What do you think???

[Anonymous]

I took my poly earlier this week with a local PD and I am not sure how I did.

The exam started with 5 "calibration" questions followed by 3 rounds of 16 questions asked in random order. As near as I could tell, there was only one discernible control question.

By the end of it, the examiner asked what I thought I reacted to. Naturally, I said the control which I manipulated and he agreed showed a reaction. But he said there was also a reaction to a drug-related question which I know I absolutely did not lie on. I said the only thing I could think that would cause a reaction was an argument about drug issues I had earlier in the week (that was the most innocuous thing I could think of without risking further interrogation). The examiner asked me to write that down and sign it. He said he would forward the signed document to my BI and it was up to him on how to proceed and that a retest may be necessary.

Should I take the initiative and call my BI directly and tell him the results of my poly, or wait for him to call me with a decision? Any thought on how this will turn out for me? I am at my wit's end with these polygraph's. If I am being accused of lying for this, I know the machines are not doing what they should be doing.

[bushido71]

I'm no expert, but it could go either way from what you've said. It does not look good that there was any kind of "post-test" discussion. Typically, at least according to TLBTLD, that is a sign that you did not pass. But it seems to be counterbalanced by the fact that your examiner suggested that a retest may be required. That would seem to indicate an "inconclusive" result which is certainly better than failing. It also helps that you had a reasonable excuse for showing the reaction that you did. It probably boils down to how you sold the story to the examiner and whether or not he believed you.

George or some of the other more experienced users may have a more educated viewpoint on your results. Either way, best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply. I don't know if I would necessarily qualify the end of the test as any kind of interrogation. The examiner never left the room to "check the charts" or speak to his "supervisor." There was no good cop-bad cop. He showed me the charts throughout the exam. Somewhere in the middle, he asked what questions I was thinking about. I said the control question. He said good, but that there were also a couple of other questions I showed reactions to. After the last round, he asked me about the one drug-related question and I gave him my reasoning for having a reaction. The examiner was pleasant throughout the entire process and asked how I thought I did. I told him I knew I did well and was extremely confident.

I don't know how the computerized systems work, but he did seem to rely pretty heavily on its findings. He never indicated that he thought I was lying about the question, only that I was thinking of something when he asked it. He wanted to know what I was thinking of and why it would elicit any reaction. I explained it the best as I could.

[BlueFlu]

You said you manipulated the control question. What was the control question and how did you manipulate it? Did you use the anal contraction? If so, how much pressure did you apply? I ask because I know TLBTLD says you should only use a little, but I tend to think you need to use slightly more than that in order to get successful results. I don't mean all out effort, because that would be too obvious, but more than half-effort. Also, I don't know how the computers intepret these kinds of reactions. I know a lot of places use the Polyscore software which has been debunked by a lot of polygraph peer groups as being very inaccurate.  I don't know if the program even compares the relevant reactions to the control reactions. If not, then it wouldn't matter what kind of reaction you showed on the control.

[astounded]

some much advice - so little knowlege

[BlueFlu]

I assume you meant "so much advice..."

What exactly are you trying to get at, Astounding?

[George W. Maschke]

Anonymous,

I think bushido71's observations were quite cogent. While there is no strong indication that you may have "failed," it is possible that your polygrapher may have deemed the charts to be "inconclusive" (or close to being so).

Your replies when asked what question(s) you thought you reacted to and how you thought you did on the polygraph were also quite astute.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the feedback. I am breathing a little more easily given your opinions. I will post the final results here, but if I do indeed pass, I will owe it to the invaluable information found on this site.

The fact that I show reactions to questions I did not lie on proves to me that this is a junk science that needs to be abolished, or at the very least, have its importance in the pre-employment process tapered back.

[LASD Hopeful]

Anonymous,

I am in a similar situation as you. I recently took a polygraph with the LA County Sheriff. I was told I had a reaction to one question (drug-related) which I explained was a result of my thinking about some former friends I no longer associate with because of their drug use. The examiner asked me to write it down and sign it. That must be standard operating procedure for them. Anyway, he appeared satisfied with my explanation but did not say if I passed or failed. He said "you may have to come back and retest so we can focus on the issues that seemed to bother you" but that it was ultimately a BI decision.

Although the door seems to be open for an "inconclusive" or an "NDI" I am still worried that I will get that dreaded DQ letter.

Has anyone here ever passed a poly under similar circumstances???

[Fred F.]

Anonymous,

I am in a similar situation as you. I recently took a polygraph with the LA County Sheriff. I was told I had a reaction to one question (drug-related) which I explained was a result of my thinking about some former friends I no longer associate with because of their drug use. The examiner asked me to write it down and sign it. That must be standard operating procedure for them. Anyway, he appeared satisfied with my explanation but did not say if I passed or failed. He said "you may have to come back and retest so we can focus on the issues that seemed to bother you" but that it was ultimately a BI decision.

Although the door seems to be open for an "inconclusive" or an "NDI" I am still worried that I will get that dreaded DQ letter.

Has anyone here ever passed a poly under similar circumstances???

LASD Hopeful,

You should have NOT given the polygrapher a written statement. That  more than likely will be used against you. The polygrapher will not tell you if you "pass or fail" unless he really wants to get a response from you.

You need to check with your BI ASAP to find out if they have viewed the results. They will make the decision on whether you continue or DQ.

Also FYI, The LASD has just cancelled the next academy for Jan. and denied promotions to sworn staff because of the ongoing budget crisis in LA County. You may want to check  other options in the LA area such as LAX Airport Police and  the LA Port Police.

Good Luck,

Fred F.

[LASD Hopeful]

Fred,

Thanks for the information. I am not sure what else I could have done when the examiner asked for the signed statement. Refusing to do so would seem to only raise suspicions. Plus, I felt my reason for having showed a reaction to the drug question was valid and yet did not open the door for additional interrogation.

Nevertheless, I did immediately call my BI who said they would talk to the examiner, but I have not heard anything since (it's been about a week). I am going crazy with worry and anticipation!!!!

I volunteer for the LASD and also heard about the denial of promotions but did not know the January class was cancelled. That is certainly unfortunate. I believe I would have been in line for the June class anyway. I hope I will still be able to continue in the process in the meantime. I am also in the process with LAPD and a couple of smaller local agencies.