did I fail?

[Max]

Hello.  I took my second polygraph screening exam with the LAPD last night.  The first time I took the test I was given a "no opinion" result.  After that test was over, the examiner came back into the room and told me that he would recommend that I come back for another test.  So I went back downtown last night to take my second test.  The examiner I had this time seemed much friendlier and more accomodating than the first one.  But after the test was done he came in and pretty much implied to me that I had failed.  He said that I had a reaction to the same question three out of four times.  He asked me which question I thought it was, and I told him that I suspected that it was the domestic violence question.  That was the question my first examiner had been concerned about.  Let me make this very clear: I told the truth the first time, and I also told the truth last night.  Domestic violence is not an issue for me at all.  In my 22 yrs of life I've only been involved with a few girlfriends, none of whom I've ever physically abused in any way imaginable.  I've never even lived with any of them.  I'm young and I have lived with my parents most of my life.  I respect my parents greatly, and if I ever raised my hand against one of them I would've been kicked out into the street.  Needless to say, I never did it.  

I told my examiner that I might've been a bit self conscious towards the domestic violence question since my last examiner was concerned about that issue.  I'm baffled as to why I would've reacted to that question during the first exam.  But if I did indeed react to it during the second exam, I know it is because that question has been in my mind since the first exam.  Still, I know I am telling the truth, and I honestly did not feel like I reacted to that question last night.  But if there was a reaction on the chart, then I guess I did.  My examiner expressed some empathy for me, but also gave me the opportunity to confess anything that I might've left out.  He said that the reactions were very obvious 3 out of 4 times and that once the lab scores the results, I'd most likely be failed.  So he said I might as well tell him anything I left out because it might help.  But I wasn't going to confess to somethign that I didn't do.  I explained to him why i might've reacted to the question, but also made it very clear that I have NEVER been prone to domestic violence.  I almost lost my composure, but I'm glad I didn't explode on him.  I was very angry (and still am!) but I understand that he was just doing his job.  He was also very nice and went out of his way to make me feel comfortable, so I appreciated that.  He was much friendlier to me than the last examiner.  I asked him to give me a straight answer as to whether I passed or failed.  He told me that he cannot speak for the guys in the lab, but from what the charts say, it is his opinion that I have greater than a 50% chance that they'll fail me.  So I'm guessing that I have no chance at all.  He probably just told me "greater than 50%" instead of "no chance in hell kid" so that he wouldn't completely destroy my hopes.      

It doesn't seem like I can retest this time.  He simply told me that I'd get the results in the mail within three weeks to a month.  Until I get those results in the mail, I won't know for sure whether I passed or failed (although I guess it seems pretty obvious that I failed).  My question is this: do you think there is any chance that they will pass me?  Or should I pretty much accept my examiner's response and assume that I failed?

thanks in advance

[George W. Maschke]

Max,

Based on your examiner's remarks, it indeed sounds likely that you will not pass, at least based on a numerical scoring of the charts. However, I do not know to what extent the LAPD polygraph unit exercises discretion in making a final pass/no pass determination. You seem like a very unlikely candidate to have a history of domestic violence, and this is something that could (and should properly) be verified through a background investigation.

In addition, it is entirely reasonable to suppose that the polygrapher's expressed concerns about the domestic violence question during your first examination (that turned out inconclusive) would have sensitized you to the question during any subsequent examination.

[Max]

Mr. Maschke,

thanks for your input.  your work has really helped me to understand the whole polygraph thing better.  I guess I won't know for sure until they send me the results, but I will be prepared for the worst.

[Too_Honest]

From experience I can empathize with you.  I had to take my poly 7 times before I finally "passed" it.  I had the whole mind game experience (i.e. the nice polygrapher who "was here for me," the friendly repartee, and the "we're seeing some distortions in this area" speech).   Aside from the standard CSP questions I would also get:
- Did you ever betray the trust of a close friend or relative?
- Have you ever stolen money from a close friend or relative?
- Have you ever lied about someone to make yourself look good?

So I answered truthfully and I would get the "we're noticing some distortive patterns" speech because every time they would ask me a particular question I had an increasing reaction.  Yeah I had a reaction...you keep asking me the same question and I start to wonder why your asking me the question.  Then I start to think "what if the machine says I'm lying when I'm not."

Long story short, my career was ruined and I never did anything illegal.

[Marty]

From experience I can empathize with you.  I had to take my poly 7 times before I finally "passed" it.  ....    Long story short, my career was ruined and I never did anything illegal.

I'm confused. How was your career ruined since you eventually "passed" it. Also why were you tested 7 times? I don't recall anyone ever going through that. There must have been a lot at stake for both you and the testing agency. Over what period of time did those 7 polygraphs occur?

TIA

-Marty

[suethem]

LAPD has an appeal process.  Get familiar with it and pursue it all the way up.

I was accused of the same thing and it was complete BS as well.  I feel your anger.  

After every exam write down what was said.  Also make sure that the polygrapher does not turn off the tape machine when he wants to have a heart to heart. If he does pause the tape, when he restarts the tape, ask why he stopped the tape in the first place.  There is supppose to be accountability for these idiots - the tape should be rolling all the way through.

 In may case the polygrapher lied about the testing process and I filed a complaint.  I intend on following through all the way.

Use the information on this site to help you pass.

Rember the friendly polygrapher is the one with the dagger- be careful