Medical Conditions Affecting Polygraph.

[Austin Lee Mahoney]

I have severe epilepsy, I average 6-10 seizures a week an take a ton of medications. I have an upcoming poly. I have failed several an I'm told it's due to the epilepsy. Is this true! Should I consult my doctor for a release!

[John M.]

I would recommend getting a doctor's note. I seriously doubt that they will honor it though. This happened to me. Even though there are approved regulations that prohibit polygraphing and interrogating individuals with mental, emotional or psychological disabilities, they still do it. No one will - or is able - to hold them accountable. Yet.

#StopPolygraphAbuse

[Daytrading]

@ quickfix

Is it possible to quote a policy from the feds or guidelines regarding the ptsd?

[quickfix]

DOD Instruction 5210.91, Encl 4, para a(2):   "Interview the examinee, collect basic data, and assess the examinee's suitability and condition to undergo an examination."

Translation:  The polygraph examiner must determine whether or not a person is physically and mentally suitable for testing.  If they determine the person should obtain a doctor's note attesting to the suitability of the person to be tested, they would tell the person and postpone testing until a note is obtained.

[John M.]

So now polygraph examiners are psychologists and psychiatrists too?

The part of the regulation he's referring to is part of the "pretest phase", where they collect basic data, inform you of your rights, and lie right to your face.

Actually, DoDI 5210.91 Enclosure 3, 2. l. Directs the DoD Components that are authorized to conduct PCA examinations to write internal "Policies and procedures to assess and determine whether an individual is medically, psychologically, and emotionally fit to undergo an examination".

The regulation also states in Enclosure 4, 2. h. that those Components must have written procedures that "Exempt or postpone examinations when individuals are considered medically, psychologically, or emotionally unfit to undergo an examination".

[quickfix]

So, John M. is now a polygraph expert?  I guess when you fail 5 polygraphs in 3 years and get your access pulled, you become an expert...at failure.

[Linda]

I have had a polygraph 2x this week and both are inconclusive. I do have borderline personality which means i have emotional extremes to loss abandonment and rejection.  Is this why its coming back inconclusive.  I am on no meds.  I dont drink or do drugs.  They say they havent had this before.  Are they just a company that takes money with no results?  I went in voluntarily to prove what happened and isnt giving me answers.

[George W. Maschke]

I have had a polygraph 2x this week and both are inconclusive. I do have borderline personality which means i have emotional extremes to loss abandonment and rejection.  Is this why its coming back inconclusive.  I am on no meds.  I dont drink or do drugs.  They say they havent had this before.  Are they just a company that takes money with no results?  I went in voluntarily to prove what happened and isnt giving me answers.

Linda,

The fact that you took the polygraph twice and both times the result was inconclusive does not mean that there is anything wrong with you. The problem is that polygraphy is junk science.

A polygraph "test" cannot prove what did or didn't happen.

[Exempt??]

Would I be eligible to be exempt from the polygraph if my primary care provider states that I have Panic Attack Disorder, GAD, recently recovered from a Pulmonary Embolism, Bipolar Disorder, Major depressive disorder and PTSD?

[George W. Maschke]

Would I be eligible to be exempt from the polygraph if my primary care provider states that I have Panic Attack Disorder, GAD, recently recovered from a Pulmonary Embolism, Bipolar Disorder, Major depressive disorder and PTSD?

No.

[KK]

 I have a spinal cord injury and have been on disability for 14 years due to the damage it has caused to my spinal cord and my central nervous system I have two medical Spinal cord stimulators implanted in my back that connects to my spinal cord. Am I a good candidate for a polygraph test or would my medical condition prevent me from getting accurate results?

[George W. Maschke]

I have a spinal cord injury and have been on disability for 14 years due to the damage it has caused to my spinal cord and my central nervous system I have two medical Spinal cord stimulators implanted in my back that connects to my spinal cord. Am I a good candidate for a polygraph test or would my medical condition prevent me from getting accurate results?

Your spinal cord injury is unlikely to prevent you from getting accurate results, but polygraphy's complete lack of scientific underpinnings might well.