CVSA

[JSho]

I took the CVSA yesterday for my application to a police department. I even took a medication my doctor prescribed me for anxiety but it didn't help to calm my nerves once I was in there. Before the exam yesterday, I was told I was #1 on the list to be hired but if the CVSA showed signs of deception, I might as well be #100. I failed a polygraph last month in my application to another police department because it was decided I had stolen from employers, lied on my application, and committed undetected crimes (at least they're supposed to be calling me back for a second poly). The poly showed ne problems with regard to the questions about drugs. Well on the CVSA yesterday, the questions I "showed deception" on were related to using marijuana and selling drugs. Two things I've never been interested in doing. And yet, another question asked "other than what you have told me, have you ever used illegal drugs?" and my answer of "no" was shown as being truthful. It also said I was being deceitful about having commited domestic violence (I'm a woman) but at least the examiner said that could be a result of having had a violent father. She gave me the test three times (she said she rarely gives it a thrid time) and the first two times, I supposedly showed deception when asked "did you omit any information on your personal history questionnaire?" So I asked if she could rephrase it as "were you completely honest and forthcoming on your phq?" When it sounded less accusatory, I had no problem with that question.
I can understand the usefulness of telling an applicant that this computer is going to test if they're lying to encourage them to make admissions. But the possiblity they would rely solely on a computer printout of my voice to decide if I'm a worthy person is so upsetting. I think it may have been this website where someone said they were fooling around with a CVSA machine and just said "no" "no" "no" into the mike and it showed deception even though they weren't even answering any questions! I really could believe that after yesterday.
When it was over, she said she couldn't tell me if I passed or failed but rather she would write up her report and pass it on to the chief and hiring department who will decide if I can proceed on to the final phase. She said "I think you will but I just can't make you any promises." So now I'm going to spend the next week or two obsessing about it!

[e1d]

Sorry to hear that. It's a bunch of crap. Sounds like you had the same questions I had. They asked me weird things like, were you ever sexually abused, have you ever paid for sex, have you ever seen a therapist for anything, are you taking any prescription drugs, if so what for, do you look at porno. They also asked what is the weirdest sexual thing I have done - I'm thniking to myself, what the hell kind of question is that! I played along and made up something pretty lame and laughed it off. Good luck!

[G Scalabr]

I can understand the usefulness of telling an applicant that this computer is going to test if they're lying to encourage them to make admissions. But the possibility they would rely solely on a computer printout of my voice to decide if I'm a worthy person is so upsetting.

I agree that CVSA is an effective interrogation prop (at least against naive and gullible subjects). But ANY reliance, not just sole reliance, on this fraudulent device is unsettling. As you know, like astrology, CVSA has never been shown to be more accurate then chance (excluding studies done by the manufacturer of the device, of course). Thus, any consideration of CVSA readings by a law enforcement agency is just as foolish as bringing a crystal ball reader into a police station. I wonder if any of these agencies using CVSA have also wasted taxpayer money on hiring the services of Miss Cleo