What can you tell me about polygraph tests???

Question

I already know what it does, so no need for you to state the obvious. But, can you tell me how accurate it is? I know that polygraph tests are not permissable as evidence in Court, because of its inaccuraccy, but they're still making me take one. How often it makes mistakes? What you can do to prevent such mistakes? What causes these mistakes? I have to take one soon for a Police Cadet position I just got, and I wanna know what I'll be dealing with here! Thanks!

Answer 1

i have taken two. and for the purpose they are using it for, it is very accurate. they will ask you questions like: is your name____? is your birthday ____? have you driven while intoxicated in the past _____ months years etc? have you stolen anything? blaah blaah blaaa.
it is very nerve wracking and awful. your heart will race and you will feel like you have done something wrong. and if you lie the needle will spike considerably higher than your normal wave length. i HATE taking the tests. i always leave with a headache. good luck!!! don't lie!!

Answer 2

no, you are wrong about the inadmissibility of polygraph test results. Some federal courts and state courts allow polygraph test results, under certain conditions. (Attorney stipulation, preceded by a reading of Miranda rights, followed by a Confession.)

Further, polygraph tests are very accurate, and false positives are usually attributable to the examiner's error.

The examinee really can't do anything to prevent a false positive.

If you are really worried about something in your past, that you might be asked about, just try self-hypnosis, and envision yourself completely calm in giving the answer you want to give to that troubling question.

I don't know, maybe you are worried having used drugs in the past, or maybe having committed a petty theft, whatever the case might be. Either way, I strongly urge you to be truthful, because if you lie, and even if it goes undetected, the police are going to scrutinize your past, and you will be found out.

If you smoked a little dope in high school, as many of us have, just tell the truth. Not a big deal. You are going to be tested for drugs anyway. As long as you haven't used drugs in 6 months, you will be OK.

Whereas, if you lie, and you are found out, you are toast. Better just to tell the truth.

Answer 3

They are NOT reliable, and for this reason, they are NOT admissible as evidence in court. The interpretation of such tests are flawed. Many nervous types have flunked these test, and the only thing they vwere guilty of was their natural tendency for being a nervous and jittery type. By the same token, practically every pathological liar can pass these tests, because they believe wholeheartedly their own lies to be the truth, so their life signs are rock steady, although they are constantly lying.

Answer 4

When you take the test answer in yes or no answers, when answering do not move any part or your body this gives a reaction. Tell the truth and do not be deceptive. The most important part of the test is the ability of the examiner to read the polygraph.

Answer 5

They can narrow in on general areas. if you smoked pot and try and say you did not, you will be worried and it will show.

But a officer friend of mine, for example, grew up on military bases, her dad was 30 years military.

She was never in the military, but in her exam, it showed she lied about being in the military, She had to try and prove she was never in the military

Answer 6

They will ask you the same question in a different way to try to confuse you !

Answer 7

it is not very accurate they are not even admissible in a court of law