Beating polygraph, or failing when innocent

[The_Tao]

has anyone other than me heard that people sometimes beat polygraph tests, or fail even when innocent?

[cyrijl]

it is just a machine which spits out information which must then be interpreted by a human being. It is not fool proof. However, over the years there are trends on the results given to questions. There is a reason why in some places (perhaps all) they are not admissible in court.

[mrblackmagic]

A polygraph is not 100%. All better it's not used when someone's life is on the line. I remember a case in 2007 that was accepted. However after this study, I don't see it coming back into play.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...9-09-lie_x.htm

[Poop Loops]

Politicians and actors can pass those with flying colors. It's just part of their jobs.

All it measures is your rest vitals, things like heartbeat, etc., and then vs. a normal question, and then vs. one you know you are lying, and then they ask you what they want to know and compare whether it's closer to the true or lying question. That's it. There's no magic involved. Some people can control themselves enough to just lie with a straight face, other likely spazz out when asked what their favorite color is.

[TM]

I have a childhood friend that I know is honest as the day is long that has no secrets to hide that failed a polygraph. Said he lied about almost every question including his name.
He did not get the job at the N.S.A.
I've successfully defeated the polygraph on three occasions because it's no one else's damn business that I like to smoke the herb on occasion.

[DerAuslander]

You're lying.

[markcos262]

I've been told to beat it when asked a question you think of an alternate question, like is the sky blue? then answer it but I don't know if there's any truth to it no pun intended.

[markcos262]

And University of Utah psychologists published a 1994 report that suggested biting your tongue, pressing your toes to the floor and counting backwards by 7's during control questions would screw up the accuracy of polygraphs.

Oh man! & cancelling out no touch KO'S.

[Holy Moment]

It's easy as hell to beat a polygraph test. Just don't breath.

[HappyOldGuy]

I always thought it would be fun to get a chance to sit down in front of one of these and practice beating it.

But have you seen the CIA pay scales?

[Virus]

Michael Shermer on the polygraph.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLL3wtgBiFA

[Purpleskunk]

It's easy as hell to beat a polygraph test. Just don't breath.

your heart still pumps blood :violent1:

[Ajamil]

The suggestion that seemed most workable to me was to convince yourself to freak out at every question - even the control ones. Basically, fool yourself into thinking you're always lying.

[Anton_Chigurh]

has anyone other than me heard that people sometimes beat polygraph tests, or fail even when innocent?

I just finished reading John Grisham's latest work (his first nonfiction) about a wrongfully convicted alleged murder and polygraph unreliability factors in a lot.

Do a google search for "Polygraph" + "Reliability" + "Unreliability"

Alternatively try some of these names: Ron Williamson, Dennis Fritz, Tommy Ward, Karl Fontenot with "Polygraph" plussed in.

Also, you can beat a polygraph. Stephen Seagal did it in Glimmer Man.

[Ajamil]

Also, you can beat a polygraph. Stephen Seagal did it in Glimmer Man.

So what you're saying is to beat it you have to be an actor so bad even a machine hooked to your vital signs can't tell when you're displaying different emotions?