Polygraph questions

[camp4928]

Since 500 results turned up when I searched for polygraph and I do not have time to sift through all of them I thought I would ask my question, even though I'm sure it has been asked before. Do polygraph examiners ask open-ended questions, or are they all closed-ended yes or no type questions? I'm just curious why the examinations reportedly take 3-4 hours, especially if the questions are closed-ended. Thanks.

[mythoss]

The actual exam while you're hooked up to the machine doesn't take 3-4 hours, that's more like 20 minutes. The 3-4 hours comes in from waiting in the waiting room, then being brought into a room to fill out the packet, which took me about an hour just on that. Then you hand it in, wait some more, and then some more. Then they finally call you up, put you in a room to sit and tell you "they'll be right back because they have to check something." 20-30 minutes later they'll show up with your packet, go over every question with you. Then at the end they'll tell you what questions they'll ask during the exam which are yes/no questions. Questions like "Were you completely truthful when you answered about your sexual history in the packet?" Then they'll leave the room, you'll wait some more. Finally they'll call you into an exam room which will be really hot, and they'll make a comment about how it's never usually that hot and the heat must be messed up. They'll hook you up, ask those questions, even if you tell the truth (and DO) they'll act like something sparked up and be like, "What's going on here with your drug history?" And try to get you to admit something that never happened, or God forbid you are lying because then you're screwed. Then they'll finally let you go. So yeah, the actually exam questions are yes/no but all the other crap is why they take 3-4 hours. Mine took 5 because there was a line.

[camp4928]

Oh, so it's mostly a bunch of hurry up and wait? Well that explains a lot. Thanks.

[shrubs82]

Mine was similar to that as well. I was checked in by security and brought up to a small office. From there I was given the packet and filled it out in about 50 minutes. Then the examiner comes in and kind of goes over what is going to happen. Me and the examiner ended up talking about golfing and gambling for about an hour before we actually began the test.

He asks if you have any questions, my only one was regarding pornography, where I had to ask if they meant watching or starring in it. I had no spikes or issues on mine, it only took 15 minutes. He said I passed and told me have a good one. Only uncomfortable part was bloodpreasure machine, but that is only because I hate having the cuff around me.

[Sierra]

My experience with a poly took maybe an hour and a half. The agency had me fill out the questionairre (sp?) and submit it prior to the date of the poly. These are the answers they used to run the exam, so I knew what they would ask. We spent part of the time reviewing the booklet while not hooked up clairifying my answers so there would be no surprises. The actual exam itself was probably 15 questions answered in a yes/no fashion.

[camp4928]

Mine was similar to that as well. I was checked in by security and brought up to a small office. From there I was given the packet and filled it out in about 50 minutes. Then the examiner comes in and kind of goes over what is going to happen. Me and the examiner ended up talking about golfing and gambling for about an hour before we actually began the test.

He asks if you have any questions, my only one was regarding pornography, where I had to ask if they meant watching or starring in it. I had no spikes or issues on mine, it only took 15 minutes. He said I passed and told me have a good one. Only uncomfortable part was bloodpreasure machine, but that is only because I hate having the cuff around me.

Do you think the examiner chit-chatted with you for so long to help calm your nerves? The officer I did my ride-along with said he was super nervous. I'm applying to fairly large agencies in Colorado, so I doubt I'll get that luxury. It's kind of funny though.

[Group9]

I'm no expert, but I have a friend who is the best polygrapher I have ever known. He says that the more relaxed a subject is, and the more they understand how the machine works, the more accurate it actually is (less undetermined responses).

And, from putting lots of subjects on them, I have found that the question "How accurate is a polygraph?", is like asking "How accurate is a sniper rifle?" Of course, both machines are very accurate, but it is the person operating them that determines how much of that accuracy gets used.