I am going through a Domestic Deferred Sentencing Program. I had been ordered to do a Polygraph test. I went to the polygrapher who the court reccomended and is licensed
in my state. They did the pre-test interview and was then hooked up to the computerized model polygraph machine. After attempting to take the test (same question) 3 different times, the polygrapher stated to me that I have the largest heart murmur they had ever seen and that it causes too much interference in the reading and I am one of a few that can not take a polygraph test. The line (heart) on the graph was going off the chart but down not up.
After a week and a half my P.O. stated that they have a different polygrapher that states that he can read a persons polygraph chart that has this large of a heart murmur. And my P.O. stated that I must obtain a letter from a doctor stating that I have a HEART MURMUR and that it could be detramental to my health to take a poly test. (I don't think any doctor would do this). Each polygraph test will cost me $250.00.
Can any one tell me about the Ploygraph test and heart murmurs?
To the best of my knowledge, no information is available about the effects of heart murmurs (or any other health condition) on polygraph "tests." In a June 2001 letter (http://antipolygraph.org/articles/article-020.shtml) to Department of Energy Office of Counterintelligence chief Michael J. Waguespack, Dr. Alan P. Zelicoff, a senior scientist with the Center for National Security and Arms Control at Sandia National Laboratories wrote:
QuoteAs the technical staff at the Labs pointed out repeatedly during the October 1999 DOE Polygraph Hearings and subsequently to [Department of Defense Polygraph Institute research division chief] Dr. Andrew Ryan and [DOE polygraph program chief] Mr. David Renzelman, there are no scientific studies that identify medical conditions of relevance to the polygraph.... Also, there are no guidelines, textbook chapters, or review articles in any medical, psychology or psychiatry journal that describe medical contra-indications to the polygraph. I have asked both Dr. Ryan and Mr. Renzelman to provide one - just one - such publication, and they have been unable to do so.
AntiPolygraph.org has requested under the Freedom of Information Act (http://antipolygraph.org/foia/foia-010.shtml) a copy of the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute's handbook for polygraph examiners, which includes "quality control" procedures. Perhaps that document has something to say about medical conditions affecting polygraphy, but DoDPI's parent agency has not yet released it.
You need a lawyer. It would appear that you have lived up to your conditions of probation, but only a lawyer can tell you whether or not your PO is exceeding his authority in demanding you submit (and pay for) a physical exam to prove an assertion made by your polygrapher. It would certainly appear from here that he is.
Yes, the more I think about it, the more I am convinced you definetely need an advocate. Have a lawyer come with you to your next PO meeting, or have him arrange an appointment where all three of you can sit down and discuss this. It seems absurd that you would be forced by the court to submit to and pay for a medical exam because of something a court-recommended polygrapher asserted.
If you have to, it might come down to going in front of a judge, so you really need a lawyer for that.
Quotethe polygrapher stated to me that I have the largest heart murmur they had ever seen and that it causes too much interference in the reading
BT/Ishi
I have to wonder about this polygraphers intelligence. Do they cover EKG tracing interpretation in polygrapher school? I am not sure how much time medical students and professionals spend studying EKG reading. But with only 8-10 weeks of poly U, I can't imagine them being able to make a diagnosis of a heart murmur.
Ishi, you need to see your doctor to confirm the heart murmur and document it. Don't let the polygrapher make medical diagnosis without the medical background. As Beech Trees stated, You need to get a lawyer
NOW to protect your interests
Fred F. ;)