USSS second polygraph

[Mattstriker]

Hello everybody, At the end of my Polly I was informed that I failed 1 question. Anybody knows if they let me retest for that 1 question or retake the test at all. I am 100% without a shadow of the doubt know that I told the truth.

[George W. Maschke]

Mattstriker,

If you write a letter to the USSS contesting the results of your polygraph, it's possible, but unlikely, that you'll be offered a "re-test." Even if you were to be offered a re-test, you would be wise to refuse it, because the outcome would almost certainly be foreordained: you'd either "fail" again, or worse, be accused of having attempted to beat the polygraph. (Countermeasure accusations are common on "re-tests.") It's better to have just one failed polygraph on your record instead of two.

Polygraph operators cannot afford to reverse more than a handful of results. For them to do so would call into question the reliability and validity of polygraphy.

The best you can do at this point is to write a letter to the USSS disputing your polygraph operator's false accusation that you lied. Your letter should be added to your file, and it will serve to document the fact that you did not tacitly accept the accusation that you lied. This is important, because your USSS file, which is a permanent record, may be shared with any other federal agency that has a security clearance requirement with which you might seek employment in the future.

[Mattstriker]

Thank you for your prompt response. I will share some details after I am sure they really disqualified me based on this nonsense.

[George W. Maschke]

Mattstriker,

I look forward to learning more about your experience and hope you might consider contributing a statement (anonymously, if you prefer) for our Personal Statements page. The 3rd one down is my own:

https://antipolygraph.org/statements.shtml