I am takin my poly for police department X in a week. I had a couple of questions that I would greatly appreciate responses to.
1) When employing countermeasures to control questions, do you need to induce a response to all/the majority of control questions, or just a select few to give the polygrapher the reaction he wants?
2) How common are pneumatic seat cushions (for detecting countermeasures)? Do they really detect the sphincter contraction or are they just a deterrent from using it?
3) The rate of applicants disqualified by the poly varies greatly. I've heard anywhere from 30-50%. In your opinion, what is the biggest contributor to disqualifications- damaging admissions or the actual readings of the chart that 'indicate deception?' In other words, do polygraphers generally rely more on their impression of the applicant and the admissions they make or the actual readings of the chart?
4) Are all polygraphers awkward, socially unadjusted people? My (admittedly limited) experience observing them would indicate so. I tend to think that the kind of person who would even want to do something like that for a career would be a little different. What do you guys think?
I would greatly appreciate any feedback from anyone who has any experience with polygraphs. I have never taken one but I imagine that withing six months I will be an expert with how many departments I am applying for.
Double post! It looked as if it wasn't going to post my thread so I did it over. Sorry, ignore this and please respond to the other.
I am in the same boat as you are, Lawrence. I will be taking my polygraph in a week or so. I would like to know the answers to those questions also. I would greatly appreciate it if you will post your polygraph experience and results so that I will have a clearer picture of what to expect. I will do the same.
Lawrence,
With regard to your questions:
1) It would be beneficial to produce responses to as many "control" questions as you clearly recognize as such.
2) I don't know what percentage of polygraph operators are using seat pads (or other sensors) in an attempt to detect and/or deter countermeasures. No polygrapher has yet demonstrated the ability to reliably detect the anal sphincter muscle contraction applied as a countermeasure using such devices. Nonetheless, you might wish to consider mental countermeasures or tongue biting instead.
3) I don't know to what extent polygraphers rely on their impressions of the subject as opposed to their polygraph charts. There is essentially no research on this subject. And even if there was, one might reasonably expect wide variation amongst examiners and agencies.
4) I would not assume that all, or even most, polygraphers are "awkward, socially unadjusted people." (I suspect the opposite is true, though it may not always be evident in the polygraph suite.)
Good luck on your polygraph examination(s). Please consider posting again later to let us know how it/they turn out.