I'm in the Fort Worth area and was on probation so I had to take repeated polygraphs. I took about 10 over a number of years with just about everyone on this area: Wood's being the largest, but 3-4 others as well over the years.



The first few times I had no problem at all. I was scared of every question and I told the truth, so they came out correctly. THEN I failed one but I wasn't lying. Over repeated exposure I had realized that the "control" questions (I didn't know they were control questions, I thought they were throw away questions) didn't matter. Then I started showing no response to them.



By not being afraid of what I considered throw-away questions I failed. And, when you fail a polygraph it's a REAL PROBLEM. I wasn't lying, but any stress at all on a "relevant" question vs no response on a "throw away" question = a big fat failure. So I retook and AND FAILED AGAIN. Now I was in serious trouble. I was so upset the 2nd time that I talked the polygrapher into reviewing the test. When I called him a couple days later he said I cleared it - even though he showed the scores and I had failed miserable. He was using computers to score the test.



So, what did I do? I came here. I read the guide and I put it into practice. After that I passed the next one with flying colors. But here's where it goes sideways - since I knew I could pass any polygraph I didn't have to worry about the conditions of my probation anymore. I left the county without permission and did other things that weren't illegal but weren't allowed by my terms of probation.



I passed every polygraph for the next 4 years lying, or at least being willing to lie if a question came up on the test I couldn't answer truthfully. And I was maniplating EVERY test question whether I needed to lie or not. The final test used a butt sensor thing, but I just tensed different muscles and was careful.



THE FIRST PROBLEM - was that the polys I failed were totally inaccurate. So, I had to do something to enhance my results.



THE SECOND PROBLEM - was that once I learned how to beat the machine I had no quams with cheating on my probation requirements.



I was committed to trusting the "professionals" and the "science" behind polygraphs. It worked some, but when they fail - which is totally unpredictable since polygraphs are based on lies and deception at least, and human error and manipulation as well - then the consequences to ANYONE whether your on probation, trying to get a job, trying to prove your innocence, etc. are DIRE!!



Add to that the fact that they are so EASILY BEATEN. I did it OVER AND OVER AGAIN while on probation with multiple polygraphers in the Fort Worth / Tarrant County area. And you have a recipe for disaster on both fronts.



So, there's my story.



-----------



I know a lot of people on here are getting into law enforcement. I think the lesson here is to use your judgement and do your job. Don't count on BS lie detectors to give you anything useful. I did my best to follow all my rules for years - until I failed this test. Then I didn't have to try so hard. I completed all the conditions of my probation and haven't been in any trouble (or done anything illegal) since. But, it was very disappointing and terrifying when I failed TWO polys by being truthful. And it's sad that lying and cheating was the answer to the problem.