Polygraph

[stephan3838]

Just got the call to go in for a polygraph in about 9 days and now I feel sick to my stomach.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Sounds like you have something on your conscience.

[stephan3838]

No I was completely honest on Background paperwork. This will be the first polygraph I have ever taking and the furtherest I have gotten with any agency so far.

[Kimble]

Sounds like you have something on your conscience.

Not necessarily. I've taken two poly's, and was nervous before each simply because it's an interrogatory process. Nothing adnormal about being nervous about a poly, especially if you've never taken one.

Now, if you're nervous as you are asked specific questions, well after the test has begun and you've had time to cool your nerves, that may be a different issue.

Long story short, go in, be honest as you already have been, and don't sweat it. It's just a necessary evil in the hiring process.

[CincyCop]

Not necessarily. I've taken two poly's, and was nervous before each simply because it's an interrogatory process. Nothing adnormal about being nervous about a poly, especially if you've never taken one.

I agree with this. I have only taken one poly (Cincinnati Police) and it was initially a daunting experience...viewing all the electronic equipment and wires and such. I will say that the polygrapher, a Cincinnati Police Officer, did put my mind at ease quite a bit before the actual poly was administered by conducting a briefing regarding what was going to be covered and how the equipment worked. I would hope that someone would be afforded such a briefing prior to their poly.

Anyway, I wish you well, stephan3838.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I've taken 4 or 5 of them and 1 CVSA (Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer) to boot. Even when taking my first poly, I wasn't any more nervous than any other step of the process. I showed up and saw the electric chair (muahahahaha*) and still wasn't any more nervous. Certainly at no point was I nauseous at the idea of taking one. I understand that some people can be a bundle of nerves, though.

Like CincyCop, all my polygraphs involved an explanation of the device. I really didn't care how they worked, but I trusted the examiner and knew 2 things:

1: I wouldn't lie, and;

2: I had (and still currently have) nothing to hide from them.

[Lawson]

I took my 5th poly today, was still a bit nervous.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

You shouldn't have been. You're a one man kung fu SWAT team for cryin' out loud!!!

[CincyCop]

...involved an explanation of the device.

We didn't receive an explanation of the device during S.E.R.E. School...even though it was not a polygraph device. Sometimes I believe I was nervous just prior to the Cincinnati Police poly because I was having flashbacks to S.E.R.E. School interrogations. Good times...but not really!

[ChevySSP]

I took two, and the one I was most nervous for hired me.

Its all about being completely honest about everything. No deception=no failure.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

We didn't receive an explanation of the device during S.E.R.E. School...even though it was not a polygraph device. Sometimes I believe I was nervous just prior to the Cincinnati Police poly because I was having flashbacks to S.E.R.E. School interrogations. Good times...but not really!

I can understand not getting an explanation of it at S.E.R.E. school. Different environment and purpose altogether.

Glad you're still with us (mostly, at least).

[sgtbear111]

From a former Polygraph Examiner:

a. dress like it is a job interview, because it is
b. get adequate sleep and have a light meal one or two hours prior
c. if you have nothing to hide, nothing to worry about
d. if you lie, automatic DQ
e. be yourself
f. be truthful and thorough, holding back info is deception and a DQ
g. stressful - yes and outside stressful "stuff" will not help:
(i). if you are sick (fever, chills, vomiting), call in to ask for a reschedule
(ii). if you have just experienced a major emotional trauma (such as major
problem or death in family), discuss that with the examiner

If someone offers you "advice" on how to "beat the box", walk away. If you listen to that advice, don't try it. It is deception, or attempting to cheat. Suggest you mention hearing/listening to any such "advice" to the examiner before the exam, because holding it back will show up as clearly as driving wrong way on a freeway.

You will review every question that the examiner will ask before and during the exam.

Do what is expected, no head games, you will be fine.

[stephan3838]

Not feeling sick anymore just excited. think it was just the initial shock that this was actually moving forward after 4 months of waiting.

Thanks Cincy.

P.S.
I am going through the process with three other agencies, should I inform them that I am scheduled for a polygraph?

[mobrien316]

c. if you have nothing to hide, nothing to worry about

With all due respect, that's what I thought going into my first polygraph, so I was relaxed and confident. I confidently answered all questions truthfully, and I failed. I failed my next two polygraphs after that, but for failing different questions each time. I finally passed my fourth polygraph, even though I wasn't lying or witholding information on any of them and I don't think my answers changed substantially on any of them.

The National Academy of Sciences conducted a research study in 2003 and determined that in non-specific issue polygraph screening the accuracy level is roughly the same as random chance.

I have no confidence in the polygraph's ability to detect deception, although it does function nicely as an interrogation intimidator.

[JR180]

With all due respect, that's what I thought going into my first polygraph, so I was relaxed and confident. I confidently answered all questions truthfully, and I failed. I failed my next two polygraphs after that, but for failing different questions each time. I finally passed my fourth polygraph, even though I wasn't lying or witholding information on any of them and I don't think my answers changed substantially on any of them.

The National Academy of Sciences conducted a research study in 2003 and determined that in non-specific issue polygraph screening the accuracy level is roughly the same as random chance.

I have no confidence in the polygraph's ability to detect deception, although it does function nicely as an interrogation intimidator.

I am in the very last phase of a hiring process and I still have to take the polygraph. When I read posts like yours it makes me even more freaked out. what if I fail and they think im a crack head?

I am also wondering about the stuff they already know about. I told them everything I have ever done. What if they ask me if I have done a certain thing and I say yes, but the machine says im lying and they think I am making up stuff that I did wrong. Wow, now I do sound like a crack head....