Clarification for POT and SPOT. Told the truth and failed.

[Peter Wallz]

Hey guys!

I took a polygraph test a few weeks ago and failed even though I told the truth. I had read up on "The Lie Behind" the lie detector, but I think I got either a POT or SPOT test, and I wasn't sure how to use countermeasures on those. Reviewing the book, I don't think it clarifies that! I didn't not use countermeasures last time, and failed although I told the truth. I want to take it again, but I would like to know how to appropriately use countermeasures for these test in order to help make sure that I pass! Thanks for all the info/help!

[stefano]

I took a polygraph test a few weeks ago and failed even though I told the truth. I had read up on "The Lie Behind" the lie detector, but I think I got either a POT or SPOT test, and I wasn't sure how to use countermeasures on those.

You cannot "fail" a SPOT. It is simply looking for a point where "relief" is detected.

[Peter Wallz]

Without giving away enough information so that I may be identified, I know I took either a SPOT or POT. Not super sure on what the differences are. I was told by the examiner that I had failed and would need to re-test.

[stefano]

Without giving away enough information so that I may be identified, I know I took either a SPOT or POT. Not super sure on what the differences are. I was told by the examiner that I had failed and would need to re-test. 

I would have to see the questions to verify, but if you were administered a SPOT or POT, then you were fed a line of bullshit by the polygrapher. In a POT, both the examiner and the subject know the key and the examiner surmises guilty knowledge if relief is noticed after responding to the known key.

In the SPOT, supposedly only the subject knows the key and the examiner is endeavoring to find out what it is among a set of possibilities.

[Peter Wallz]

Without giving away enough information so that I may be identified, I know I took either a SPOT or POT. Not super sure on what the differences are. I was told by the examiner that I had failed and would need to re-test. 

I would have to see the questions to verify, but if you were administered a SPOT or POT, then you were fed a line of bullshit by the polygrapher. In a POT, both the examiner and the subject know the key and the examiner surmises guilty knowledge if relief is noticed after responding to the known key.

In the SPOT, supposedly only the subject knows the key and the examiner is endeavoring to find out what it is among a set of possibilities.

Must have been a SPOT. Thanks for all your clarification on this. Are there any resources available to help me prepare for this sort of test and get them to leave me alone next time so I don't have to re-test? I don't have anything to hide, and I intend to be honest. I just want this harassment over with.

[stefano]

Are there any resources available to help me prepare for this sort of test and get them to leave me alone next time so I don't have to re-test? I don't have anything to hide, and I intend to be honest. I just want this harassment over with. 

This kind of "exam" does not yield any determination of Deception (or not). Hence, countermeasures could only be employed to confound the results. To accomplish this, I would think that what is mentioned in TLBTD regarding the R/I countermeasures would serve; see page 151.

The polygrapher may be calling you as "failing" the polygraph because he was unable to identify the key. Application of countermeasures as described, would make it even more difficult.

[Peter Wallz]

Are there any resources available to help me prepare for this sort of test and get them to leave me alone next time so I don't have to re-test? I don't have anything to hide, and I intend to be honest. I just want this harassment over with. 

This kind of "exam" does not yield any determination of Deception (or not). Hence, countermeasures could only be employed to confound the results. To accomplish this, I would think that what is mentioned in TLBTD regarding the R/I countermeasures would serve; see page 151.

The polygrapher may be calling you as "failing" the polygraph because he was unable to identify the key. Application of countermeasures as described, would make it even more difficult.

That makes sense. In that case, I don't think I will bother with countermeasures since it seems like all it will do is make him more convinced of one thing or another. Again, thanks for your help.