| The polygraph has never been popular. Inadmissible in | | | | polygraph examiners use. |
| court, dreaded by criminals, and forget police | | | | The most commonly used technique employed by |
| applicants; they would rather have a root canal than | | | | the examiner is projecting a sense of empathy for |
| be subjected to the "box." Even police agencies have | | | | you and your situation. Here the goal is to make you |
| mixed feelings regarding the lie detector (which it's | | | | believe he is there to help you. The examiner will |
| not) but that depends on whether they are giving or | | | | downplay the seriousness of the behavior you are |
| taking the test. The polygraph has steadily lost | | | | being asked about. He may even state that |
| credibility in the legal arena, yet thousands of law | | | | everyone has things in their past they are not proud |
| enforcement agencies still use this ancient ritual to | | | | of, and that no one is perfect. |
| screen applicants. | | | | Make no damaging admissions to the examiner. If |
| The key to polygraph testing rests on the skill of the | | | | you're applying for a police position where you make |
| examiner, which varies widely, even within the United | | | | admissions regarding your background, do it when |
| States. The polygraph is an instrument that solely | | | | you complete the application. Making additional |
| relies on the interpretation of the operator. Not only | | | | statements that are not contained in your application |
| is the polygraph examiner trained in the operation of | | | | or personal history statement will raise red flags. The |
| the polygraph instrument, but in the technique of | | | | issue here is that you won't reveal the truth until you |
| interrogation. Polygraph schools devote a substantial | | | | are confronted. Admissions made outside the |
| amount of time instructing their students in the | | | | parameters of the initial application and personal |
| practice of interrogation. This boils down to getting a | | | | history statement, however small, may disqualify you. |
| candidate to make damaging admissions. The end | | | | The only exception would be, as an example, during |
| result is possible disqualification. | | | | the "pre-test" interview where you admit to having |
| In order to pass the polygraph it is essential to | | | | smoked small amounts of marijuana while in grade |
| understand the common interrogation tactics | | | | school, or taking pens home from work. |