Just took my first polygraph test

[honest1]

Going through a nasty divorce and wife is making some horrible accusations. My attorney suggested I take a private polygraph. Went to my appointment and had the pretest. We went over the accusations and he picked 4 or 5 questions that had to do with the accusations and filled in the rest with control questions.  He hooked me up to the machine and told me to relax. He started asking me the questions and on the second go round of the same questions he said he was gonna change the order of the questions cause most people memorize the order and can anticipate what question will be asked next. After he administered that part of the test, he asked me what type of martial arts training I do and what kind of workout I perform. When I asked why, he said my heartbeat is remaining steady and even, it doesn't change. He again asked the same questions but said to answer truthfully the first time and lie the second time. He did this on both the relevant and control questions. When we finished he said he needed to compare the charts and would let my attorney know on Monday. I hope I passed since I was telling the truth but his statement of my heartbeat staying steady has got me a bit worried. All I did was control my breathing throughout the test. If anyone has had a similar experience I'd love to hear from you.

[stefano]

Going through a nasty divorce and wife is making some horrible accusations. My attorney suggested I take a private polygraph. 

I am not sure why. The results are inadmissible (at least in my State) unless both parties agree. Moreover, egregious allegations are common place in family court and are usually not given much credence absent some kind of evidence.

[honest1]

Got my test results yesterday. The examiner said I failed because and I quote " he was too smooth and relaxed. He must of been trained to beat the polygraph and must have used countermeasures". He went as saying I was too calm and in my results were not typical. I was telling the truth the whole time but remained calm as he instructed me to. Now I know they're a bunch of crap.  Also there was no evidence at all. Her word against mine and her statements changed several times.  I guess we are going to court. Wish me luck guys.

[Bill_Brown]

I would suggest you look at your first post, you controlled your breathing throughout the test.  This is considered a countermeasure.  Appears the examiner picked up on this and you were correctly called on your use of countermeasures. 

[Bill_Brown]

Honest1,

I forgot to say, best of luck in your court case. 

[stefano]

I guess we are going to court. Wish me luck guys. 

I'm still a little confused. The result of the polygraph was the criterion used to decide whether or not to "go to court?"

Also, he said your were too calm and your results not typical? Most "examiners" have a much better line of B.S. than this.

[stefano]

He again asked the same questions but said to answer truthfully the first time and lie the second time. He did this on both the relevant and control questions.

Directed Lie relevant questions? Did he simply ask you to answer "yes" to all questions?

[honest1]

I didn't control my breathing to try and beat the test. I did it to remain calm. I hadn't even known about this site until after I took the test.  The examiner asked me to answer truthfully at first then had me lie about the same questions.