Polygraphs are absolutely garbage. I took 2 polygraphs applying for a LEA in the state of Georgia and the first one came up as "inconclusive" and the examiner said that I failed miserably on the second one. I was calm, not thinking, told the 100% truth on every question and did not consciously react (breathing, move around etc) to any question. I attended a major engineering school in the southeast, have a stellar gpa, haven't committed a crime in my life, and also have not experimented with drugs or alcohol, but due to the polygraph, I am apparently a drug dealing, cocaine snorting, gangbanging, murdering criminal. The polygraph is an outright sham.
You are right. The same thing happened to my brother. as technologically advance as the world is the world is still shrouded in ignorance when it comes to polygraph validity and reliability.
Victor Yanez Doug Kassay mike7ace Read this guys book on his website, The Lie Behind the Lie Detector. VERY GOOD READ. This book demonstrates why Polygraphy is junk science.
same shit just happened to me. I was almost complete with the selection process for Arizona State Troopers. Little did i know my future aspirations to be a LEO would get ripped off as i was found "inconclusive" on my polygraph because i didn't admit to some personal drug use that never happened and doesn't exist. I was totally honest, hell i over incriminated myself, but i was somewhat nervous and really uncomfortable the whole time.
Forensic psychology studies have shown that people are capable of being nervous while providing truthful answers just as much as a non-truthful question.
And the fact that it is not reliable and your information is retained by the government it can be used against you whenever applying to any government agency...LETS SAY YOU TELL THE TRUTH BUT YOU WERE NERVOUS ,STRESS FOR ONE OUT OF A MILLION REASONS AND THEY INTERPRETED THAT FOR A LIE....GUESS WHAT FOR THEM YOU ARE A LIAR and therefore cripple your career...WHEN IN REALITY YOU WEREN'T LYING...
If you are apart of the Intel community and you feel like this is the end of the road; Remember OI and the power of the internet. Think about the skills you've obtained by simply working in Intel. ISR works in all aspects of business as well.
I was talking to my lawyer about completely unrelated matters when I asked him about polygraph tests. He told me NEVER agree to take one under any circumstance-- even if 100% innocent-- because they are based upon junk science. He cited law articles. He also said, never talk to the police when suspected of a crime-- without a lawyer present-- even if 100% innocent.
I was offered a job with the CIA and although I passed the background check, the offer was withdrawn as a result of my polygraph. The thing to keep in mind is that it is not just a lie detector, it's also a stress test to see how you behave and react under pressure. I was young and did not respond well to allegations by my examiner that I was untruthful. It was indeed an interrogation. The thing to keep in mind is that you should NEVER tell anything to a polygraph examiner that you would be uncomfortable telling to your parents. If you fail a question, they don't know if it's because your nervous or because you are being deceitful. BUT, once you admit to something, it's written in STONE. If they get upset and accuse you of deceit, the less you say the better. SAY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO THEIR INQUIRIES. Once you start talking or rambling you can get into trouble. Sit there for three hours and just keep saying that you are being truthful and you are trying to cooperate. It really is more of a game to get you to admit to something, don't fall for it.
The problem with polygraph is that only psychopaths can pass it which means you may be only hiring two types of people. Only people who are extremely rigid and do gooder type and the psychopath. Perhaps that’s why we have the problems with the police we have today.
Failed one recently, and I feel so lost. Now that I have failed I started to do research on why this happened, keeping in mind that I was not lying. From what I have seen I feel like this is a joke. They say these tests should not be the sole deciding factor in the job process yet these agencies hold so much stock in the results of these even though its not 100% reliable. I feel this is irresponsible, peoples jobs are on the line based off of an imperfect system. The worst part is they wont tell me why I failed or what they had issues with. These need to be regulated or not used at all. I have a gun pointed at your family (not real nor intent just an example), 5/6 chambers are empty. Would you trust someones life to a 90% chance? You have no job, family can't eat, no house, stressful marriage, financial issues... sounds like your families life is still on the line.
My wife just failed a lie detector and still swears to me she was telling the truth, I've looked up forums and there is a short... very short list of people that fail Polygraphs and say they were telling the truth but failed. I'm in such a tuff spot now, we're about to move out to new places, do I believe her wack story, she told me she's a virgin and 6.5 years later I find out she went to the hotel with her ex 1 time but apparently he couldnt get it up, but lie detector says she was lying. Why would she agree to go to do the test when I double and triple checked that it was ok to go and $660
Poon, would you tell the truth? assume she is lying and ask yourself if thats enough to ruin what you already have with her, if its a one off then let it slide we can all f-up. also if you have done it too then just accept it. i assume you mean she went to a hotel with her ex while she was married to you?
Here is a true, provable example of polygraph horse crap. As a suspect in an arson case I wished to prove my innocence. I took two polygraph tests and failed them both. They were taken secretly with a highly accredited company, one who I'm sure has ruined many lives and reputations. Thankfully, due to the diligence of the ATF the real arsonist was caught and confessed. Poligraphy caused me great stress, many sleepless nights and much anxiety. I was lucky...are others? Poligraphy should be used only as a parlor game.
I share your miserable experience. I tried to save my marriage and “failed miserably” according to my seasoned examiner. He was even nice enough to tell my wife I was “deceptive”. I am now more educated on the SCAM of the polygraph industry and have learned about Doug Williams polygraph and a very informative 60 Minutes episode with Diane Sawyer from about 1986 where her investigative news team goes undercover and exposes the polygraph industry as completely unreliable and labeling truthful subjects as deceptive to relevant questions. Looking back, my examiner had to know the flaws of his device and makes me convinced a person willing to brand someone as deceptive is a true narcissist when using the polygraph as their bases.
I've taken 7 polygraphs in 2 years and failed them all. It's always the same stupid questions. In one test i'm an exam cheater in high school and the next test somewhere else i'm totally innocent of it. I then get asked about drug use and all of a sudden i get told i'm a hard core drug user by the tester. The next test after that with some other polygraph tester i'm totally innocent on that same question only to be guilty of something else on some other stupid question i was innocent of on some other test 3 tests ago. It's always always something. These fucking tests are inconsistent and totally bogus and the people who administer them should be fucking ashamed to even call themselves professionals. I will now never get the job i want due to being blacklisted with virtually all the agencies i wanted to work for. All because i was honest.
I have over 17 years experience as a probation/parole officer, and have far more expertise in criminal behavior than most so-called lie detector professionals. Most felons are sociopaths, and they can easily manipulate a polygraph examiner and a polygraph. Since a sociopath has no remorse nor feelings for others, they feel no stress when taking a polygraph. Honest people don't have those kind of BS skills. Criminal Justice practitioners claim to have BS detectors, but cops are often the most naive people one will ever meet. Geez, how often have you heard cops calling in "seers" to help them communicate with spirits.
I took one more poly since the last one. It should amuse you somewhat. The polygraph examiner said his charts detected that i was an adulterer. Turns out he had me mixed up with another applicant who he knew was married and perhaps had some intel on this guys past i'm guessing. When i corrected the examiner that i wasn't this other guy when he got my name wrong during the test, he then restarted the test once he knew he messed up and STILL WENT WITH THAT SAME RESULT. The problem? I was not married and never ever had been. I protested and had the door shut in my face. I've since given up my dream of getting into law enforcement.
Many years ago, i witnessed an actual polygraph examination of a 19 year-old accused of arson. I knew nothing about polygraphs then. I nearly fell out of my chair when the examiner “tested” the device by having the suspect pick a card from a deck then used the polygraph to determine the card he chose. I didn’t know squat about polygraphs, but i could spot a two bit card trick. I was stunned. The examiner calibrated a “scientific” instrument with a sleight of hand! LOL From that moment, i knew it was a scam.
It's less a "doesn't want you to know" but rather, "they don't want to tell you, because it would make you less likely to tell the truth." The whole purpose of the polygraph is just like all lie detectors... to convince the individual that the examiner CAN tell if you're lying, so that you won't lie and risk it.
until yesterday i believed totally in the polygraph test. i niavely believed if you were telling the truth you would pass with flying colors. that being said, my husband has been accusing me, berating me and verbally accusing me daily of affairs that havent occurred. i voluntarily scheduled a polygraph test. i insisted on taking it, knowing i was innocent. fully trusting that it would prove to this man that i adore that i have never cheated. the polygraph examiner told us that i failed miserably. i am in complete shock and do not understand this. unfortunately i had not done any research. the polygraph test merely measures your bodies autonomic nervous system in response to questions asked. not in your responses. 40-50% of truthful people fail because their body responds to the question whether it be in fear, in anger, in anxiety or in lying. there is no way to tell that your body responded that way because you are lying.
If you have to take a polygraph to prove to somebody who claims they love you your intentions toward them, you're much better off without them. That is their issues, their hang ups, their insecurities, their problems. You should never have to take a polygraph test to prove to somebody that your faithful.
The tragedy is many people like myself fail polygraph tests constantly all while telling nothing but the truth. How this junky pseudo pop science is allowed to determine the career paths of candidates applying for jobs is beyond me. My polygraph examiner told me after a test that i was basically a hard core drug user. Even after disclosing i smoked pot once one time only 20 years ago. I never got the job and am blacklisted from reapplying. I spent many years getting degrees and many more putting myself in the best possible position to land the job i deserve only to have some asshole with an electronic tarot card reader decides my fate. I am unemployed and in massive student loan debt due to law enforcement agencies thinking i lie and won't employ me. A fucking joke is an understatement. This effectively ruins the potential good livelihoods of honest people
jonnytt11 I have two buddies sitting in jail for drug smuggling. They were caught in a Cessna 210 with 800 pounds of cocaine. A couple of months before they passed their poligraph for employment in Avianca. soon afterwards they quit to start their other "business".
*The Facts:* - As of 11/24/18, the national debt is *$21.784 trillion.* - According to Catherine Austin Fitts, Assistant Secretary of Housing - Federal Housing Commissioner at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, $21 trillion in taxpayer money has disappeared at the DoD and HUD. - Unfunded Liabilities exceed $100 trillion. Am I lying?
If you have ever had a "PANIC ATTACK" , like me, over and over again, -by simply telling yourself: "dont panic "., .....then what?? The panicking is really stressfull to endure. I actually panic when I tell myself not to . It really sucks. I mean, think about it........ I'm not the only one either that has this problem. So do many others.. -no one really seems to notice this wierd disorder or identify it ! Yet, it is real, among many a test taker. It is common, but seemingly, has not been identified and named. And it ultimatly affects the polygraph test. -wrong conclusions are being reached because of this disorder. You can not ask permission to not-have a panic-attack. It doesnt work like that. Just by thinking of not panicking sets off a panic-attack for many.. for me.. This is why I failed it, and that is why many others fail it. -that does'nt mean the guy is a liar necessarily , but sometimes get's interpreted that way. It just means, all of a sudden he or she panics -that they will be blamed for something that they did; yet reasures themselves, over and over again, to relax, but suddenly panics again and again instead. over , and over again. Like a vicious cycle. Welcome to my world. Tell me -a test...and I automatically panic. That is why many fail a polygraph for no appearant reason. They have a panic disorder. It doe'nt really help this disorder to be put on the spot under a bright lamp. Thanyou.
Yes your absolutely right and it's impossible to remain still during the test, the chair is uncomfortable, you have this thing wrapped around your chest, arm and fingers. I always get an itch I can't scratch. I'm naturally nervous anyway.
They did NOT tell me to relax. He kept telling me "stay nervous, stay nervous. If you try to relax yourself, it will appear as deception and you will fail."
The polygraph itself is not going to tell them whether you're lying or not. The device is there to draw your attention away from the interviewer and focus it on the machine or your own answers. THAT gives the interviewer total freedom to OBSERVE the person and their reactions. Nobody in the NSA gives a damn about the graphs or the paper, it's the interviewer who makes the decision. Oh, and the people behind the camera/mirror.
So glad I'm Canadian and didn't have to take all these ridiculous tests to work for the feds. I put my name in online with my resume, the only test I had to take was an IQ sort of test.
I've been strapped to a polygraph test and it was administered by Los Angeles' most notorious polygraph administrator. I was interviewed prior of the testing, that alone took merely an hour. I was suspected of a "rape" charge and that shit haunted me for 2yrs but it was something that I had honestly no involvement with. The interview was a psychological testing to me but by the time I gotten strapped in, the examiner told me to relax and be calm. I consent to participate to clear my name and I did 7 times for a set of 5-6 questions of simple yes or nos. I passed with flying colors in worrying that I could have lost 15yrs of my life. The polygraph examiner was very nice and offered a sworn statement affidavit for my court hearing that he performed this test on me. Because of the girl lying..., I lost my job, my apartment and my girlfriend. My family were skeptical but knew that I wouldn't do such a thing. The judge at my hearing dropped my case because the girl had no physical evidence against me and her lawyer claimed that it would be "unacceptable" by that point. If it wasn't for that polygraph test and that judge, I know that I would be wrongfully convicted and be somewhere either Folsom or Quentin right now. Since that crap I've been through and being innocent out of the whole thing, still can't hold down a relationship because women treat me as something I'm not. It hurts.
Its probably just too much information. They're probably excluding honest folks who are just nervous, and hiring a lot of psychopaths and sociopaths who know how to lie well.
I get nervous when they put a blood pressure cuff on me @ the Doc's, just thinking my heart rate will go up and my heart rate sky rockets telling the Doc's I suffer from blood pressure due to it being so high at the moment. When I normally don't suffer from high blood pressure.
I took three polygraphs over the course of 14 years. The first time I apparently passed. That one was a training run for people learning how to use the polygraph (I was stationed at Ft. McClellan for basic training, which was/is also apparently where they train people how to use the polygraph. The other two times I failed. I told the truth all three times, but apparently my results came back inconclusive. Therefore, I was denied a law enforcement support job, which was the reason for my taking the other two polygraphs. It is pseudoscience bullshit at best, no different than the "E-meter" Scientology uses on new converts.
I'm going to cut and paste my comment from the top of this thread. You are a perfect example of what I was trying to explain. I am only guessing, but, you seem to have done what I was talking about - you did not get stressed on the first test because there were no consequences to failing - you knew it was just training. When it actually mattered for a job, you got nervous, not because you were lying, but, because you were worried about them thinking you were. "Polygraphs do not detect lies - they detect your body's physiological responses, period. Whether you actually are aware of it or not, you do react to every question, even if very slightly, with changes in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, etc. The bigger the change, the more stress and anxiety you are experiencing. THAT IS THE END OF IT'S RELIABILITY. Why the polygraph is not 100% reliable on lie detection, is because they can not say that the stress and anxiety is caused by you lying, they just assume that is the case. The question bothers you, causes stress and anxiety, therefore, you are lying about it, which is absolutely not the case. It is correct quite often, but nowhere near 100% of the time - it just gives interrogators an idea of what questions to focus on to keep you in the hot seat. If you happen to be a high stress person, you should NEVER take one. I, myself, am the type of person who gets asked a question, and my mind starts thinking "Oh, man, if I blow this question, they're gonna think I am lying, and if they think I am lying, I am not gonna get this job/go to prison and I'll be screwed!" and guess what? That amount of stress looks exactly like a lie! They ask you the control questions in the beginning, name, age, address, what's your mom's name? ...those types of things, to get a baseline - they are not stress inducing, do not cause any real concern, etc. and then they hit you with the real questions, and if there is a big difference in your stress level between the two sets of questions, they conclude you are lying - which, as I already showed you, could be only because you got stressed about being asked the questions in the first place! That is why the polygraph is a bullshit tool."
@@orvil9223 wow very knowledgeable comment I'm skeptical if I ever wanna take a polygraph it seems it can ruin my career and goals of a dream government job that requires poly. I think I may not look for jobs with clearance security that requires poly!
The polygraph is not even detecting "anxiety." It's assuming skin conductance and respiration patterns change as if people immediately start sweating or breathing differently when asked a question that makes them anxious and instantly stop sweating and breathe differently when a question does not make them nervous. The examiners do other things like leave you in the room alone for an awkward amount of time so they can watch if you "act" nervous or do something he or she "feels" is out of place. And look out for the jar full of pens next to you--they all seem to have an absurd amount of pens probably to see if you steal one. If the polygrapher falsely implicates the examinee, he or she has actually done something wrong verses the incorrectly assumed wrongdoing. If there was an instrument that could legitimately measure any human emotion, it would be a major medical breakthrough and psychologists would probably be using it to treat their patients.
Perhaps the polygraph would be more realiable if the polygraph giver takes the test at exactly the same time. In fact, it should not be only the accused who takes the polygraph but also all witnesses and, most mortantly, the judge. The judge should be asked 'do you have a prejudiced opinion about this case'.
Reliance on the Polygraph reminds me of the recent trend in Law Enforcement where they utilize "Drug Recognition Experts." These individuals have been trained to believe that their training is more accurate than Blood Tests.
Great point man. I was a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix and the DRE evaluation process is a joke. The cops administering the tests have no clue how complex this is, pharmacology, underlying health conditions, you name it, their conclusion is lasts what substance the person injected is. Funny enough the labs often come back with something else the person did not say they were taking. Totally unqualified to render what is in essence a medical opinion of impairment versus underlying heart conditions. Excellent point you make!
Having taken a pre-employment polygraph myself, I can attest to the fact that the polygraph is nothing more than an excuse for a coercive interrogation.
I'm actually not a candidate for the polygraph. I have anxiety, an irregular heartbeat, and hyperhidrosis, meaning I sweat too much. On top of that I have a condition that causes chronic pain which can kick in at any moment, which spikes my vitals. So I'll never have to test this but it's interesting nonetheless.
Here's a REAL story about my polygraph experience with Customs and Border Protection for a BPA position: BOTTOM LINE: I went in knowing that polygraphy is JUNK SCIENCE, and this video is exactly right. It was a roughly 4 hour INTERROGATION with MULTIPLE ROUNDS of the same HOSTILE QUESTIONING where I was accused of lying about things that I was not lying about, and NOT being accused of substantive things that I WAS lying about. That's right. I'm not going to feed you unverifiable BULLSHIT that I'm some honest goodie goodie who's never told a lie. I ABSOLUTELY LIED on the test about important things such as FALSIFYING MY APPLICATION, COMMITTING PREVIOUS CRIMES, and a few other things. I was NOT accused of lying about these things. I was, however, accused of lying about TRAFFICKING DRUGS across the border, which I have absolutely never done. So, to summarize I was accused of lying about things that I've never done, and NOT accused of lying about things that I WAS lying about. That's how much of a PSEUDOSCIENCE it is. False positives and false negatives in the same test. Can you get anymore UNRELIABLE than that? I don't think so. If you have a test coming up, DO NOT ADMIT ANYTHING if and when you are CONFRONTED about lying. If you're confronted, they're either A) bluffing, or B) they've made up their mind that you're guilty and you'll never change their mind. They WILL try to COERCE you into admitting you're lying by yelling/getting in your face, so PREPARE for that. I'm glad I was prepared and didn't admit anything, because they'll not only fail you if you do, they MAY PROSECUTE YOU. If you don't believe me, look it up! All of this being said, polygraphs are INCREDIBLY USEFUL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. Not because they're even remotely scientific, but because the whole INTERROGATION process is great for obtaining CONFESSIONS. Lots of people get TRICKED and confess to their lies in the interrogation. That's why governments use polygraphs: to trick unwitting people into confessing. They know it's pseudoscience, but they lie about it because they won't get any more confessions if they admit the truth. Also, they need to fail some people who DON'T CONFESS even though they can't prove they're lying, otherwise passing the test would be as simple as not confessing. Overall it's quite ironic that the existence of the "lie detector" is based on one big lie! LMAO!
+Cameron Alexander Seriously: my hat is off to you for your service to myself, to our nation, to the world, to science, to our freedoms, for fighting back against fascist freeloading polygraphists. Bravo and congratulations on how you CORRECTLY AND PROPERLY handled your artificially created ordeal. I would love to force all police officers and government officials with any sort of uncontrolled power like this to be forced to prove all day the kinds of monumentally difficult mathematical theorems that I prove, or work hard trying to prove, all day.
You are 100% correct. I actually believe that the polygraphers are easily manipulated and biased as they conduct these so-called “test”. I tried to settle trust issue a few years back with an emotionally troubled wife who believed I was having an affair. I knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong and it was my idea and suggestion unfortunately to pay for a polygraph to prove myself to her. I found this Polygraph guy in Porterville, California who is allegedly a retired detective and had all these nice reviews on Google. This guy had two different types, one is called Eye Detect that monitors the pupils for dilation and the other a more traditional sit in the chair with wires and breathing devices attached to monitor. Prior to my “testing”, he interviewed both my wife (at the time) and myself about our concerns. When the “test” were over, he looks at me and tells me that he wishes I hadn’t showed up today because I “failed miserably.” I was stunned and made awoke that moment to what a sick joke the whole experience was. There’s a 60 Minutes episode titled ”Truth and Consequences” with Diane Sawyer. Since I’ve learned more and discovered this episode, it’s quite apparent if you watch it how easily biased the polygraph guys become when conducting their so-called test. Apparently during the prescreen interview, I can assume my wife sounded sincere and broken and I probably came off as some big lug, a heartless husband. Either way, it is pseudo science and BS. That helped to put a big nail in my coffin as far as trying to save my marriage. I believe that The polygraph examiner’s are either complete dorks to do the damage they do to others and believe in what they are doing or they have to be complete narcissist who know exactly what we’re talking about here and don’t give a hoot, to much money 💰 to be made. My instincts tells me the latter of these two scenarios is probably more accurate.
Assuming that the majority of people are not very bright, to say mildly, most of the criminals should also fall into that category. Therefore, polygraph might be a shortcut to help get them off the streets, as opposed to doing actual police work. At the same time, it is useless if they come across someone with a brain. Moreover, it may get innocent people into trouble (back to square one)...
How in the F-ing world does lying about a number compare to the anxiety levels that would be produced by answering a question that you know could change the rest of your life? I believe polygraphs should be illegal.
I know of a felon who passes two applying for law enforcement while 2 persons with decent military background failed cbp being told they didn't pass. Yet they passed for local le.
FOR ALL THE PPL WHO QUESTION THIS GUY HERE,,,,, HIS POINT IS -- "As for polygraphy being an exact (or inexact) science, the fact of the matter is that it is not science at all." SO WHY USE IT AT ALL UNLESS YOU HAVE A TEST YOU CAN BET YOUR LIFE ON . WHY USE IT AT ALL .. I WAS READING ABOUT A TEST THAY ARE DOING WITH MRI RIGHT NOW SEEMS PROMISING
It all serves to make more money for contractors and give agency heads more power. Imagine being the head of a government agency that didn't have secrets and clearance requirements. Even the department of health and human services has clearance requirements. It would be too embarrassing when talking to other agency heads if you weren't as "important" as they were.
What a ridicious statement "we wont share the results with your friends and family". No, I wouldn't expect them to do that. However, would they share the results with law enforcement? Absolutely, and that's what most people would honestly be afraid of.
Thanks George M., nicely produced video. Yeah, I think polygraphs have a lot of problems in discering people's characters and whether or not they will deliberately betray any agency hiring them.
Same shit happened to me twice this week with CBP? They accused me of withholding information and not being truthful because my heart was being fast, and my breathing was off beat!
I have first-hand knowledge that polygraphs do not work. I'm not saying they can never work, but I know personally that they do not work. Thank God I paid for a private polygraph rather than taking a police polygraph. I had agreed to take one and they actually cancelled, saying they were not ready for me. That's when a friend of mine talked me into taking a private one after he read online what a bunch of bulshit they are. When you are suspected of a disgusting crime and are waiting for months to be cleared or charged by the police, that is an incredibly stressful situation. The test will pick up that stress and read it as a lie. My accusations arose, like so many other men, 2 days before a trial in which I would have been granted custody of my daughter, because I had already severed her mother's parental rights in an earlier trial. In the end, all the accusations did was postpone me for 11 months getting custody of my daughter, and take about five years off my life due to the stress. The police are not your friends and neither are polygraphs. The only time I would ever talk to the police is if someone I cared about were missing. Even in that situation I would never take a polygraph
My poly sucked and probably costed me the job. I didn't lie about anything. I admitted to some really really terrible things in the pre interview. So why would I lie about lesser things? So frustrating.
The purpose behind the pseudoscientific polygraph test is to intimidate the applicant during the interrogation so as to make them confess to something that can be used to blackmail the applicant.
I have taken two in my life...one because of a theft in a previous job (money orders went missing and I was being held responsible. Oddly the person I thought took them "recovered" them 3 months later in my office that had already been searched many times....hmmmmmmm, oh yeah, I passed no problem) The last time was for a job about 3 weeks ago....wow, I was exhausted mentally by the time I left. It was only 2 hours, and I "passed" and have my interview for the job next week...wooohoooo.
I think, in our heart of hearts, we all know that the polygraph is "junk science." The problem is, I doubt that the NSA or any other agency that requires a polygraph test will disregard that step in the hiring process because I inform them that the polygraph is not a good tool for detecting deception. Even if I attempt to offer them evidence to that fact. Odds are that my negotiating the legitimacy of polygraph exam might send up more red flags than just taking the test and failing. I suspect that the results are not determined by just the actual polygraph exam itself. I suspect that they are determined by a package of results. Results determined by the exam itself, and less obvious (to the tester) results determined by the Polygraph Examiner's personal thoughts about the general demeanor of the tester before, during, and after the exam. These results my also be observed and recorded by the receptionist, the janitor, and possibly every person the applicant comes in contact with while on the property before they even take the exam. These results would be observed during a time of better relaxation. A time when the tester would be off guard. I'm not saying that the Polygraph is evil, but I am saying that it's nefarious in its very nature. The purpose of the polygraph test is to determine deception. Deception is multi faceted, and the method to determine deception may be just as multi faceted. I assume that the test begins the moment a tester enters the front door of the testing facility, and ends the moment they enter their car in the parking lot because I'm sure that they are under video monitored surveillance at every moment while on the test taking property. Even though we think that the laws apply to everyone equally, I think we all know that the laws apply to the people who enforce the laws differently. What are we supposed to do? Take the NSA or any other Federal Agency to a Civil Court in our hometown if we suspect wrongdoing? It's likely that the verdict would be determined in a Federal Courthouse under a Federal Judge who has a vested interest in finding the NSA (or any other Federal Agency) innocent. Most people who want to fight the results of a polygraph exam probably don't have deep enough pockets to do so successfully. Even if they did, I think we all know that they wouldn't win. Do you think that that's a flawed analysis? If so, why?
I understand that a polygraph does not actually detect lies, but why do law enforcement agencies and some federal agencies, like the FBI, use it in the hiring process?
Since anyone can be deemed to have failed, The polygraph merely gives hiring managers a way to subjectively discriminate and cover it up with "objective" data.
These tests are junk. They don't work and I would strongly advise against ever agreeing to take one. Especially if you're in a criminal situation. These examiners are criminals and these tests were made as a carnival gag, they're just junk
Absolutely bull, a failed poly after 21 years of maintaining a clearance with a squeaky clean record, I lost my job because of a medical condition that affected my test. Then when in the room I told the NCIS guy that him, his test and his entire approach was a crock and that basically if anyone is harming the nation, it’s people like him. Either way, I’m out of a job that I spent my entire life cultivating.
Does someone have (required) to take a polygraph for a job or school? Like for becoming a medical doctor, even med school, working in a hospital. I know government jobs do like trying to be a secret service agent, NSA employee, or somewhere in government.
There's a reason why they are not admissable in court. Its probably a pretty sensitive instrument and im sure it can detect certain reactions from a person but that in no way can be interpreted as a lie or the truth.
I wanted to post this from another video that I thought was dangerous as it determines a persons future and quality of life, there needs to be a campaign against this POS machine and the even bigger POS that operate the machine knowingly : I am currently on federal probation and I am required to take polygraph tests. I have severe anxiety and I over-analyze questions all the time. I have failed many polygraph tests in which I have told the truth, generating false positives. Once I was asked if I had ever possessed a weapon, and I began to wonder how to define a weapon. I thought to myself I had used a kitchen knife, which could be used as a weapon. I answered no and the polygrapher told me I was lying. Many convicts on probation go to jail simply for failing polygraph tests. What's worse is that probation officers trust the polygraph tests as if their accuracy rate is 100%.
If it's an objective instrument it could easily be automated, and there would be no need for an interpreter. Also giving the graph to several different interpreters would result in the same results.
My wife just failed a lie detector and still swears to me she was telling the truth, I've looked up forums and there is a short... very short list of people that fail Polygraphs and say they were telling the truth but failed. I'm in such a tuff spot now, we're about to move out to new places, do I believe her wack story, she told me she's a virgin and 6.5 years later I find out she went to the hotel with her ex 1 time but apparently he couldnt get it up, but lie detector says she was lying. Why would she agree to go to do the test when I double and triple checked that it was ok to go and $660
I am going through basically the same thing right now with a serious live-in girlfriend of 4 years, was planning on marrying. I caught her randomly while she was out of town for just two days during the middle of the week cheating on me the first night she left, the ONLY reason I stumbled upon the situation was because of how she was acting once she arrived at her destination and her actions that night (was MIA for 4 hours, when I finally got her to respond she tried to only communicate through texts. etc.) , I didn't want to believe what my gut was telling me. All my friends said I was insane but I stuck with my gut...3 days later when she got home I had her admit it within an hour, it was a dweeb cook from a bar she worked part time at (keep in mind she was out of town to start a new job in an industry I started her in...). Anyways, this was 3 months ago and she is still adamant, even offered to take a polygraph (she failed), that they didn't have sex because the guy couldn't get hard. I think it's common and just not well known that when a unexpected girlfriend is caught red-handed they will tell their man anything or all details ACCEPT that they had sex and that the guy got off. Let me know if you ever got her to admit it, I haven't!
I took my polygraph today for a Correctional Officer position, and wish I would have seen this video before I took my test. They asked me if I ever took part in an illegal sexual act, and I answered no (truthfully). He then stopped the test and said I wasn't telling the truth,,,next thing I know, were talking about how much I watch pornography...
They're such bullshit. It measures stress. That's it. Stay calm. Don't overthink anything. Just be as calm as possible, and you'll pass even if you're lying your ass off the entire time. I would know. I've passed 3 without issue, and I lied about oh so much.
Accurate info. The polygraph is intended to occasionally force someone to tell the truth when they would otherwise not without the added stress of believing they will be caught by the machine. The polygraph is nothing more than a stress inducer. The "art" is in the examiners questions and the examiner themselves. There is a "Set up" phase where they plant the seed that the machine will catch all lies. The subject believes it and feels added pressure to tell the truth. It does not detect lies it forces the occasional truthful responses. It has it's place but it is a lazy way to question someone. The same effect can be achieved with as little as a facial expression at the right time by an experienced investigator. I dislike polygraphs because they are snake oil for the inexperienced, lazy investigator.
@AntiPolygraph I will be taking a polygraph next week for my probation. I am nervous at the fact that my officer stresses that if i fail i will spend thirty days in jail. If this happens i will get kicked out of school and fired. I know polygraphes are not 100 percent. But i do know there are some of the questions that i would have to lie to pass like if i had a drink or left the county. Im not a bad person and i dont want to jail time for little mistakes how can i beat it?
What happens if as a kid the person got smacked when they told the truth because they had mental parents ? Their communication channels are going tó be so messed up that they probably wont pass when they are being honest. I'm not convinced.
I was asked to take one of these because the police think I sold my own laptop and reported it stolen. Have not heard anything since 3 weeks ago and now view it as a scare tactic hoping I would break down and admit to what his suspicion was. First mistake.. calling the police..
Polygraph is just a machine recording your pulse heart beat resperator y etc..but the examiner is the real one who analize and detect response of the subject whtr u lie or not...tips how to maneuver polygraph first control your emotion keep calm avoid movement avoid sweating deep breathing and leaden carefully to the question of the examiner sometimes their is irrelevant question and don't forget to smile ;)
i never got asked about porn and never heard anyone that got asked that in the 5+ polygraphs I took, lifestyle, fullscope ect, but I did lie about the drug question because I went to Amsterdam once and sparked it up within the seven years on 1 of them, and the first few I was out of college and had done some experimenting. Once i even passed by reversing the question so when they asked have you ever committed espionage, I would ask myself have you ever not committed espionage, and then I would answer the question no (a lie). So basically I was reiterating the inverse question and lying about it. I don't work for these nsa idiots anymore. Once they made me take it a second, I assumed it was some interrogation technique, like get him worried and make him crack. The funny thing is that they always give some prebrief about not lying and then they tell you to lie, like to gauge your lying or whatever. So effectively everybody is breaking their pre-entry promise of not lying. shit who knows maybe the whole thing is to make sure you can lie, lie to the public, because everybody at NSA has the ability to say they wont lie and then lie as instructed.
Everybody should know they're bogus if it's not admissible in court whats the point to take one you might as well confess to a police officer off the Record
Interesting how when you look into the eyes of the polygraph examiners, they all look very indifferent, lacking sympathy, and devoid of emotions. They are all as polite and professional as they can be, but you're really just a number.
if its entirely dependent on the human aspect then it's variable science, it won't always be accurate, but it sometimes is. The machine records variables and changes in a person but the variables would be different person to person so... on a control group of a hundred people how effective is it really?
I agree completely that a polygraph isn't completely reliable, it might not even work at all for certain people, and others can condition themselves to fool it. I wouldn't go as far as to call it "junk science" though. Basically they ask questions and monitor various physiological aspects of a person. It's the same as looking for a tell in a poker player, or trying to read someone's body language.
it's bullshit flat out, nothing more than an EKG of sorts that they believe can tell them if you are lying which is in all respects the tool of a soothsaying. Soon they will come with a tool that will, in their mind, tell them if and when some one will do something or will liking do a thing from crimes to cheating on a spouse.
Didn't aldrich aimes pass the lie detector, even though they asked him if he ever sold sensitive info? Of course, they use poly and lifestyle screening to create a privileged group of extremely high-paying government and contractor jobs. Admin assistants at government contractors can make 90k, 100k or more just for having a clearance. Of course that gets charged to the government agency that those cleared person's hours are billed to. Just to get more tax dollars into private corporations.
Polygraphs are absolutely garbage. I took 2 polygraphs applying for a LEA in the state of Georgia and the first one came up as "inconclusive" and the examiner said that I failed miserably on the second one. I was calm, not thinking, told the 100% truth on every question and did not consciously react (breathing, move around etc) to any question. I attended a major engineering school in the southeast, have a stellar gpa, haven't committed a crime in my life, and also have not experimented with drugs or alcohol, but due to the polygraph, I am apparently a drug dealing, cocaine snorting, gangbanging, murdering criminal. The polygraph is an outright sham.
You are right. The same thing happened to my brother. as technologically advance as the world is the world is still shrouded in ignorance when it comes to polygraph validity and reliability.
Victor Yanez
Doug Kassay
mike7ace Read this guys book on his website, The Lie Behind the Lie Detector. VERY GOOD READ. This book demonstrates why Polygraphy is junk science.
same shit just happened to me. I was almost complete with the selection process for Arizona State Troopers. Little did i know my future aspirations to be a LEO would get ripped off as i was found "inconclusive" on my polygraph because i didn't admit to some personal drug use that never happened and doesn't exist. I was totally honest, hell i over incriminated myself, but i was somewhat nervous and really uncomfortable the whole time.
The examiner alone can make or break one's results and the following circumstances that evolve(s).
I feel u big dawg.
Forensic psychology studies have shown that people are capable of being nervous while providing truthful answers just as much as a non-truthful question.
I am nervous when I'm sleeping 😴
They are not measuring nervousness.
The polygraph ruined my career. For intelligence agencies the polygraph is just a tool for a coercive interrogation.
And the fact that it is not reliable and your information is retained by the government it can be used against you whenever applying to any government agency...LETS SAY YOU TELL THE TRUTH BUT YOU WERE NERVOUS ,STRESS FOR ONE OUT OF A MILLION REASONS AND THEY INTERPRETED THAT FOR A LIE....GUESS WHAT FOR THEM YOU ARE A LIAR and therefore cripple your career...WHEN IN REALITY YOU WEREN'T LYING...
If you are apart of the Intel community and you feel like this is the end of the road; Remember OI and the power of the internet. Think about the skills you've obtained by simply working in Intel. ISR works in all aspects of business as well.
sorry to hear that.
:(
I was talking to my lawyer about completely unrelated matters when I asked him about polygraph tests.
He told me NEVER agree to take one under any circumstance-- even if 100% innocent-- because they are based upon junk science. He cited law articles.
He also said, never talk to the police when suspected of a crime-- without a lawyer present-- even if 100% innocent.
Also a passed polygraph doesn't exonerate a person haha, they'll still consider the person a subject
I was offered a job with the CIA and although I passed the background check, the offer was withdrawn as a result of my polygraph. The thing to keep in mind is that it is not just a lie detector, it's also a stress test to see how you behave and react under pressure. I was young and did not respond well to allegations by my examiner that I was untruthful. It was indeed an interrogation. The thing to keep in mind is that you should NEVER tell anything to a polygraph examiner that you would be uncomfortable telling to your parents. If you fail a question, they don't know if it's because your nervous or because you are being deceitful. BUT, once you admit to something, it's written in STONE. If they get upset and accuse you of deceit, the less you say the better. SAY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO THEIR INQUIRIES. Once you start talking or rambling you can get into trouble. Sit there for three hours and just keep saying that you are being truthful and you are trying to cooperate. It really is more of a game to get you to admit to something, don't fall for it.
So, you're a fucking dope smoking spy? Geeez
The problem with polygraph is that only psychopaths can pass it which means you may be only hiring two types of people. Only people who are extremely rigid and do gooder type and the psychopath. Perhaps that’s why we have the problems with the police we have today.
Failed one recently, and I feel so lost. Now that I have failed I started to do research on why this happened, keeping in mind that I was not lying. From what I have seen I feel like this is a joke. They say these tests should not be the sole deciding factor in the job process yet these agencies hold so much stock in the results of these even though its not 100% reliable. I feel this is irresponsible, peoples jobs are on the line based off of an imperfect system. The worst part is they wont tell me why I failed or what they had issues with. These need to be regulated or not used at all. I have a gun pointed at your family (not real nor intent just an example), 5/6 chambers are empty. Would you trust someones life to a 90% chance? You have no job, family can't eat, no house, stressful marriage, financial issues... sounds like your families life is still on the line.
Alex, sue the bastards.
My wife just failed a lie detector and still swears to me she was telling the truth, I've looked up forums and there is a short... very short list of people that fail Polygraphs and say they were telling the truth but failed. I'm in such a tuff spot now, we're about to move out to new places, do I believe her wack story, she told me she's a virgin and 6.5 years later I find out she went to the hotel with her ex 1 time but apparently he couldnt get it up, but lie detector says she was lying. Why would she agree to go to do the test when I double and triple checked that it was ok to go and $660
Poon, would you tell the truth? assume she is lying and ask yourself if thats enough to ruin what you already have with her, if its a one off then let it slide we can all f-up. also if you have done it too then just accept it. i assume you mean she went to a hotel with her ex while she was married to you?
I'm sorry , but if my wife went to a hotel with her ex while I was with her, I wouldn't need a Polygraph test to know that we are finished!
@@dlc85007 Yo Poon r u still with her to this day ? Btw nice bag workouts.
Here is a true, provable example of polygraph horse crap. As a suspect in an arson case I wished to prove my innocence. I took two polygraph tests and failed them both. They were taken secretly with a highly accredited company, one who I'm sure has ruined many lives and reputations. Thankfully, due to the diligence of the ATF the real arsonist was caught and confessed. Poligraphy caused me great stress, many sleepless nights and much anxiety. I was lucky...are others? Poligraphy should be used only as a parlor game.
I share your miserable experience. I tried to save my marriage and “failed miserably” according to my seasoned examiner. He was even nice enough to tell my wife I was “deceptive”. I am now more educated on the SCAM of the polygraph industry and have learned about Doug Williams polygraph and a very informative 60 Minutes episode with Diane Sawyer from about 1986 where her investigative news team goes undercover and exposes the polygraph industry as completely unreliable and labeling truthful subjects as deceptive to relevant questions. Looking back, my examiner had to know the flaws of his device and makes me convinced a person willing to brand someone as deceptive is a true narcissist when using the polygraph as their bases.
Polygraphs are as reliable as a ouiji board.
I've taken 7 polygraphs in 2 years and failed them all. It's always the same stupid questions. In one test i'm an exam cheater in high school and the next test somewhere else i'm totally innocent of it. I then get asked about drug use and all of a sudden i get told i'm a hard core drug user by the tester. The next test after that with some other polygraph tester i'm totally innocent on that same question only to be guilty of something else on some other stupid question i was innocent of on some other test 3 tests ago. It's always always something. These fucking tests are inconsistent and totally bogus and the people who administer them should be fucking ashamed to even call themselves professionals. I will now never get the job i want due to being blacklisted with virtually all the agencies i wanted to work for. All because i was honest.
I have over 17 years experience as a probation/parole officer, and have far more expertise in criminal behavior than most so-called lie detector professionals. Most felons are sociopaths, and they can easily manipulate a polygraph examiner and a polygraph. Since a sociopath has no remorse nor feelings for others, they feel no stress when taking a polygraph. Honest people don't have those kind of BS skills.
Criminal Justice practitioners claim to have BS detectors, but cops are often the most naive people one will ever meet. Geez, how often have you heard cops calling in "seers" to help them communicate with spirits.
I took one more poly since the last one. It should amuse you somewhat.
The polygraph examiner said his charts detected that i was an adulterer. Turns out he had me mixed up with another applicant who he knew was married and perhaps had some intel on this guys past i'm guessing. When i corrected the examiner that i wasn't this other guy when he got my name wrong during the test, he then restarted the test once he knew he messed up and STILL WENT WITH THAT SAME RESULT. The problem? I was not married and never ever had been. I protested and had the door shut in my face.
I've since given up my dream of getting into law enforcement.
Many years ago, i witnessed an actual polygraph examination of a 19 year-old accused of arson. I knew nothing about polygraphs then. I nearly fell out of my chair when the examiner “tested” the device by having the suspect pick a card from a deck then used the polygraph to determine the card he chose. I didn’t know squat about polygraphs, but i could spot a two bit card trick. I was stunned. The examiner calibrated a “scientific” instrument with a sleight of hand! LOL
From that moment, i knew it was a scam.
It's less a "doesn't want you to know" but rather, "they don't want to tell you, because it would make you less likely to tell the truth."
The whole purpose of the polygraph is just like all lie detectors... to convince the individual that the examiner CAN tell if you're lying, so that you won't lie and risk it.
The polygraph is no better than the person doing the questioning. You don’t beat The Box, you beat the interrogator.
until yesterday i believed totally in the polygraph test. i niavely believed if you were telling the truth you would pass with flying colors. that being said, my husband has been accusing me, berating me and verbally accusing me daily of affairs that havent occurred. i voluntarily scheduled a polygraph test. i insisted on taking it, knowing i was innocent. fully trusting that it would prove to this man that i adore that i have never cheated. the polygraph examiner told us that i failed miserably. i am in complete shock and do not understand this. unfortunately i had not done any research. the polygraph test merely measures your bodies autonomic nervous system in response to questions asked. not in your responses. 40-50% of truthful people fail because their body responds to the question whether it be in fear, in anger, in anxiety or in lying. there is no way to tell that your body responded that way because you are lying.
If you have to take a polygraph to prove to somebody who claims they love you your intentions toward them, you're much better off without them.
That is their issues, their hang ups, their insecurities, their problems. You should never have to take a polygraph test to prove to somebody that your faithful.
The tragedy is many people like myself fail polygraph tests constantly
all while telling nothing but the truth. How this junky pseudo pop
science is allowed to determine the career paths of candidates applying
for jobs is beyond me. My polygraph examiner told me after a test that
i was basically a hard core drug user. Even after disclosing i smoked
pot once one time only 20 years ago. I never got the job and am
blacklisted from reapplying. I spent many years getting degrees and many
more putting myself in the best possible position to land the job i
deserve only to have some asshole with an electronic tarot card reader
decides my fate. I am unemployed and in massive student loan debt due
to law enforcement agencies thinking i lie and won't employ me. A
fucking joke is an understatement. This effectively ruins the potential good livelihoods of honest people
jonnytt11 I have two buddies sitting in jail for drug smuggling. They were caught in a Cessna 210 with 800 pounds of cocaine.
A couple of months before they passed their poligraph for employment in Avianca. soon afterwards they quit to start their other "business".
Start a lawsuit
Quality control process is the next room over, 2 people throwing darts.
*The Facts:*
- As of 11/24/18, the national debt is *$21.784 trillion.*
- According to Catherine Austin Fitts, Assistant Secretary of Housing - Federal Housing Commissioner at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, $21 trillion in taxpayer money has disappeared at the DoD and HUD.
- Unfunded Liabilities exceed $100 trillion.
Am I lying?
If you have ever had a "PANIC ATTACK" , like me, over and over again,
-by simply telling yourself: "dont panic "., .....then what??
The panicking is really stressfull to endure.
I actually panic when I tell myself not to .
It really sucks. I mean, think about it........
I'm not the only one either that has this problem. So do many others..
-no one really seems to notice this wierd disorder or identify it !
Yet, it is real, among many a test taker.
It is common, but seemingly, has not been identified and named.
And it ultimatly affects the polygraph test.
-wrong conclusions are being reached because of this disorder.
You can not ask permission to not-have a panic-attack.
It doesnt work like that.
Just by thinking of not panicking sets off a panic-attack for many..
for me..
This is why I failed it, and that is why many others fail it.
-that does'nt mean the guy is a liar necessarily , but sometimes get's interpreted that way.
It just means,
all of a sudden he or she panics -that they will be blamed for something that they did;
yet reasures themselves, over and over again, to relax, but suddenly panics again and again instead.
over , and over again. Like a vicious cycle.
Welcome to my world. Tell me -a test...and I automatically panic.
That is why many fail a polygraph for no appearant reason.
They have a panic disorder.
It doe'nt really help this disorder
to be put on the spot under a bright lamp.
Thanyou.
Yes your absolutely right and it's impossible to remain still during the test, the chair is uncomfortable, you have this thing wrapped around your chest, arm and fingers.
I always get an itch I can't scratch.
I'm naturally nervous anyway.
They did NOT tell me to relax. He kept telling me "stay nervous, stay nervous. If you try to relax yourself, it will appear as deception and you will fail."
The polygraph itself is not going to tell them whether you're lying or not. The device is there to draw your attention away from the interviewer and focus it on the machine or your own answers. THAT gives the interviewer total freedom to OBSERVE the person and their reactions. Nobody in the NSA gives a damn about the graphs or the paper, it's the interviewer who makes the decision. Oh, and the people behind the camera/mirror.
So glad I'm Canadian and didn't have to take all these ridiculous tests to work for the feds. I put my name in online with my resume, the only test I had to take was an IQ sort of test.
Considering the fact you can reapply to a local agency it's a joke how much weight they have on the selection process
I've been strapped to a polygraph test and it was administered by Los Angeles' most notorious polygraph administrator. I was interviewed prior of the testing, that alone took merely an hour. I was suspected of a "rape" charge and that shit haunted me for 2yrs but it was something that I had honestly no involvement with. The interview was a psychological testing to me but by the time I gotten strapped in, the examiner told me to relax and be calm. I consent to participate to clear my name and I did 7 times for a set of 5-6 questions of simple yes or nos. I passed with flying colors in worrying that I could have lost 15yrs of my life. The polygraph examiner was very nice and offered a sworn statement affidavit for my court hearing that he performed this test on me. Because of the girl lying..., I lost my job, my apartment and my girlfriend. My family were skeptical but knew that I wouldn't do such a thing. The judge at my hearing dropped my case because the girl had no physical evidence against me and her lawyer claimed that it would be "unacceptable" by that point. If it wasn't for that polygraph test and that judge, I know that I would be wrongfully convicted and be somewhere either Folsom or Quentin right now. Since that crap I've been through and being innocent out of the whole thing, still can't hold down a relationship because women treat me as something I'm not. It hurts.
If they treat you like something you are not, stop telling them about the rape shit!
What if you just answer "bloop bloop" for every question? Will some "bloop bloop"s be lies, the other truths?
Its probably just too much information. They're probably excluding honest folks who are just nervous, and hiring a lot of psychopaths and sociopaths who know how to lie well.
great use of our tax dollars
they can't understand depression but they can detect lies? yeah right!
I get nervous when they put a blood pressure cuff on me @ the Doc's, just thinking my heart rate will go up and my heart rate sky rockets telling the Doc's I suffer from blood pressure due to it being so high at the moment. When I normally don't suffer from high blood pressure.
The whole polygraph thing is shocking to me. Are there any organizations devoted to ending this practice in criminal procedure and employee screening?
I took three polygraphs over the course of 14 years. The first time I apparently passed. That one was a training run for people learning how to use the polygraph (I was stationed at Ft. McClellan for basic training, which was/is also apparently where they train people how to use the polygraph. The other two times I failed. I told the truth all three times, but apparently my results came back inconclusive. Therefore, I was denied a law enforcement support job, which was the reason for my taking the other two polygraphs. It is pseudoscience bullshit at best, no different than the "E-meter" Scientology uses on new converts.
I'm going to cut and paste my comment from the top of this thread. You are a perfect example of what I was trying to explain. I am only guessing, but, you seem to have done what I was talking about - you did not get stressed on the first test because there were no consequences to failing - you knew it was just training. When it actually mattered for a job, you got nervous, not because you were lying, but, because you were worried about them thinking you were.
"Polygraphs do not detect lies - they detect your body's physiological responses, period. Whether you actually are aware of it or not, you do react to every question, even if very slightly, with changes in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, etc. The bigger the change, the more stress and anxiety you are experiencing. THAT IS THE END OF IT'S RELIABILITY. Why the polygraph is not 100% reliable on lie detection, is because they can not say that the stress and anxiety is caused by you lying, they just assume that is the case. The question bothers you, causes stress and anxiety, therefore, you are lying about it, which is absolutely not the case. It is correct quite often, but nowhere near 100% of the time - it just gives interrogators an idea of what questions to focus on to keep you in the hot seat.
If you happen to be a high stress person, you should NEVER take one. I, myself, am the type of person who gets asked a question, and my mind starts thinking "Oh, man, if I blow this question, they're gonna think I am lying, and if they think I am lying, I am not gonna get this job/go to prison and I'll be screwed!" and guess what? That amount of stress looks exactly like a lie! They ask you the control questions in the beginning, name, age, address, what's your mom's name? ...those types of things, to get a baseline - they are not stress inducing, do not cause any real concern, etc. and then they hit you with the real questions, and if there is a big difference in your stress level between the two sets of questions, they conclude you are lying - which, as I already showed you, could be only because you got stressed about being asked the questions in the first place! That is why the polygraph is a bullshit tool."
@@orvil9223 wow very knowledgeable comment I'm skeptical if I ever wanna take a polygraph it seems it can ruin my career and goals of a dream government job that requires poly. I think I may not look for jobs with clearance security that requires poly!
Pseudo-science has a "quality control?" lol
The polygraph is not even detecting "anxiety." It's assuming skin conductance and respiration patterns change as if people immediately start sweating or breathing differently when asked a question that makes them anxious and instantly stop sweating and breathe differently when a question does not make them nervous.
The examiners do other things like leave you in the room alone for an awkward amount of time so they can watch if you "act" nervous or do something he or she "feels" is out of place. And look out for the jar full of pens next to you--they all seem to have an absurd amount of pens probably to see if you steal one.
If the polygrapher falsely implicates the examinee, he or she has actually done something wrong verses the incorrectly assumed wrongdoing.
If there was an instrument that could legitimately measure any human emotion, it would be a major medical breakthrough and psychologists would probably be using it to treat their patients.
Perhaps the polygraph would be more realiable if the polygraph giver takes the test at exactly the same time. In fact, it should not be only the accused who takes the polygraph but also all witnesses and, most mortantly, the judge. The judge should be asked 'do you have a prejudiced opinion about this case'.
Reliance on the Polygraph reminds me of the recent trend in Law Enforcement where they utilize "Drug Recognition Experts." These individuals have been trained to believe that their training is more accurate than Blood Tests.
Great point man. I was a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix and the DRE evaluation process is a joke. The cops administering the tests have no clue how complex this is, pharmacology, underlying health conditions, you name it, their conclusion is lasts what substance the person injected is. Funny enough the labs often come back with something else the person did not say they were taking. Totally unqualified to render what is in essence a medical opinion of impairment versus underlying heart conditions. Excellent point you make!
Ingested and what the person says they took
How to not fail the lie detector.. Don't take one
Having taken a pre-employment polygraph myself, I can attest to the fact that the polygraph is nothing more than an excuse for a coercive interrogation.
I'm actually not a candidate for the polygraph. I have anxiety, an irregular heartbeat, and hyperhidrosis, meaning I sweat too much. On top of that I have a condition that causes chronic pain which can kick in at any moment, which spikes my vitals. So I'll never have to test this but it's interesting nonetheless.
Here's a REAL story about my polygraph experience with Customs and Border Protection for a BPA position:
BOTTOM LINE: I went in knowing that polygraphy is JUNK SCIENCE, and this video is exactly right. It was a roughly 4 hour INTERROGATION with MULTIPLE ROUNDS of the same HOSTILE QUESTIONING where I was accused of lying about things that I was not lying about, and NOT being accused of substantive things that I WAS lying about. That's right. I'm not going to feed you unverifiable BULLSHIT that I'm some honest goodie goodie who's never told a lie. I ABSOLUTELY LIED on the test about important things such as FALSIFYING MY APPLICATION, COMMITTING PREVIOUS CRIMES, and a few other things. I was NOT accused of lying about these things. I was, however, accused of lying about TRAFFICKING DRUGS across the border, which I have absolutely never done.
So, to summarize I was accused of lying about things that I've never done, and NOT accused of lying about things that I WAS lying about. That's how much of a PSEUDOSCIENCE it is. False positives and false negatives in the same test. Can you get anymore UNRELIABLE than that? I don't think so.
If you have a test coming up, DO NOT ADMIT ANYTHING if and when you are CONFRONTED about lying. If you're confronted, they're either A) bluffing, or B) they've made up their mind that you're guilty and you'll never change their mind. They WILL try to COERCE you into admitting you're lying by yelling/getting in your face, so PREPARE for that. I'm glad I was prepared and didn't admit anything, because they'll not only fail you if you do, they MAY PROSECUTE YOU. If you don't believe me, look it up!
All of this being said, polygraphs are INCREDIBLY USEFUL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. Not because they're even remotely scientific, but because the whole INTERROGATION process is great for obtaining CONFESSIONS. Lots of people get TRICKED and confess to their lies in the interrogation. That's why governments use polygraphs: to trick unwitting people into confessing. They know it's pseudoscience, but they lie about it because they won't get any more confessions if they admit the truth.
Also, they need to fail some people who DON'T CONFESS even though they can't prove they're lying, otherwise passing the test would be as simple as not confessing.
Overall it's quite ironic that the existence of the "lie detector" is based on one big lie! LMAO!
+Cameron Alexander Seriously: my hat is off to you for your service to myself, to our nation, to the world, to science, to our freedoms, for fighting back against fascist freeloading polygraphists.
Bravo and congratulations on how you CORRECTLY AND PROPERLY handled your artificially created ordeal.
I would love to force all police officers and government officials with any sort of uncontrolled power like this to be forced to prove all day the kinds of monumentally difficult mathematical theorems that I prove, or work hard trying to prove, all day.
You are 100% correct. I actually believe that the polygraphers are easily manipulated and biased as they conduct these so-called “test”. I tried to settle trust issue a few years back with an emotionally troubled wife who believed I was having an affair. I knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong and it was my idea and suggestion unfortunately to pay for a polygraph to prove myself to her. I found this Polygraph guy in Porterville, California who is allegedly a retired detective and had all these nice reviews on Google. This guy had two different types, one is called Eye Detect that monitors the pupils for dilation and the other a more traditional sit in the chair with wires and breathing devices attached to monitor. Prior to my “testing”, he interviewed both my wife (at the time) and myself about our concerns. When the “test” were over, he looks at me and tells me that he wishes I hadn’t showed up today because I “failed miserably.” I was stunned and made awoke that moment to what a sick joke the whole experience was. There’s a 60 Minutes episode titled ”Truth and Consequences” with Diane Sawyer. Since I’ve learned more and discovered this episode, it’s quite apparent if you watch it how easily biased the polygraph guys become when conducting their so-called test. Apparently during the prescreen interview, I can assume my wife sounded sincere and broken and I probably came off as some big lug, a heartless husband. Either way, it is pseudo science and BS. That helped to put a big nail in my coffin as far as trying to save my marriage. I believe that The polygraph examiner’s are either complete dorks to do the damage they do to others and believe in what they are doing or they have to be complete narcissist who know exactly what we’re talking about here and don’t give a hoot, to much money 💰 to be made. My instincts tells me the latter of these two scenarios is probably more accurate.
Assuming that the majority of people are not very bright, to say mildly, most of the criminals should also fall into that category. Therefore, polygraph might be a shortcut to help get them off the streets, as opposed to doing actual police work.
At the same time, it is useless if they come across someone with a brain.
Moreover, it may get innocent people into trouble (back to square one)...
How in the F-ing world does lying about a number compare to the anxiety levels that would be produced by answering a question that you know could change the rest of your life? I believe polygraphs should be illegal.
just took an NSA polygraph 2 weeks ago and it's unbelievable how spot on this video was. What a fucking joke the polygraph is.
Something that stands out, in this video, is the glassy eyed stare of the NSA people. What one typically expects in a cult.
I know of a felon who passes two applying for law enforcement while 2 persons with decent military background failed cbp being told they didn't pass. Yet they passed for local le.
LosRioDelMar yea. I think like 60% fail CBP. There was a pilot who flew Marine 1 for the president.....and he failed the CBP poly
You were on Penn and Teller, right?
Yes, I was: antipolygraph.org/cgi-bin/forums/YaBB.pl?num=1247844645
FOR ALL THE PPL WHO QUESTION THIS GUY HERE,,,,, HIS POINT IS -- "As for polygraphy being an exact (or inexact) science, the fact of the matter is that it is not science at all." SO WHY USE IT AT ALL UNLESS YOU HAVE A TEST YOU CAN BET YOUR LIFE ON . WHY USE IT AT ALL .. I WAS READING ABOUT A TEST THAY ARE DOING WITH MRI RIGHT NOW SEEMS PROMISING
Polygraphs are a perfect excuse to hold somebody prisoner for a longer time. I see no other reason why that industry is protected this much.
It all serves to make more money for contractors and give agency heads more power.
Imagine being the head of a government agency that didn't have secrets and clearance requirements. Even the department of health and human services has clearance requirements. It would be too embarrassing when talking to other agency heads if you weren't as "important" as they were.
What a ridicious statement "we wont share the results with your friends and family". No, I wouldn't expect them to do that. However, would they share the results with law enforcement? Absolutely, and that's what most people would honestly be afraid of.
Thanks George M., nicely produced video. Yeah, I think polygraphs have a lot of problems in discering people's characters and whether or not they will deliberately betray any agency hiring them.
If they repeat questions, then you are more likely to be caught in a "lie". If the polygraphs worked, they wouldn't need to do it a second time!
Are the interrogators culpable or naive?
Same shit happened to me twice this week with CBP? They accused me of withholding information and not being truthful because my heart was being fast, and my breathing was off beat!
Jordan Pryor Hey Jordan, they let you retake the polygraph after you failed the first one? If so how long after the first one?
I have first-hand knowledge that polygraphs do not work. I'm not saying they can never work, but I know personally that they do not work. Thank God I paid for a private polygraph rather than taking a police polygraph. I had agreed to take one and they actually cancelled, saying they were not ready for me. That's when a friend of mine talked me into taking a private one after he read online what a bunch of bulshit they are. When you are suspected of a disgusting crime and are waiting for months to be cleared or charged by the police, that is an incredibly stressful situation. The test will pick up that stress and read it as a lie. My accusations arose, like so many other men, 2 days before a trial in which I would have been granted custody of my daughter, because I had already severed her mother's parental rights in an earlier trial. In the end, all the accusations did was postpone me for 11 months getting custody of my daughter, and take about five years off my life due to the stress. The police are not your friends and neither are polygraphs. The only time I would ever talk to the police is if someone I cared about were missing. Even in that situation I would never take a polygraph
My poly sucked and probably costed me the job. I didn't lie about anything. I admitted to some really really terrible things in the pre interview. So why would I lie about lesser things? So frustrating.
The purpose behind the pseudoscientific polygraph test is to intimidate the applicant during the interrogation so as to make them confess to something that can be used to blackmail the applicant.
I have taken two in my life...one because of a theft in a previous job (money orders went missing and I was being held responsible. Oddly the person I thought took them "recovered" them 3 months later in my office that had already been searched many times....hmmmmmmm, oh yeah, I passed no problem) The last time was for a job about 3 weeks ago....wow, I was exhausted mentally by the time I left. It was only 2 hours, and I "passed" and have my interview for the job next week...wooohoooo.
I think, in our heart of hearts, we all know that the polygraph is "junk science." The problem is, I doubt that the NSA or any other agency that requires a polygraph test will disregard that step in the hiring process because I inform them that the polygraph is not a good tool for detecting deception. Even if I attempt to offer them evidence to that fact. Odds are that my negotiating the legitimacy of polygraph exam might send up more red flags than just taking the test and failing. I suspect that the results are not determined by just the actual polygraph exam itself. I suspect that they are determined by a package of results. Results determined by the exam itself, and less obvious (to the tester) results determined by the Polygraph Examiner's personal thoughts about the general demeanor of the tester before, during, and after the exam. These results my also be observed and recorded by the receptionist, the janitor, and possibly every person the applicant comes in contact with while on the property before they even take the exam. These results would be observed during a time of better relaxation. A time when the tester would be off guard. I'm not saying that the Polygraph is evil, but I am saying that it's nefarious in its very nature. The purpose of the polygraph test is to determine deception. Deception is multi faceted, and the method to determine deception may be just as multi faceted. I assume that the test begins the moment a tester enters the front door of the testing facility, and ends the moment they enter their car in the parking lot because I'm sure that they are under video monitored surveillance at every moment while on the test taking property.
Even though we think that the laws apply to everyone equally, I think we all know that the laws apply to the people who enforce the laws differently. What are we supposed to do? Take the NSA or any other Federal Agency to a Civil Court in our hometown if we suspect wrongdoing? It's likely that the verdict would be determined in a Federal Courthouse under a Federal Judge who has a vested interest in finding the NSA (or any other Federal Agency) innocent. Most people who want to fight the results of a polygraph exam probably don't have deep enough pockets to do so successfully. Even if they did, I think we all know that they wouldn't win.
Do you think that that's a flawed analysis? If so, why?
I understand that a polygraph does not actually detect lies, but why do law enforcement agencies and some federal agencies, like the FBI, use it in the hiring process?
Since anyone can be deemed to have failed, The polygraph merely gives hiring managers a way to subjectively discriminate and cover it up with "objective" data.
These tests are junk. They don't work and I would strongly advise against ever agreeing to take one. Especially if you're in a criminal situation. These examiners are criminals and these tests were made as a carnival gag, they're just junk
9:16 Toby Flenderson's 3rd brother, Joey, was polygraphed by the NSA
Lol
shouldn't they ontop of that, record like... facial expressions and movements of the eye whilst taking the tests?
I was gonna say if it was 100% accurate, then why the opportunity for other chances? Is there data on how many people's results have changed?
Absolutely bull, a failed poly after 21 years of maintaining a clearance with a squeaky clean record, I lost my job because of a medical condition that affected my test. Then when in the room I told the NCIS guy that him, his test and his entire approach was a crock and that basically if anyone is harming the nation, it’s people like him. Either way, I’m out of a job that I spent my entire life cultivating.
Does someone have (required) to take a polygraph for a job or school? Like for becoming a medical doctor, even med school, working in a hospital. I know government jobs do like trying to be a secret service agent, NSA employee, or somewhere in government.
No, you are not required to, but, coincidentally enough, you won't get the job.
There's a reason why they are not admissable in court. Its probably a pretty sensitive instrument and im sure it can detect certain reactions from a person but that in no way can be interpreted as a lie or the truth.
I wanted to post this from another video that I thought was dangerous as it determines a persons future and quality of life, there needs to be a campaign against this POS machine and the even bigger POS that operate the machine knowingly : I am currently on federal probation and I am required to take polygraph tests. I have severe anxiety and I over-analyze questions all the time. I have failed many polygraph tests in which I have told the truth, generating false positives. Once I was asked if I had ever possessed a weapon, and I began to wonder how to define a weapon. I thought to myself I had used a kitchen knife, which could be used as a weapon. I answered no and the polygrapher told me I was lying. Many convicts on probation go to jail simply for failing polygraph tests. What's worse is that probation officers trust the polygraph tests as if their accuracy rate is 100%.
If it's an objective instrument it could easily be automated, and there would be no need for an interpreter. Also giving the graph to several different interpreters would result in the same results.
My wife just failed a lie detector and still swears to me she was telling the truth, I've looked up forums and there is a short... very short list of people that fail Polygraphs and say they were telling the truth but failed. I'm in such a tuff spot now, we're about to move out to new places, do I believe her wack story, she told me she's a virgin and 6.5 years later I find out she went to the hotel with her ex 1 time but apparently he couldnt get it up, but lie detector says she was lying. Why would she agree to go to do the test when I double and triple checked that it was ok to go and $660
I am going through basically the same thing right now with a serious live-in girlfriend of 4 years, was planning on marrying. I caught her randomly while she was out of town for just two days during the middle of the week cheating on me the first night she left, the ONLY reason I stumbled upon the situation was because of how she was acting once she arrived at her destination and her actions that night (was MIA for 4 hours, when I finally got her to respond she tried to only communicate through texts. etc.) , I didn't want to believe what my gut was telling me. All my friends said I was insane but I stuck with my gut...3 days later when she got home I had her admit it within an hour, it was a dweeb cook from a bar she worked part time at (keep in mind she was out of town to start a new job in an industry I started her in...). Anyways, this was 3 months ago and she is still adamant, even offered to take a polygraph (she failed), that they didn't have sex because the guy couldn't get hard. I think it's common and just not well known that when a unexpected girlfriend is caught red-handed they will tell their man anything or all details ACCEPT that they had sex and that the guy got off. Let me know if you ever got her to admit it, I haven't!
And the test says you are not the father.
Look at the big picture: the lives that the polygraph has ruined. Someone has to do it.
When took the test they said you failed. The computer give the score if you mad or upset or irritated or move you failed polygraph is a yoke
Soooo I can’t watch porn?
I took my polygraph today for a Correctional Officer position, and wish I would have seen this video before I took my test. They asked me if I ever took part in an illegal sexual act, and I answered no (truthfully). He then stopped the test and said I wasn't telling the truth,,,next thing I know, were talking about how much I watch pornography...
A great book about polygraphs is The Polygraphist. It's a novel, but it tells you all the tricks they use. It's on Amazon.
They're such bullshit. It measures stress. That's it. Stay calm. Don't overthink anything. Just be as calm as possible, and you'll pass even if you're lying your ass off the entire time. I would know. I've passed 3 without issue, and I lied about oh so much.
can you get charged, or convicted during a polygraph while trying to apply for a cop?
Only if you say something incriminating during the pre- or post-test interviews
Accurate info. The polygraph is intended to occasionally force someone to tell the truth when they would otherwise not without the added stress of believing they will be caught by the machine. The polygraph is nothing more than a stress inducer. The "art" is in the examiners questions and the examiner themselves. There is a "Set up" phase where they plant the seed that the machine will catch all lies. The subject believes it and feels added pressure to tell the truth. It does not detect lies it forces the occasional truthful responses. It has it's place but it is a lazy way to question someone. The same effect can be achieved with as little as a facial expression at the right time by an experienced investigator. I dislike polygraphs because they are snake oil for the inexperienced, lazy investigator.
@AntiPolygraph I will be taking a polygraph next week for my probation. I am nervous at the fact that my officer stresses that if i fail i will spend thirty days in jail. If this happens i will get kicked out of school and fired. I know polygraphes are not 100 percent. But i do know there are some of the questions that i would have to lie to pass like if i had a drink or left the county. Im not a bad person and i dont want to jail time for little mistakes how can i beat it?
What happens if as a kid the person got smacked when they told the truth because they had mental parents ? Their communication channels are going tó be so messed up that they probably wont pass when they are being honest. I'm not convinced.
is there a polygraph can read people's mind?
George Maschke knows his shit. He has a wealth of knowledge.
It’s an anxiety test that’s all
I failed and told the truth 🤷♂️
Me too
I was asked to take one of these because the police think I sold my own laptop and reported it stolen. Have not heard anything since 3 weeks ago and now view it as a scare tactic hoping I would break down and admit to what his suspicion was. First mistake.. calling the police..
Polygraph is just a machine recording your pulse heart beat resperator y etc..but the examiner is the real one who analize and detect response of the subject whtr u lie or not...tips how to maneuver polygraph first control your emotion keep calm avoid movement avoid sweating deep breathing and leaden carefully to the question of the examiner sometimes their is irrelevant question and don't forget to smile ;)
I don't want to get anal ized. Now, if it is just analyzed, I would be ok with that.
Penn and Teller's Bullshit did an episode about this.
“I confess I was the 2nd gunman on the grassy knoll”- Ace Ventura
Say what you want or believe. I took five lifestyle polys in my 37 yrs in the IC, never had any issues during any of them.
Congratulations. You were fortunate.
@ap_org Yes i was. I've known more than a few who had their poly go off the rails.
People who take poly in different language than their first language pass with no problems. Seen it multiple times.
What if the truth is a traumatic event? Yeah, relax, be calm.
i never got asked about porn and never heard anyone that got asked that in the 5+ polygraphs I took, lifestyle, fullscope ect, but I did lie about the drug question because I went to Amsterdam once and sparked it up within the seven years on 1 of them, and the first few I was out of college and had done some experimenting. Once i even passed by reversing the question so when they asked have you ever committed espionage, I would ask myself have you ever not committed espionage, and then I would answer the question no (a lie). So basically I was reiterating the inverse question and lying about it. I don't work for these nsa idiots anymore. Once they made me take it a second, I assumed it was some interrogation technique, like get him worried and make him crack. The funny thing is that they always give some prebrief about not lying and then they tell you to lie, like to gauge your lying or whatever. So effectively everybody is breaking their pre-entry promise of not lying. shit who knows maybe the whole thing is to make sure you can lie, lie to the public, because everybody at NSA has the ability to say they wont lie and then lie as instructed.
Everybody should know they're bogus if it's not admissible in court whats the point to take one you might as well confess to a police officer off the Record
Interesting how when you look into the eyes of the polygraph examiners, they all look very indifferent, lacking sympathy, and devoid of emotions. They are all as polite and professional as they can be, but you're really just a number.
if its entirely dependent on the human aspect then it's variable science, it won't always be accurate, but it sometimes is. The machine records variables and changes in a person but the variables would be different person to person so... on a control group of a hundred people how effective is it really?
I agree completely that a polygraph isn't completely reliable, it might not even work at all for certain people, and others can condition themselves to fool it. I wouldn't go as far as to call it "junk science" though. Basically they ask questions and monitor various physiological aspects of a person. It's the same as looking for a tell in a poker player, or trying to read someone's body language.
it's bullshit flat out, nothing more than an EKG of sorts that they believe can tell them if you are lying which is in all respects the tool of a soothsaying. Soon they will come with a tool that will, in their mind, tell them if and when some one will do something or will liking do a thing from crimes to cheating on a spouse.
Truth is treason in the Empire of Lies.
Didn't aldrich aimes pass the lie detector, even though they asked him if he ever sold sensitive info?
Of course, they use poly and lifestyle screening to create a privileged group of extremely high-paying government and contractor jobs. Admin assistants at government contractors can make 90k, 100k or more just for having a clearance. Of course that gets charged to the government agency that those cleared person's hours are billed to.
Just to get more tax dollars into private corporations.
It might works for some people but definitely not for everyone
Exactly! So if you're innocent---do NOT consent to a polygraph test! There was even a side article about this in my intro psychology college textbook!
Unfortunately George Maschke isn't exactly a paragon of openness and tolerance either !
9 members of the NSA saw this and disliked! LOL
can a person make up a lie then go take the test on their own and still pass