I have a question about poly graph machines. If there is a question about something and you are not sure of the answer , how do you answer? Obviously they are looking for a yes or a no.. What if you really dont know?.. Example.
Have you ever committed a felony that you were never caught for? Lets say you committed a crime in your past, but you have no idea of the laws that pertain to said crime and not sure if it constitutes as a felony or misdemeanor. How would you answer it?
2006-12-13 08:52:42 · 15 answers · asked by mgroff80 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The polygraph examiner will make you feel very comfortable and will put you at ease. Talk about your concerns about the test with him/her. The questions you will be asked will be clear and you will know what you are answering.
2006-12-13 10:34:05 · answer #1 · answered by joeanonymous 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In almost 99% of the polygraph tests, they will go over the questions with you before hand.. Suprise questions will show as stress regardless if you were lying or not. Also , if they talk real emotionally, you are real nervous, cant sit still or they talk in a loud or fast voice, you can be subconciously stressed.
Here is how many tests go down.
Introduce themselves to you, tell you about the test, explain what they are doing, maybe even talk general chit chat with you for a few min. hook you up, could even explain what the different guages do. (sometimes before , sometimes after) they will go over each question with you, you miht be asked to answer so they can make sure you dont have any questions, such as I dont know, what do you mean by that etc.. then they will start the test, and usually go over the same questions, in the same order, using very non-loud voice, with little inflection or emotion in it. they will ask it at a constant speed, maybe a little slower than they would normally talk.
You will answer the questions yes or no, they might go thru the round of questions one more time to check for inconsistancy.
If the evaluator is good, you will not see the machine, be it lights, or a wiggle trace or whatever.. you will not see what he is reading from, the lights will not be bright and right in your face blinding you.
The best thing you can do here, is of course to be honest. Do you beleive that the "crime you were never caught for" was a felony r misdemeanor?, if you are that worried about the indecision (which can show as a moderate false), look up the crime, see what other people have been caught for while doing said action.
2006-12-14 00:01:10 · answer #2 · answered by TheHangedFrog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh my...... polygraph does mean yes or no answers ....if you answer it - and if you guess misdemeanor thinking it is safer .. yet some where in the back of your mind you actually think it might be more serious.. it would come out as you are lying...... so....time for a hypothetical question... you could ask the nice officer if what you did was a felony or a misdemeanor ... and don't forget to cancel your plans for the weekend! lol..
2006-12-13 17:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by Ms Fortune 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You answer the question. If you have ever commited a felony?
Since you don't know the crime you commited was a felony, you answer no.
2006-12-13 17:04:05 · answer #4 · answered by chefantwon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was the crime serious? If not, then it may not have been a felony. If you honestly don't know that you've committed a felony (which you don't) you can't answer that question "yes."
2006-12-13 16:57:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the example question provided, the answer is no. The polygraph is not some magical devise that is all knowing, it simply reads your biometrics. If you are not knowingly telling a lie, the machine will not be able to tell.
2006-12-13 16:58:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time the questions are discussed beforehand to ensure there are no surprises that may trigger a faulty reading. Its not a "gotcha" but more of a tool for investigators to direct thier efforts.
2006-12-13 17:05:23 · answer #7 · answered by Drop Zone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The questions are obvious yes and no.
in general they do not ask vague questions
Since they are not used in criminal cases, only civil issues.
So on job applications, they will cover things like is this your address, have you ever used illegal drugs, did you lie on your application.
For jobs where there were thefts and they are checking people, they will ask directly did you steall this or that.
2006-12-13 19:01:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask them to give you a question in the form of an answer.
2006-12-13 17:00:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the machine measure stress, it would show that you stressed on that question and they would ask follow up questions
the polograph operators are trained noty to ask questions such as you suggested, but make them simpler
2006-12-13 16:59:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋