Pre-employment poly

[wadewe]

I recently took a pre-employment polygraph for a police officer position.  I had used marijuana a few times in high school and disclosed that on my questionnaire.  The total time for the test was about two hours including the pre-test interview.  I was run through two series of questions which consisted of ten questions each.  At the end of the test the examiner said there was some issue in the area of drug use and asked what I was thinking about when asked about drugs.  At no time was I accused of deception or lying.  I made no further admission about drug use.  I asked the examiner how I did and he said that he would have another examiner review the chart but that "you are on the right side of the page", whatever that means.  

The questions I have are; does that fact that he asked me what I was thinking about regarding a question constitute a post exam interview, and what do you think are my chances of passing the exam?      

[George W. Maschke]

In The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, we mention that if you are subjected to a "post-test" interrogation, it is a good indication that you didn't pass. However, you received the bare minimum in the way of "post-test" questioning, and there was no accusation of deception with regard to any of the relevant questions.

I think it is likely that you passed. Polygraphers frequently avoid telling an examinee whether he/she passed, in case their reading of the charts is overruled by a supervisor.

[Skeptic]

In The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, we mention that if you are subjected to a "post-test" interrogation, it is a good indication that you didn't pass. However, you received the bare minimum in the way of "post-test" questioning, and there was no accusation of deception with regard to any of the relevant questions.

I think it is likely that you passed. Polygraphers frequently avoid telling an examinee whether he/she passed, in case their reading of the charts is overruled by a supervisor.

I agree.  It sounds to me like the polygrapher was taking a last stab at fishing for something before turning you loose.

Skeptic

[Mr. Truth]

But don't fall for the post-post exam interview, where you call and ask about the results. "We're still looking at a few questions, oh by the way, what were you thinking about on this question?" Say nothing, nothing that you can think of, and goodbye.