Inconclusive test

[X]

First of all, thank you for all the information.  It makes me feel a bit better, but I was hoping you could give me some support as well.  I received news that my first polygraph for a certain federal law enforcement agency came up as "inconclusive".  As a result they are making me take a new test very soon (please pardon the lack of details but I feel it is best to protect my privacy).  I did not use any techniques the first time and do not plan to use any the second time.  My question is this: if it comes up inconclusive the second time, what is going to happen to me?  Will I still have a chance at being hired?  After the first time, the polygrapher/interrogator said he thought I had passed and then asked me positive questions about my future career, what I thought about such a great job, etc.  There was no hint that there was a problem until the recent call.  I did notice that the question about drunk driving was asked more than any other (probably 7-8 times) and I mentioned that to the agent who called.  I also said that I was going to answer every question the exact same way.  How would you suggest I approach the second test?  I feel like being indignant because I DID tell the truth, but I wonder if that will hurt me.  To get this job I must pass this test.  Thanks all,
X  

[George Maschke (Guest)]

X,

I am sorry to learn of your bad experience. You asked:

My question is this: if it comes up inconclusive the second time, what is going to happen to me?  Will I still have a chance at being hired?

No. You need to "pass." Unless a rare exception were made. I wouldn't count on it.

You also asked:

How would you suggest I approach the second test?

Gino Scalabrini and I offer some suggestions in Chapter 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector. We suggest three options:

• Refusing to submit to polygraph "testing" (but you won't get the job)
• Complete honesty -- explaining to your polygrapher that you understand the trickery on which the "test" depends (but you're likely to be polygraphed anyway and accused of deception and/or countermeasures)
• To use polygraph countermeasures to protect yourself against a false positive (or inconclusive) outcome

This involves an ethical choice that only you can make. But if you told the truth with regard to the relevant questions, I don't see an ethical problem in using countermeasures to protect yourself from this voodoo science. As the FBI's leading expert on polygraphy wrote to the director of the FBI laboratory, these "tests" have zero diagnostic value:

http://antipolygraph.org/hearings/senate-judiciary-1997/richardson-13-09-99.shtml

http://antipolygraph.org/hearings/senate-judiciary-1997/richardson-25-10-99.shtml


Last modification: George Maschke - 02/07/01 at 00:24:15

[scr]

I had to take and re-take my polygraph 5 times for a security clearance. All the results were inconclusive. What I did was smoke a cigar and have about 5 cups of coffee prior to the exams, and I lied about almost everything! By this I mean, I answered correctly, but I made myself so nervous and upset, that it all sort of came out as a lie. Even on the control questions (name a number type, and am I in a chair type of thing)I just thought hard on the wrong answer, and became very worried/upset on every answer. Remember to keep your anxiety level up for a while after the question is answered. They even gave me the "hot water" treatment because my galvanic response wasn't what they thought it should be. Also, tell them repeatedly that you don't approve, and you don't believe this is a valid test. Remind them that it is a very good "body response monitor", but it in NO way is a valid lie detector. Mostly, don't let them intimidate you. Tell them you're a liar right from the beginning, and don't worry when they get in your face.