My Polygraph Exam Was Inconclusive. Now What? – Ask CJ - ClearanceJobs

Posted: 02 Mar 2019 12:00 AM PST

Much about the clearance process resembles the Pirate's Code: "more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules." This case-by-case system is meant to consider the whole person, increase process security, and allow the lowest-risk/highest-need candidates to complete the process. However, it also creates a lot of questions for applicants. For this reason, ClearanceJobs maintains ClearanceJobsBlog.com – a forum where clearance seekers can ask the cleared community for advice on their specific security concerns. Ask CJ explores questions posed on the ClearanceJobs Blog forum.

In a process rife with mystery, snafus, and frustrations, one enigma reigns truly supreme: the polygraph examination. While not all cleared personnel are required to take a polygraph exam, those applying to work in the intelligence community often must face the machine. But like so many other parts of the clearance process, the polygraph exam isn't a cut-and-dried science. And despite what the movies might tell you, it's not a lie detector test. Many applicants do not receive a simple "pass" or "fail." The test can be "inconclusive." That's where this week's Ask CJ takes us.

A user wrote:

So today was a loooooonnnnggggg day… I had my Psych/Poly today.

I failed the Poly (which I knew was going to probably happen)… the good thing is, I know when exactly I'm going back. The bad news is, I was nervous the entire time and the examiner kept trying to something out of me.

It's a full scope CI/personal… the examiner said I was all over the place on both parts.

Is that normal? What's the most you can take it?

This is a common scenario. But before we tackle this, it's helpful to understand what the polygraph exam actually consists of.

So What Does the Polygraph Actually Do?

If you're looking for an excellent primer on the security clearance polygraph exam, check out a ClearanceJobs resource called, "5 Rules for Taking a Security Clearance Polygraph." It gives an easily digestible explanation of what the polygraph measures, common misconceptions, and guidance on how to take the test effectively.

As the paper explains:

The exam consists of:

Pre-Test Phase: Meet your polygraph examiner and ask any questions. Fill out a consent form and receive notification of your rights. Review all questions before the test starts. This is your chance to make sure you understand the questions, and that you're able to provide accurate answers—use it!

In-Test Phase: After being hooked up to monitoring equipment, the examiner asks all questions and analyzes the results, which are fed from the sensors on your body into a laptop.

Post-Test Phase: If the test is inconclusive or deception is detected, you may be asked followup questions, or "problem" questions may be rephrased. You will not be notified of your results on the spot, but they will be reviewed by another examiner and you will be contacted later with the results.

The measurements of the polygraph examination.

One key takeaway to remember is that the exam is not a lie detector test. It measures your physical responses to factual questions; increased heart rate, increased respiration or perspiration can indicate evasiveness, nervousness, or deception.

However, heightened physical response in itself is not an indicator of deception. People get nervous during the test, could be having a hard or irregular day, or could be responding to confusing questions. This can often result in results being declared inconclusive – like the user above experienced. An inconclusive polygraph exam is not usually in itself cause for clearance denial. Polygraph administrators will often re-phrase questions if they are receiving inconclusive responses during the exam. If it's declared inconclusive after the fact, the test will be re-administered.

How can I avoid an inconclusive polygraph exam?

First thing's first: Just live your day as you normally would. Make sure you take all your regular medications, exercise as you normally do (or don't!), make sure you eat before the exam. The idea is that you want to keep your body's physical routine normal so it will not produce irregularities during the test.

Also, don't be a "Guilt Grabber." Oftentimes, some of the most reliable people receive inconclusive results on the polygraph exam. This comes from an overly-developed sense of guilt or nervousness. For example, if the administrator asks you if you've used drugs in the last 7 years, snorting Pixie Sticks in high school doesn't count. Just answer the questions honestly and simply. Don't over-volunteer information.

Remember, part of the exam is meant to ensure that the information on your SF-86 is honest and complete. Administrators depend on a level of intimidation in order to make that happen. "My professional opinion is that the government's real motivator for use of the polygraph is scare value," said Sean Bigley, national security attorney and managing partner of Bigley Ranish LLP. "The polygraph is more about getting scared people to admit what they would have otherwise omitted on their SF-86 than it is about actually digging up deception independently. Bearing that in mind, here is the reality: the scare tactic works subconsciously
on many people." Don't let it work on you.

If you're concerned about taking your polygraph exam for the first or second (or third) time, 5 Rules for Taking a Security Clearance Polygraph is an invaluable resource. You will learn more about what to expect, how to prepare, and perhaps most importantly, how not to prepare. You can also post your questions or concerns on ClearanceJobsBlog.com.

The Truth about Lie Detector Tests and How You Can Beat One - Interesting Engineering

Posted: 26 Nov 2017 12:00 AM PST

The polygraph machine that wires up your body with sensors is meant to aid in figuring out if you're lying. Lie detector systems have evolved from recording the subject's physiological responses on a rotating drum of smoke paper to modern laptops with automatic scoring and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) capabilities.

Despite the modernization of these truth-seeking systems, scientists believe that lie detector tests have very little (some experts say 'none') scientific basis. The accuracy of these tests has always been under the speculation and evidence based on polygraph aren't even allowed in criminal court in the US and most of the Europe. Lie detector tests remained in public consciousness despite these issues largely due to its use in courtroom TV dramas and movies.

However, such tests are still used most often to screen job applicants and used while interrogating criminal suspects.

The major flaw is that these tests are completely based on a person's physiological responses, which scientists believe isn't necessarily linked with lying. This basis poses a great risk of honest people generating false positive results. Besides, lie detector tests can also be influenced by drugs or medical conditions, which is why a screening and drug test is a pre-requisite. But, beating a lie detector test isn't that difficult if you manage well to understand how the system works.

How do Lie Detectors work?

The core concept behind lie detector systems is that our body betrays us when we lie. The body undergoes several physiological changes when we lie. We feel uncomfortable as our blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration behavior changes that result in visual cues and those form the base of the polygraph tests. Also known as psychophysiological detection of deception, lie detectors consist of medical devices that measure the person's physiological behavior in response to a set of questions that are specially designed to increase stress levels.

But the test isn't just restricted to hooking a person up with the polygraph machine. It actually starts right from the moment a person enters the test center, where a skilled tester will immediately start observing non-verbal cues that reflect whether the person is lying. Once the test starts, the machine will start recording the blood pressure, pulse rate and perspiration. The examiner will initially ask a combination of relevant and irrelevant questions, known as "control questions", to establish the base rate of activity. The theory behind control questions is to identify "white lies" to establish the base "lie" and "truth" readings. The baseline obtained will then be compared with the results obtained from the actual questions related to the interrogation.

How Can You Beat A Lie Detector Test?

Spoofing a lie detector test is tricky but still possible. The loopholes present within the lie detection systems have been widely discussed and you may find different ways to trick the system over the internet. However, not all ideas are effective. The widely proclaimed methods of biting your tongue or pinpricking yourself to increase the stress levels, heart rate and sweating while telling the truth cannot counterbalance the lies. The concept of imagining happy thoughts while lying and stressful ones while telling the truth cannot stop the machine from detecting the lies either.

So what is the best way to outsmart the lie detector test?

According to Dr. Anne Helmenstine, a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, there are two best ways to beat the test – get completely into Zen Mode or remained stressed throughout the test.

The problem with lie detector test is that most people become nervous even if they are not lying. But such nervous responses will not be able to fool the system. Beating the test will require more efforts and the best way you can do that is to stay upset or confused throughout the test. And, you can do this by trying to constantly remember your worst experience, solving the most difficult math problems or remember something that can keep you in stress constantly.

One of the important aspects to trick the test is to identify the questions whether they are relevant, irrelevant or the control ones. 'Hold your horses' and understand the question type. Irrelevant questions are of a nature that has nothing to do with the interrogation; questions such as "What is your name?" or "Are you a resident of (city)?" While relevant questions such as "Where you present on the crime scene?" are important ones. Control questions are "yes", "no" types where mostly the answer should be "yes" instead of the white lies. The questions in this category are usually recognizable, such as "Have you ever stolen something?" or "Have you ever lied to anyone? "

Another hint: try to give answers in "yes" or "no" wherever possible and answer it without hesitation. Remember not to fall for an accusation. Instead, you can use it to increase your feeling of being upset and confused. It is also important to control your breathing and know how you react to each question by asking someone to ask the questions that you are likely to encounter during interrogation.

Beware that the examiner is not your friend but a skillful person in psychology who is there to record every single response to get the truth out. The best way is to play dumb rather than trying to impress the examiner that you've come completely prepared.

While it may sound fascinating to try and invalidate the lie detector test, it looks good only in Hollywood thrillers rather than experiencing it first-hand. We hope that you have never been in a situation where you require taking a lie detector test. And even if you happen to take one, the easiest way out is to remain honest.

Via: ThoughtCo., AntiPolygraph

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