I have been placed on probation for a year for a minor misdemeanor offense. I was shocked to find that they insist on "maintenance polygraphs" in the state of Texas and while we all know that polygraphs aren't really admissable in court anymore, I fail to understand why it is that they insist that probationers take polygraph exams.  My examination took place several weeks ago and  I employed countermeasures along with my permanent mindset that  polygraphy is b/s, I was amazed that the ploygrapher played so dumb when questioned. Anyway, I employed the countermeasures of controlled breathing and tightening the anal sphincter and the chart lines were even and consistent all the way across with no jumps but the polygrapher didn't say I passed or failed, he just said, "well, you didn't do so well."  Aside from the fact that I had a toothache at the time and had had very little sleep the night before and informed the polygrapher of this at the time, he proceeded anyway saying that he'd take that into  consideration.  The test proceeded and my chart lines were even and consistent all the way across. Neither my probation officer nor therapist I'm required to see had recieved the "results" in a timely manner nor have I ever seen any of those scored results myself.  Am I to assume that the results were inconclusive? OR Do they just take the word of the examiner as to pass or fail without producing the actual chart and scores?  I remain dazed and confused with all this and MUST take two more examinations before my probation expires next year, one of which I shall have to pay for. What happens if I refuse to take the examination, especially if it is one I'm forced to pay for despite the fact that I'm hurting financially anyway?

The other thing is that during the examination, while employing countermeasures, I could see that the polygrapher was shaking is head a couple of times and pumped up the arm cuff tighter.  Again, am I to assume that even though there were no chart line jumps and the entire chart lines were even an consistent all the way across, that it was really inconclusive or that the polygrapher, aside from being a true liar himself, is really the deceptive one to my probation officer and therapist?  Can anyone  provide any useful feedback regarding this ongoing ordeal?

It is impossible to say, based on the account you provided, whether your polygrapher scored your polygraph chart as "deception indicated," "no deception indicated," or "inconclusive." However, if you did not receive a post-test interrogation, then it seems likely that you either passed or that your results were at worst deemed inconclusive.

Some of the things you stated in your account strike me as odd. To begin with, you wrote:

Quote:


Did you actually ask your polygrapher about the difference between relevant and "control" questions? Unless one is planning on using the complete honesty approach outlined in Chapter 4 of [url]The Lie Behind the Lie Detector[/url], it is highly unwise to ask such a question of one's polygrapher. It immediately alerts the polygrapher to the fact that one knows more than he/she would like one to know about polygraphy, and will put the polygrapher on heightened alert for countermeasures attempts.

You also wrote:

Quote:


It seems unusual that your polygrapher showed you your complete charts so that you could make this observation. To be effective, polygraph countermeasures must produce augmented physiological responses to the "control" questions. What specific countermeasure(s) did you employ?

I do not know what the legal ramifications would be if you were to refuse the remaining two polygraph interrogations to which you are required to submit during the period of your probation. I suspect that the cost(s) of refusal (whether in cash or in kind) would be greater than the polygrapher's fee. You might want to check with a lawyer on this point.

dimas,

You wrote in part:
Quote:

Could you explain how you reached this conclusion?