to my breathing.  That was the reason that I got into "trouble." I immediately discontinued any attention to breathing when it was brought to my attention.  I got the impression that the examiner automatically assumed that I knew a great deal about the polygraph process, which was NOT the case.

I never knew that there was this much controversy about the polygraph test.  Do you all think that the intelligence community will continue to require polygraphs for the foreseeable future?

Despite the fact that people can learn to "pass" the polygraph, and innocent people are increasingly becoming victimized by it, it somehow persists.

The government has conceded to the fact that you can mentally prepare yourself to "pass" a polygraph by prosecuting @DougWilliams_PG. 

I'll bet the abuse of innocent people will be its ultimate downfall. Congress enacted the Employee Polygraph Protection Act in 1988 explicitly to prohibit abuse by polygraph. Here we are 30 years later, and the polygraph lobby controls Congress. By allowing the government an exemption to the Law, they have essentially opened the door to institutionalized fraud, waste, and pernicious abuse. It is truly unconscionable, but I have to believe that someone with a conscious is starting to pay attention.

#StopPolygraphAbuse
#EPPAforAll
@sammorter