I've taken seven polygraphs in my life. All of them for LEO positions. I have passed all polygraphs except the two I have taken with CBP (3 years apart). All of the examiners use the same software and technique. They all use the same physical equipment. However, some how, miraculously, I fail CBP and pass all others without even a question of deception? The CBP examiner claims I lied about "serious crimes" and "drug usage". Both times with CBP I was accused of lying about those same questions but never when asked those questions with other departments. What could CBP possibly be doing differently that they show readings there and no one else does?

Most importantly, can someone knowledgeable explain this strange behavior for me please-

During my recent CBP polygraph the examiner asked me seven series of questions. After each series they released the cuff and then came over to me and completely adjusted the pneumograph tubes to different areas. At one point both tubes were on top of each other very high up by my breasts. Why would they keep moving the tubes after each series of questions then say I failed? They also told me to not answer the questions verbally at one point and to only "nod my head yes or no". They said they would be watching me and could see the subtle movements but in me peripheral vision I could see every time that they were only looking at the monitor and not me. What's up with that? 

Then finally, at one point the lead of one of the pneumograph tubes "broke" and I was told to sit outside while they fixed it. This happened on both of my CBP polys only. Both times they moved the tubes constantly and something "broke" at some point. What the heck?

Michelle, 

Allow me to interject some perspective...

Polygraph "testing," at its very best, is a crapshoot. 

The result is nothing more than the examiner's semi-educated guess.

As for the examiner's antics and accusations that occur in the polygraph suite, it's all theater -- in my opinion.

I've been a member of the American Polygraph Association since 2004, and have tried repeatedly to bring enlightenment and reason to the APA's political machine. All to little avail. 

As Doug Williams has so succinctly pointed out, polygraph "testing" can be largely about money. I agree. 

But that's just my opinion, based on 15+ years of experience and observation.

As an aside, it's very interesting... Whenever I post on this site I soon get a flurry of inquiries requesting special "help." 

I find the timing to be most queer.

Thus far, not one such needy individual has been able to pass my authenticity test.

Strange, no?

Quote:


CBP polygraph operators may be under pressure to produce pass rates that track with the organizational average of about 1:3. A CBP polygraph operator who passed more than this ratio might face unwelcome scrutiny.

In addition, with respect to your second CBP polygraph, the safest thing for your polygraph operator to do was to confirm the result of your prior CBP polygraph.

Note that while CBP does hire contractors to perform polygraph interrogations, who are handsomely paid for conducting this pseudoscientific ritual, not all CBP polygraph operators are contractors. Many are federal employees.

Quote:


It is not normal to have to adjust the pneumograph tubes after each chart collection, and I don't know what could account for this. You'll find the federal polygraph school's instructions for placement of pneumograph tubes at pages 4-6 of the document, Attachment and Placement of Polygraph Instrument Recording Sensors.

Quote:


This is the so-called "Silent Answer Test" that is sometimes employed when the polygraph operator suspects that the subject is employing polygraph countermeasures. We address it at p. 165 of the 5th edition of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector:

Quote:


You also ask:

Quote:


It is unusual for a pneumograph tube (most likely the bead chain) to break during any particular polygraph session. It is even more strange that this occurred during both of your CBP polygraph interrogations.

Quote:

The idea of telling you to nod your head while answering could also have nefarious purposes. Even with the "silent answer test," instructing you to make physical movements when answering questions is not supported in any polygraph doctrine that I am familiar with. 

But your attitude is correct. With the exception of Baltimore City PD, it's tough to think of a less desirable place to work in law enforcement than CBP. I'd suggest that you focus on improving your CV and apply with agencies that offer more intellectually stimulating work. Preferably, those that do not force applicants to submit to this degrading pseudoscientific ritual. 

CBP's pre-employment polygraph screening technique is called the Test for Espionage, Sabotage, and Corruption (TES-C). You'll find documentation, including the questions asked, here:

https://antipolygraph.org/blog/2018/06/22/u-s-customs-and-border-protection-poly...

I forget to add.  Is it standard for all the examiners to ask if we're willing to come back for another test to everyone when they're told that they failed?

Thank you for the reply. I asked that because I'm trying to figure out how to go about it in a few years if I do decide to go through the process again. 

George W. Maschke wrote on Dec 24^th, 2019 at 10:28am:

anotherguest,

As you'll note at page 128 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, we advise everyone against applying for any federal position that requires a pre-employment polygraph "test."

I think one is better off having just one failed polygraph on one's record than two.

For those who choose to ignore this advice, while I think applicants for positions of public trust have an ethical duty to answer relevant questions truthfully, they are under no obligation to volunteer irrelevant information, and are wise not to do so.

Bear in mind, however, that anything you've previously told your CBP polygraph operator is now a matter of record.