Polygraph Questions

[retired]

I asked this once before several months ago in a similiar thread, but did not get an answer. Back in 1978-79 I applied to the 3 biggest LE Agencies in CA. I was not administered a polygraph, nor were any of my fellow applicants. Polygraphs were however, in great use then. When did this start? Do all CA LE Agencies use this to screen their applicants?

LASD administered a poly to me when I was going thru the process in 1976. I would like to think I wasn't the only applicant given that poly.

[Fire in the Hole]

And yet I came on LASO only a couple of years or so behind you, and no polygraph for me or the other applicants. Hmm... I can't believe it was due to my honest face.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

"Did you lie or omit anything in your application about ____________?"

Oddly enough, I remember that question most as when the examiner asked me that question about my military record, all the indicators hit the top of the scale.

To say that I had no love for the U.S. Navy at the time would have been an understatement. I figured that was it... the examiner looked up and said something like, "Hated the military, didn't you?", and went on questioning. He was right.

[Soldier415]

They ask you questions about illegal activity, so say you tell the truth, essentially admitting to illegal activity..can they then prosecute you for that or is it inadmissable in court?

[Fire in the Hole]

They ask you questions about illegal activity, so say you tell the truth, essentially admitting to illegal activity..can they then prosecute you for that or is it inadmissable in court?

That's specifically what the 5th ammendment is for.

[ilbob]

I remember seeing an episode of Bull**** recently that basically showed that polygraphs are BS. I guess they help weed out the really bad liars? I bet any seasoned politician could beat them quite easily.

The real problem with using polygraphs as a screening tool is the high false positive rate. It kind of depends on who you believe, but it appears something like 10% of the lies it detects aren't lies.

It works best on people who think it is infallible. In many ways, it is just a tool the operator uses to fool you into confessing.

[retired]

The OP asked what type of questions and for examples of same, that would be on the polygraph exam. He did not ask for ways to circumvent the polygraph.

Explanations of false positives, the scientific accuracy, etc. are fine. For those of you who are asking of or suggesting ways of beating it and have not caught on yet even after the post deletions: Don't do it.

Those type of posts will be deleted.

[jamespres2001]

Mythbusters should have had them do the test on a veteran politician.

"Ms Feinstein, do you think everyone should be able to have full auto AK's if they want one?"

"YES" and see if the machine explodes.

1) Only works if you feel something about the questions. (I have heard Psychopaths tests are backwards. Don't know if this is true.

2) Mr President "Are you now, or have you ever been a member of an organization that has professed to overthrow the U.S.A." (See #1 above)

O.K. Sorry, I know the OP is serious, so just continue and I'll keep my keyboard quiet.

[kwest10]

are they just looking for false positives or HOW you answer the question?
What if you were in highschool at 18 years of age, have a girlfried that is 17 and had sex and you answer yes?

[Fire in the Hole]

are they just looking for false positives or HOW you answer the question?
What if you were in highschool at 18 years of age, have a girlfried that is 17 and had sex and you answer yes?

It's Carnal Knowlege, but if less than 3 years age difference; it's a misdemeanor.

261.5 (a) P.C. Unlawful sexual intercourse is an act of sexual
intercourse accomplished with a person who is not the spouse of the
perpetrator, if the person is a minor. For the purposes of this
section, a "minor" is a person under the age of 18 years and an
"adult" is a person who is at least 18 years of age.
(b) Any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual
intercourse with a minor who is not more than three years older or
three years younger than the perpetrator, is guilty of a misdemeanor.


This of and by itself, should usualy be able to be explained, rationalized, and excused by a department.

[holyhandgrenade]

They ask you questions about illegal activity, so say you tell the truth, essentially admitting to illegal activity..can they then prosecute you for that or is it inadmissable in court?

I was wondering the same thing when I was filling out my PIQ...

Just decided to answer everything truthfully and hope I didnt get into any trouble...

[johnthomas]

How true this is, I don't know. One of my friends said he was asking questions to a guy trying to get on the PD. He asked if this kid had ever stole anything, the kid said yes. My friends said lately? The kid said, yesterday. My friend said what did you steal ? The kid said the shoes I am wearing for the interview, lol.

[Casual Observer]

It's Carnal Knowlege, but if less than 3 years age difference; it's a misdemeanor.

261.5 (a) P.C. Unlawful sexual intercourse is an act of sexual
intercourse accomplished with a person who is not the spouse of the
perpetrator, if the person is a minor. For the purposes of this
section, a "minor" is a person under the age of 18 years and an
"adult" is a person who is at least 18 years of age.
(b) Any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual
intercourse with a minor who is not more than three years older or
three years younger than the perpetrator, is guilty of a misdemeanor.


This of and by itself, should usualy be able to be explained, rationalized, and excused by a department.

This is something I ran into personally. When I was in my 2nd year in college, I was dating a girl who was in her first year. I was 19 and she was 17 when she started sleeping over. She turned 18 about 3 months later. I was honest with the facts and it was excused.

However, it depends on the department how many / what type of offenses you get a pass on.

[RolinThundr]

Polygraphs just measure blood pressure, pulse, respiration, breathing rhythms, body temperature and skin conductivity. The idea is when you lie or get pressured these measures will change. They have control questions to get an idea of what blood pressure, pulse, etc is like while you are relaxed (I couldn't get relaxed, if that thing was attached to me) and then they hit you with the questions.

I've had a couple of polygraphs before, I get nervous just being attached to all that stuff and I have no intentions of lying. Polygraphs measure the physiological components of the body's "fight or flight" response. This response kicks in for both physical and mental stressors, such as lying and deceiving. I imagine that if lying and deceiving were a part of your daily work (spy, politician, spec ops) you'd be able to keep your cool.

Mythbusters should have had them do the test on a veteran politician.

"Ms Feinstein, do you think everyone should be able to have full auto AK's if they want one?"

"YES" and see if the machine explodes.

Not a good test question, everyone knows the answer to that one. You could use it to establish a baseline. This is the question for her:

"Ms Feinstein, have you been using your political influence to aid your husband's business with defense contracts?"

That's specifically what the 5th ammendment is for.

I am no lawyer, so I could be wrong, but I believe the 5th Amendment only helps you before you admit to anything. Once you've admitted to something the 5A only serves to stonewall an investigation.

[Jwood562]

Mine was a series of six questions. then they did it 3 times asking the questions in different order (the same questions though).

And they come from you backround packet.

they are simple yes no questions.

after a few base questions to establish a rythem they get to the test:

have u stolen anything?
besides what you have told the backround investigators is there anyother drug use?
have you paid for sex?
etc etc etc. then they repeat a couple more times with about 30 seconds between questions. nerveracking to say the least even if you are a clean applicant