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Posted by George W. Maschke
- Jan 13, 2002, 12:26 PMQuote from: Danny on Jan 12, 2002, 04:53 PM
I recently underwent a polygraph for a law enforcement agency and apparently I was hiding something, which was news to me.
The examiner didn't explain how the machine worked or calibrate the machine to see what one of my lies looks like?
Is this a valid test?
Danny,
Your asking whether your polygraph "test" was valid is rather like asking if your tarot card reading was valid. Both are without validity, even if conducted by the book.
While it is standard procedure for polygraphers to provide during the pre-test interview an explanation of how the polygraph instrument works and how the "test" will be conducted, the textbook explanation that polygraphers provide to the examinee is necessarily false and misleading, as the "test" depends on the examinee's ignorance and fear.
It is also standard procedure for polygraphers to conduct an initial "stimulation test" or "stim test" during which they pretend to be "calibrating the instrument" so that they will know what the subject's "lie response" looks like. This, too, is a fraudulent charade and is merely designed to instill fear of the polygraph in the examinee.
For further reading on the above points, see Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for further reading. (Chapter 4 explains how to pass these pseudoscientific "tests.")
I think you should definitely appeal your polygrapher's opinion, and you'll find tips for doing so in Chapter 5 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.
Posted by Fred F.
- Jan 12, 2002, 11:18 PMDanny,
As I stated in the last post
You need to wait and see what happens. If they are going to DQ you, you will know soon. Then you can plan your appellate process and carry it out
Good Luck
Fred F.
As I stated in the last post
Quote As for an appeal on those grounds, depending on what that
departments polygraph policy says regarding explanation of the
test, you may indeed get a second chance. If you signed a
release of liability before you took the test, this may negate
everything as this gives the polygrapher carte blanche to
determine the outcome of the "test" and frees them from any
errors in protocol.
You need to wait and see what happens. If they are going to DQ you, you will know soon. Then you can plan your appellate process and carry it out
Good Luck
Fred F.
Posted by Danny
- Jan 12, 2002, 10:48 PMShould I complain to the department who arranged my polygraph as it wasn't carried out in the propeer manner?
Posted by Fred F.
- Jan 12, 2002, 10:46 PMQuote from: Danny on Jan 12, 2002, 05:34 PMDanny,
So, they are have to calibrate the machine and tell you how it works?
Should I appeal on this?
As TheRock alludes to above, You have at best a "coin flip" chance of passing a polygraph. There is not any calibration of a polygraph that I am aware of as most polygraphs today are computer based.
Many Polygraphers will do an "accuracy" demo by showing you how your breathing and blood pressure change when you "lie" about the number you have chosen, although when I took my last poly I wasn't given the "honor" of having that demo done.
You need to download and read The Lie Behind The Lie Detector from the site. The only way to be successful at a polygraph examination is to GET EDUCATED. You need to see how you have been lied to by the examiner and how you can be one step ahead for your next polygraph. Read some of the personal statements of people who have lived the nightmare of failing government polygraphs and labeled spies, narco traffickers, and double agents.
As for an appeal on those grounds, depending on what that departments polygraph policy says regarding explanation of the test, you may indeed get a second chance. If you signed a release of liability before you took the test, this may negate everything as this gives the polygrapher carte blanche to determine the outcome of the "test" and frees them from any errors in protocol.
Good Luck and GET EDUCATED.... KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!!
Fred F.
Posted by therock
- Jan 12, 2002, 09:46 PMRepeat what you just said it doesn't make sense
Posted by Danny
- Jan 12, 2002, 05:34 PMSo, they are have to calibrate the machine and tell you how it works?
Should I appeal on this?
Should I appeal on this?
Posted by therock
- Jan 12, 2002, 05:29 PMThe test is not valid, even if one tells the truth they have a 50/50 shot of failing, the only way to ensure passing is by employing countermeasures all described in the LIE BEHIND THE LIE DETECTOR, which can be downloaded on this site, pay close attention to chapters 3 and 4, they are very important, and you'll be able to answer your question, there are 2 things that might have happned, either the test is inconclusive, because you were telling the truth or the polygrapher was trying to get an admission from ya, remember it's an interrogation, I was told I came up fuzzy on one question, but wound up passing the poly so there you go, don't make admissions except minor ones, but you need to educate yourself by researching.
Posted by Danny
- Jan 12, 2002, 04:53 PMI recently underwent a polygraph for a law enforcement agency and apparently I was hiding something, which was news to me.
The examiner didn't explain how the machine worked or calibrate the machine to see what one of my lies looks like?
Is this a valid test?
Thankyou
The examiner didn't explain how the machine worked or calibrate the machine to see what one of my lies looks like?
Is this a valid test?
Thankyou