drug questions

[grad_student]

In the near future I am going to take the Poly for a LE job, I was just wondering if I would fail the test because : If a question was asked pertaining the sale of drugs, and I felt guilt because I readily saw them used and sold  right in front of me even though i didnt do it could I get dq for it.  Even though it happened many years ago 5+ I feel a deep sense of guilt because I saw close friends and family ruin there lives because of drugs and did not do anything about it.  
 any advice will help  

[G Scalabr]

Grad Student,

It is nearly impossible to speculate as to whether you (or anyone) will pass or fail a polygraph "test," even if you are completely truthful. Polygraph screening is completely unreliable--a pseudoscientific fraud that continues despite near universal opposition by academics.

Despite what those who make their livings via the fraudulent process of polygraphy will tell you, it is entirely possible that because of your experience that you will feel stress when answering the drug question and therefore be falsely accused.

Any applicant--whether completely truthful or not--should consider employing polygraph countermeasures, which are described in our free online book The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, to surreptitiously manipulate the "test" to ensure "passing" results.

Also, remember that all polygraph "tests" are actually interrogations. Whether or not you choose to admit your contact with drugs is a decision only you can make. If you choose to mention your experiences to the examiner, be prepared to be aggressively questioned about them ("Why did you choose to hang around these degenerates?, etc). The examiner will press the issue, attempting to get you to make any disqualifying admission.  

While many applicants are rejected on polygraph charts alone, others are rejected because they are duped into making admissions. Remember, a man with 8 weeks of training in a process never validated by peer-reviewed scientific evidence cannot read your mind.

[therock]

while it's true a more serious question makes it relevant, now in regards to drug use.  A question about drug use, ex have you ever used illegal drugs, isn't this a control question?  I say this because wouldn't the polygrapher beleive that almost every1 has at least tried drugs once or so, now I can understand the question of have you ever violated this agency's drug policy a relevant question.  I mean you describe drug use question as a relevant question b/c of it's seriousness, but in general many of us have smoked marijuana or experimented with it at least once, so wouldn't this be a probable lie control question?

[Fred F.]

Rock,

Many agencies will have expected you to have "tried" marijuana. If you say NO, this can raise a "red flag" in many cases. As Gino points out you may encounter hostilities from the examiner in an effort to root out more information that they can use against you.

If you have used drugs in the past it is your decision whether or not to reveal this. If you are honest, be prepared to defend yourself vigorously and don't offer additional information that can be used against you.

Study The Lie Behind the Lie Detector and use your knowledge to get positive results on your poly



GOOD LUCK

Fred F.