Countermeasures

[SoloLemon]

What would be the best countermeasure to use on a directed-lie "test"?  Any other tips about easing some of the stress of having to take a polygraph?

[Anonymous]

SoloLemon,

A directed lie test is a countermeasure challenge designed for dummies.  Just produce responses to the questions they direct you to tell a lie to...takes the guesswork out of things...

[SoloLemon]

I understand that but I don't want to make it obvious when there are huge reactions to the control questions.  What would be the best way to go about it?

[George W. Maschke]

SoloLemon,

Note that the two federal agencies that most rely on a directed-lie CQT polygraph format (DoD and DOE) have pass rates of nearly 100% (although as many as 20% may be subjected to more than one polygraph session before being ultimately "cleared"). Thus in order to pass, it is probably enough simply to avoid making any substantive admissions. See the discussion thread, How to Pass the DoD CI-Scope Polygraph.

That said, you might choose to use mental countermeasures while answering the "control" questions. They are not far removed from the instruction given to the examinee to think about their undisclosed behavior while falsely denying (albeit at the polygrapher's command) having done it.

To ease some of the stress about having to take a polygraph, I suggest you educate yourself about the process as much as possible beforehand. You'll find a fair amount of documentation on this website.

[SoloLemon]

Thanks alot George!  I have been reading alot of info from this website and I downloaded TLBTLD.

[Darren Jensen]

I understand that but I don't want to make it obvious when there are huge reactions to the control questions.  What would be the best way to go about it?

What worked for me is upping my breathing baseline (as well as thinking of a graphic immage in my head) for about 10 seconds after the appropriate question.  Then I returned to my baseline breathing.

Being stressed during the testing doesn't seem like it would make a difference, as your baseline would stay the same throughout the test.  Remember that the whole point is to augment your baseline at the right time.  Read the article for more details.