posted 01-12-2009 09:01 AM            

If you are doing pre-employment testing (which this state does not)I feel you have such an advantage over us criminal testers. The examinee wants the job, can not walk out and if he/she does--there is no job.

Criminal testing, on the other hand, we are at their mercy. We want to run the test becuase we beleive it will help the case. We beleive that if the person fails we have a better shot at a confession then a regular investigator. What is expected out of me as an examiner is something we spoke about before (confession vs. NDI/DI).

However, subjects control me sometimes--for example, I let them know the test is two hours during my pre-test speech. Alot of people say "two hours?" no, I dont think so, I don't have time for that. Then obviously they never show again. The detective does not tell them its two hours, I guess, when they schedule them, or ask them for the test.

I also have been told after a chart or two..."this is bullshit", "I'll give you fifteen more minutes." "This hurts, you make me feel like a criminal, this is the last one." Or, "I'll do one more chart for you guys, then I'm leaving." Or "I'm doing you guys a favor, one more chart, then I am outta here"

In the academy they told us just say "I am giving you a chance to prove yourself." Anyone else still frustrated by no shows and these type comments.

I am not saying pre-employment is easier to those examiners that do that, I just am a little jealous on that one issue....

posted 01-12-2009 11:44 AM         

I disagree. We are not at the mercy of a suspect. If you are in your polygraph suite and you are not in control, you need to get out of the room. The suspect does not control or manipulate me or the examination. I am in charge. Period.

On the other hand, I do agree that investigators do make things harder on us by offering the suspect a polygraph without fully informing them with all the details including the time requirement.

Last week, I had two detectives bring in a suspect on a double homicide who was "willing" to take the exam. As soon as I explained that the process was completely voluntary, he dashed out of the room like his hair was on fire.

When you have a suspect who is using every trick in the book to try to get the polygraph over with, I would say you need to take a closer look at this one.

Perhaps some in service training for your detectives might make your job a little easier.

posted 01-13-2009 12:17 AM            

No shows have always been a problem with me. The good news is that if I am not working, I get paid to wait for the appointment.

posted 01-21-2009 08:12 PM            

I agree with Ted, you have to set the atmosphere in the poly room. Although I have had many "no-shows" over the years in criminal tests, I have never had someone leave my polygraph room until I was ready to let them go.

You are very much in control, it's your polygraph. They either take it or they don't.