FBI TESTING - What's involved

[Torpedo]

Skeptic, I respectfully request your assistance.  I could probably go back through all of the postings in the archives of this site, but I am sure you can answer this quickly and succintly. I appreciate you saving me the work.   What exactly is your personal experience with polygraph?  Have you ever taken a polygraph? Did you pass? Did you fail? Are you a former polygraph examiner ? Have you passed a polygraph in which you knew you were untruthful by using countermeasures.  Just wondering...Thanks for your quick reply.

[Skeptic]

Skeptic, I respectfully request your assistance.  I could probably go back through all of the postings in the archives of this site, but I am sure you can answer this quickly and succintly. I appreciate you saving me the work.   What exactly is your personal experience with polygraph?  Have you ever taken a polygraph? Did you pass? Did you fail? Are you a former polygraph examiner ? Have you passed a polygraph in which you knew you were untruthful by using countermeasures.  Just wondering...Thanks for your quick reply.

I don't mind discussing it at all.  I've taken three polygraphs for employment with the National Security Agency.  All three were Relevant/Irrelevant format.  I don't really know whether I "passed" or "failed", as I understand NSA uses the polygraph primarily as a means to elicit confessions, and although I went through three post-test interrogations, I was never explicitly told I "failed".  My understanding now is that most people applying at NSA face post-test interrogations and multiple polygraphs.

I used countermeasures during the first two polygraphs on sacrifice relevant questions and on a breakdown test.  Not surprisingly (for an NSA R/I exam) the countermeasures didn't help on the regular exam -- I got interrogated anyway.  They had the clear effect of foiling the breakdown exam, though, and there was no indication of detection whatsoever.

The last exam was the only time I was explicitly asked about research into polygraphy, at which time I volunteered my knowledge of the polygraph and countermeasures.  At no time during any of the exams did I answer any questions dishonestly.

After the third exam, I waited about a month and a half, and having heard nothing further (despite two attempts to contact the NSA and discover my status) proceeded to withdraw my application, primarily because I didn't want the joy of going through the same experience every five years or so.  Their response indicated to me that I had not been disqualified from the application process at the time, so presumably (despite all the fun interrogations) I passed.

Skeptic

[evan pulliki]

  I'll tell you something the secret is to lie, lie, lie, lie, because the real honest FBI agents never get the job...

Always lie...

If the president can do it, so can you!

*wink*