Polygraph Questions

[G17GUY]

Pseudoscience

"Did you know:
The consensus view among scientists is that polygraph testing has no scientific basis?
The FBI considered the creator of the lie detector test to be a phony and a crackpot?
The man who started the CIA's polygraph program thinks that plants can read human thoughts?
The foremost polygraph advocate in academia was discredited by a federal judge? "

http://antipolygraph.org/lie-behind-the-lie-detector.pdf

[holyhandgrenade]

Pseudoscience

"Did you know:
The consensus view among scientists is that polygraph testing has no scientific basis?
The FBI considered the creator of the lie detector test to be a phony and a crackpot?
The man who started the CIA's polygraph program thinks that plants can read human thoughts?
The foremost polygraph advocate in academia was discredited by a federal judge? "

http://antipolygraph.org/lie-behind-...e-detector.pdf

Whether it is or not is irrelevant. They are going to continue to use it, and any one who wants to be a LEO needs to pass it.

[fullrearview]

What about the CVSA???

is there any proof that this works, or is it a toss up?

[SVT-40]

What about the CVSA???

is there any proof that this works, or is it a toss up?

Some smaller agencies use the CVSA instead of the poly, as they can get the computer equipment and train an in house operator. My wife is a CVSA trained detective and does some background tests.

I've taken a CVSA for training. It was able to tell when I was being deceptive.

[BuisJoel]

Whether it is or not is irrelevant. They are going to continue to use it, and any one who wants to be a LEO needs to pass it.

x2

People can piss and moan all they want, at the end of the day if you want to be a LEO, you got to take it.
To the OP... Ive taken it twice. The first time i was scared out of my mind simply because i didnt know what to expect. The second time i was completely fine until they hooked me up. Felt like it was my first time again. I passed both but thought i had failed each time because i was so nervous. I was being 100% honest but could feel my heart pounding and skip a beat every now and again, BUT the two who gave the test were able to see through it. Just sit back and try to relax, tell the truth and be respectful.

[ilbob]

x2
be respectful.

That is one of the keys. If the operator takes a dislike to you, it is certain you will fail.

[tigerhui]

What about the CVSA???

is there any proof that this works, or is it a toss up?

I took a CVSA at my previous agency where I thought it was an effective test. I recently took a polygraph where the examiner suggested that I look it up on youtube.

Here's what I found:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr3E_2KTxI0

I thought it was rather interesting.

[fullrearview]

Some smaller agencies use the CVSA instead of the poly, as they can get the computer equipment and train an in house operator. My wife is a CVSA trained detective and does some background tests.

I've taken a CVSA for training. It was able to tell when I was being deceptive.

I did the CVSA and passed....was just wondering if it was 100% accurate.

[fullrearview]

I took a CVSA at my previous agency where I thought it was an effective test. I recently took a polygraph where the examiner suggested that I look it up on youtube.

Here's what I found:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr3E_2KTxI0

I thought it was rather interesting.

After watching that video who knows! I still don't get how stress equates to lying. Everyone is stressed out during those.

[gun_noob]

Polygraphs belongs with Phrenology and Eugenics. Polygraphs are non-scientifically, all of their measurements do not mean anything. The measurements are qualitative interpenetrated which makes this practice no good. A sociopath can pass then tests easy as pie an honest person with nerves can fail. Not to mention the people who pass the test who "become" bad cops.

Post Scrip: Please do not site Myth Brothers they are not an accepted academic resource, their methods are more sensational than scientific.

[ilbob]

Polygraphs belongs with Phrenology and Eugenics. Polygraphs are non-scientifically, all of their measurements do not mean anything. The measurements are qualitative interpenetrated which makes this practice no good. A sociopath can pass then tests easy as pie an honest person with nerves can fail. Not to mention the people who pass the test who "become" bad cops.

Its not quite that bad. Its a useful interrogation tool, if only to fool people that think it works into confessing.

The biggest problem is the high number of false positives and the subjective nature of the evaluation of the results. Its not unusual for two experienced examiners to disagree on the results of a test.

[G17GUY]

and any one who wants to be a LEO needs to pass it.

Maybe you should tell this to the departments that don't require it.

[11Z50]

I'll give you a couple, but it has been decades since I took any, so I'm sure others will chime in with more.

1. Have you used drugs, what kind, how recently.

2. Have you ever committed a crime, what type, were you convicted.

I am certainly not accusing you of being a liar, so take the following as just general info. Answer truthfully to all questions. Sometimes, applicants will lie about something, tho the thing they were lying about would not have DQ'd them.

The lying, no matter how slight, will get you disqualified in a heartbeat. When you apply at another agency, they will find out you had been DQ'd and they will also DQ you. So be honest from the get go.

Good luck.

Retred, I have to disagree with you on this one.....

I have been involved in quite a few polys, and they can only ask one question at a time.

Q: Have you used illicit drugs?
A: yes or no
Q: Have you lied about your statement/application?
A: yes or no
Q: Have you ever seen bweise in a thong?
A: OMG! I sold him a Dillon 650!!!!!

[retired]

^

[mlancaster]

So just to get this straight......if I admit to a crime I'm screwed