posted 01-16-2000 12:30 PM            

It's best to be completely honest when taking a polygraph exam. A good examiner will almost always catch you in a lie.

Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on Mr. Williams' course unless he could supply you with the names of 25 or more people who would be willing to tell you how well his technique worked for them. Frankly, Having done polygraph research myself, I know that it is next to impossible to defeat a first rate polygraph examiner. Talk to five or ten of Mr. Williams' "success stories" before you spend your money.

From another point of view, I don't think it's a good idea to base a new relationship (with an employer) on a lie. It may come back to haunt you. I myself would never be comfortable in such a position. You may be pleasantly surprised what could happen if you are totally honest.

posted 02-09-2000 01:27 PM            

Of course, some techniques work better than others and some well trained polygraph examiners are able to tell when a person is trying to manipulate their exam.

As an experienced law enforcement officer, I can assure you that there is a plethora of examiners in police departments across the U.S., who, because of inconsistent practice and refresher training, identify dishonest people as being truthful and vice versa.

Remember....the polygraph is an inexact science. It is approximately 85 % accurate and does not detect lies! It only measures physiological responses.

Although many will not tell you this, polygraph exams are specifically used to perform successful interrogations via the perceived intimidation of the testing instrument.

Mr. Rovner gave you some excellent advice. It is always best to be honest and as a person seeking employment with a police department, integrity is essential.

Just for your information however, it is possible via a variety of countermeasures,to manipulate the results of a polygraph in your favor.

Dr. C. Honts has done some interesting research on this topic along with others. Their conclusions show that polygraph examinations or better stated, some examiners can be beat by the approperiate use of mental and physiological countermeasures.

[This message has been edited by KD (edited 02-09-2000).]

posted 02-09-2000 02:24 PM            

Since he is not an expert, what we are reading is an opinion of someone who has no real professional knowledge of polygraph techniques.

posted 03-14-2000 01:10 PM            

In addition to the comments already made by others about being truthful, let me share something with you about pre-employment testing.

I test people all the time who want to work for my department, so I know what I'm talking about here.

Many times, someone conceals something from me in an attempt to "beat" me. After their deceptive results and an interrogation, they usually fess up.

Many times, what they were concealing wouldn't have excluded them from employment if they would have just told me the truth to begin with. But, if I have to "work" it out of them after their poly, we won't hire them.

The point is this, most departments would rather hire someone who has made some mistakes, is honest about them and has learned from them; than someone who is being dishonest.

Even if your recent drug use disqualifies you from employment RIGHT NOW, you may be asked to return in a year or so, providing you have truly quit using drigs. But, I guarantee you, if you lie, you won't ever have a shot at working for that department in the future.

I hope this works out well for you,

posted 03-14-2000 02:00 PM            

I told the truth on the polygraph re my drug use; My background invest. then told me that dept. policy was not to hire anyone w/ admitted drug use w/in the past year. -Just like you said, Chip. But I got lucky, my investigator was also the training Sup., she liked me and talked to the Chief and they agreed I would be the exception to the rule.

Who knows what would have happened if I tried to beat the polygraph........
I do know I now have alot more respect for the examiners & the test itself.