Frustrated with Border Patrol Poly

[Calbraz]

So I took the polygraph with Border Patrol a while ago. I told the truth on all questions, did not try to manipulate the test in any way, and kept calm and cool. I have taken several polygraphs with local PDs and have passed all of them with no accusations or problems.

When I got to the post interrogation portion of the Border Patrol polygraph, the examiner told me that I didn't pass the exam in his opinion. He told me that he thought I wasn't being totally honest and had lied on the exam. He said that he wasn't going to tell me what question I had lied on but he asked me if I knew what it was. I said that I was telling the truth on every question. He said "OK, but I believe that you were lying on the test and you need to be honest with me." I stuck to my answer that I was telling the truth on everything. He then indirectly accused me of being a foreign agent or cartel spy by saying that such a person would stick to their answers as adamantly as I have. I took this as an insult but didn't show my feelings.

He then goes on to say that I tried manipulating the test but won't tell me what I did specifically until I admit to it. I know he's bluffing at this point and say that I did not attempt manipulating anything. He has enough at this point and tells me that he will submit the results to HR and they will decide to either fail me or give me another examination. We shake hands and I'm out of there. During the whole interaction, I am polite and not emotional, but I did have some sniffling due to allergies.

Within the last few weeks, I receive a call asking me if I'm interested in taking the examination again but with a different examiner. I say yes because I really want this job. So what I want to know is what to expect from this second examination. I think the first guy was bluffing and nothing popped up at him at any question during my exam so he never said I lied on a specific question. I plan on telling the truth and keeping cool during this second exam. Any thoughts on this and opinions? Am I screwed no matter what? I am also a veteran if that makes a difference. Thanks all.

[George W. Maschke]

Calbraz,

Thank you for sharing your polygraph experience. While I cannot predict with certainty how your next polygraph will go, I think it's likely that you will again be accused of deception and, quite possibly, using countermeasures.

If you tell your polygrapher that you visited this site and posted on this message board, then the likelihood of a countermeasure accusation will increase substantially.

While there is evidence of CBP using the polygraph to arbitrarily disqualify military reservists and guardsmen, I'm not aware of any institutional bias against veterans.

[Calbraz]

Calbraz,

Thank you for sharing your polygraph experience. While I cannot predict with certainty how your next polygraph will go, I think it's likely that you will again be accused of deception and, quite possibly, using countermeasures.

If you tell your polygrapher that you visited this site and posted on this message board, then the likelihood of a countermeasure accusation will increase substantially.

While there is evidence of CBP using the polygraph to arbitrarily disqualify military reservists and guardsmen, I'm not aware of any institutional bias against veterans.

Thank you. I'm going to keep shut about this site and not mention it. I have the second exam scheduled soon and I'll update here when I find out my results. I mainly wanted to vent my frustrations here.

[Doug Williams]

This type of conduct by the polygraph examiner is despicable and totally unacceptable.  And it seems that the CBP polygraph operators are the worst.  The time is long since past to stop this abuse.  ENOUGH ALREADY!

[xenonman]

He then indirectly accused me of being a foreign agent or cartel spy by saying that such a person would stick to their answers as adamantly as I have. I took this as an insult but didn't show my feelings.

Funny, NSA also accused me of being deceptive about having meetings with "foreign agents"!  That accusation, back in 1982, was the definitive confirmation for me about the utter worthlessness of polygraphy, except as a tool of intimidation.