Quote from: George W. Maschke on Sep 17, 2005, 12:20 PMJohn,
I wouldn't brand Algol a "sicko" based on the limited information he provided. For example, a highschool junior who dates a freshman might in some jurisdictions become a statutory rapist by his or her senior year. But by contemporary American sexual mores, such a person wouldn't be considered a "sicko."
Algol,
By the same token, while there are many legitimate criticisms to be made of polygraph practice, including those associated with post-conviction sex offender "testing," I wouldn't brand all polygraphers as "sickos," either. That's an ad hominem attack that does little to further discussion.

Quote from: dimas on Sep 16, 2005, 03:06 PM
Well in all reality the reason they DON'T check who he is living with is because they (probation officer and polygrapher) have a false sense of security and/or believe that the polygraph would catch this guy if something were not right.
The polygraph is a great tool, unfortunately to many it becomes the ONLY tool.
Quote from: retcopper on Sep 16, 2005, 12:55 PMJohnn:
We agree on somehting. Also, rather than rely on the polygraph I can't believe no one checks on who he is living with.
Quote from: Algol on Sep 16, 2005, 07:43 AMI have to take polys as part of my S.O. treatment. Most of the time I pass even though I have to lie on about half the questions.
I married my victim when I got out. I am not suppose to have any contact with her, even though she was over 18 when I got out of prison.
I use to meditate a lot in prison. And I can go into a meditative state fairly quickly.
Occasionally I will fail a question. It seems to be random. One time I failed the question "Have I had any contact with my victim?" When I failed, the polygrapher would try to give me an out like "maybe a postcard or accidently got her on the phone". I ALWAYS say no to those "outs".
When my P.O. questioned me about it. I just said "well, i am glad it is a question that you can check up on rather than something I cant prove or disprove like am I having thoughts of molesting children". When he called her, she just said "Are you crazy! He MOLESTED me, I would never talk to him!" This plays directly into their dysfunctional belief system and so I was cleared.
Sometimes I meditate before going on a poly. It seems to help. I also remind myself that the correct answer is the one that doesnt get me in trouble. I will say to myself "The correct answer is" followed by a verbal "yes" or "no" that is the desired answer. I have studied a lot of philosophies so I know that there is no real truth on these type of questions anyway. I also remind myself that quantum mechanics suggest that there are alternate pasts that can result in this current moment. So truth about the past is only probalistic. Quantum equations work as well backwards as well as forward through the time line.
Sometimes I use this limerick to help me get in the mood before the test: (not sure about correct punctuation)
Schroedinger's cats' a mystery cat, he illustrates the laws
The complicated things he does have no apparent cause
He baffles the determinist and drives them to despair
For when they try and pin him down, the quantum cats' not there.
I have read about other techniques, but this seems to work well for me.
Hope this helps someone. These polygraphers are the real sickos.