Like Mark, I have received information suggesting that for current government employees, it might not be the best idea to follow our original advice and skip any “post-test” interrogation.
In certain situations (DOE, DoD), statistics appear to indicate that those who make no-significant admissions during the polygraph are "passed" regardless of how their charts should be scored in polygraph doctrine. Therefore, current employees at these agencies might be better off not bolting from a “post-test interview,” as this may be reported as "failure to submit to the polygraph" by the examiner. Still, those who remain for the “post-test interview” should be extremely careful.
More info on what type of behavior that polygraphers view as truthful can be found in the
DoDPI Interview and Interrogation Handbook. We also plan to cover this area in the 2nd edition of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, which we anticipate will be available some time this summer.
In pre-employment processes, it appears that applicants (at least for most federal agencies) are not being permitted to "explain away" a deceptive chart. Once an examinee's chart is scored as "deceptive," the employment application is nearly always terminated. One wonders why "post-test" interrogations are still conducted even when those who participate and make no admissions are still rejected.
In this situation, there is nothing to gain by remaining. Still, if we had advised in
The Lie Behind the Lie Detector to immediately bolt from the room upon being called deceptive, polygraphers could find out who has read the book by simply announcing everyone deceptive and looking to see who leaves.
Therefore, one must be
extremely tactful in this situation. I suggest staying for at least the start of the post-test "interview." Be sure to remember one thing.
Any attempt to explain a reaction to a relevant question may be shaped by the polygrapher into a false admission. If the polygrapher backs you into a corner of the room and begins to rephrase and repeat the same questions
ad nauseam, one should not "take any bait" by responding to individual questions. Instead, counter him with general denials (i.e. "At no time have I ever used or sold illegal drugs"). If he keeps at you, try to get him to bring the interrogation to an end (perhaps by commenting "I've already told you that I have never used or sold illegal drugs--I have nothing else to say"). If he still keeps at you, politely end the interview. Whatever you do, do not get into a conversation with him and attempt to explain the "deceptive" chart.