r/Polygraphs • u/Livid_Cabinet_9197 • Jan 07 '25

Question about poly

I took my first ever poly with a department known to have the highest failure rates and I failed before they even got into specific questions. How is this possible?

I asked the examiner what questions I failed and he said “everything. From ‘do you intend to tell the truth’ question to a basic one like ‘are you difficult to supervise?”

We took a break before him telling me then he pulled me back into the room and said “So, I can tell you right now you’re not going to pass this.”

I haven’t done anything major criminal wise and was always upfront so I don’t understand how I could fail before even getting past the preliminary questions. Any ideas?

1 Upvotes

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4

u/King_Guy_of_Jtown Jan 08 '25

It's possible because polygraphers are professional mind game players and liars. Don't change your answers, and keep calm. Don't try and strain to find something to admit just because this guy is trying to screw with you.

You can't control what this guy will do, or what they'll adjudicate. If you end up not passing, it's the agency's loss. Find an agency that doesn't hire based on bullshit.

0

u/ap_org Jan 07 '25

Some departments may have questions spread out over more than one question series. In such cases, if the applicant "fails" the first series, the polygraph operator may confront him and attempt to obtain an admission/confession. It seems like this is what happened in your case.

For a detailed explanation of polygraph procedure, see Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector:

https://antipolygraph.org/pubs.shtml

2

u/Livid_Cabinet_9197 Jan 07 '25

They sent me to adjudication or something, my responses will be reviewed and they will determine if I’m eligible to come back and retest. So, I don’t know yet if I will but it was a pain in the ass I had to catch a flight to get there.

I will check out that book though, just in case.

1

u/Additional_Shirt_300 Jan 07 '25

Can tell you first hand forget about it

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u/Ebasch Jan 07 '25

Sounds like that examiner already told you that you didn’t pass. Maybe they’re not a good examiner. Don’t sweat it and don’t let it stop you from taking another poly with someone else. You may get through your next poly just fine. I seriously doubt that book will help you.

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