Failed the exam

[PapaBlueMarlin]

I am writing my letter of contest right now.  What should I put in it?

[Fair Chance]

Dear PapaBlueMarlin,

I suggested a format on a posting under "Polygraph and CVSA Forums/ CVSA/ RE:Yet Another Polygraph Question dated 11/21/02@12:11:37.  Just substitute your state police instead of FBI.  I have not had anyone contact me positively or negatively after using this format so I cannot tell you how well it works for other people.  Most of the people who stated to me that they were going to use it also stated that they would contact me if they did not get any results within a few months.  I have not been contacted by anyone yet.  It was successful for me.

Good luck (unfortunately, passing a pre-screening polygraph is like a roll of the dice and some luck is needed).

Regards.

[PapaBlueMarlin]

I sent my letter of contest out today by certified mail.  Hopefully, the results will acceptable, but I'm doubtful.

[Fair Chance]

Dear PapaBlueMarlin,

Instead of standing by and doing nothing, you have made an effort to defend yourself and send a letter.  This alone makes you stand above the nine out of ten other people who do not send any letter of disagreement with your stated results.  Some people talk the talk, some people walk the walk.  I admire you for taking the time and energy necessary to send your letter of appeal.

Stand your ground and look in the mirror.   You have done well.  At the end of everything else, that is the final measure, looking in the mirror and accepting the image.

Regards.

[PapaBlueMarlin]

This is the letter I received back from state police:

Dear Mr. _____:

I am writing in response to your letter dated May 9, 2003.  At the outset let me say that any and all materials collected as a part of our employment process are considered confidential and will be maintained in a manner consistent with that designation.

It is unfortunate that our hiring process has eliminated you as a potential intern, as you appear to have the credentials necessary to be a successful forensic scientist.  Our present guidelines are very strict in this regard, successful completion of a polygraph test is a mandatory requirement.  A failure to successfully complete the test simply terminates the process and eliminates you as a potential candidate for the available positions.  Termination of the process should not be interpreted as a "reason to discontinue working in this field."  Nor should it suggest to you that future employment with our agency, or other similar agencies, is an impossibility.

I wish you continued success in your endeavors to work in the field of forensic science.

Sincerely,
Captain ______
Laboratory Director

[orolan]

PapaBlueMarlin,
Looks like typical BS to me. Did you ask for a re-test in the letter you sent them? If you didn't, you should do so now. You might also ask for the materials related to the 1st one, telling them you wish to submit them to an impartial 3rd-party for QC review.
Odds are they'll tell you that a re-test is not available, and they'll tell you that you can't have the materials. But give them the chance to say so.

[PapaBlueMarlin]

I asked for a copy of the materials in my first letter, but I didn't request a retest because I no longer wished to work with that agency.

[Poly-Killer]

I was just reading this thread and it's a shame what has happened to papabluemarlin. Here is one of the reasons I think this whole poly screening thing should be scrapped. It doesn't have anything directly to do with papabluemarlin's experience, but it is another example of the inaccuracy of the poly. Papablue, I commend you for standing up for youself, I wish more would do the same.

I have, in the past, advised friends and acquantances to challenge their poly results after being disqualified. A very close friend was DQ'd, his letter from the department stated in part "...showed significant emotional response to several relevant questions. This is typically indicative of deception." When I read the letter, I thought "what kind of wishy washy BS is this?"

Anyway, the more he tried to challenge his results, the more resistance he ran into. When they finally did allow him to retest, it was at his own expense but they still determined when and where the poly took place. The department also forwarded the results of his first poly to the 2nd examiner and, big surprise, he failed. Since this was his 2nd failure, he was told he was no longer eligible for appointment and could not re-apply for 2 years. The deck was stacked against him from the very start. He was understandably very upset and has since pursued other things. Prior to testing, he had graduated with a bachelors degree and criminal justice and an associates in human resource management, he wanted to move up the ranks. He was so angered by this whole sham, he says no longer even wants to be in LE. This is just another example of our department, who always whines about being "undermanned", and the community we serve, missing out on another individual that would have made an outstanding officer and a great leader.  All because of that fine piece of investigative machinery, the all-knowing polygraph.

What a shame,
PK