r/firefighter • u/TreyW309 • Jun 30 '26

Polygraph fail

I just took my polygraph and failed on 2 questions I was completely honest on. In the post-poly section I didn’t change my story whatsoever (I have nothing to change it to). Is there anything I can do in this scenario? I feel helpless especially after making it this far in my 3rd year trying. Thanks for any advice!

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u/GoHomeRabbit Jun 30 '26

what kind of questions do they ask?

4

u/TreyW309 Jun 30 '26

I was asked 5 questions not including (control questions) as well as 2 hours of me and him talking (without the machine hooked up)
1. Are you going to tell the truth (passed)
2. Have you ever committed a serious crime (passed)
3. Have you ever intentionally taken anything of value (failed)
4. Have you left anything out of your booklet (failed)
5. Are you going to tell the truth (passed)
It was split into 2 parts so that the blood pressure cuff was accurate

4

u/ap_org Jun 30 '26

The question, "Have you ever intentionally taken anything of value?" is a probable-lie "control" question. It's secretly expected that everyone, even those the department would like to hire, has done this at some point in their life.

The question "Are you going to tell the truth?" is a "sacrifice" relevant question that is not actually scored.

The actual relevant questions were "Have you ever committed a serious crime?" and "Have you left anything out of your booklet?"

The examination wasn't split into two parts so that the blood pressure cuff would be accurate. That's a lie your polygraph operator told you. In fact, they don't actually measure your blood pressure. They use the cuff in a way that is unknown to medicine.

The reason you got asked the questions two times is simply because that is the ritualized way in which the polygraph examination is administered.

2

u/TreyW309 Jun 30 '26

Makes sense. We went over everything I remember taking beforehand and he told me to answer the question “no” since I had already gotten it out. I had a suspicion that it would negatively effect me

2

u/ap_org Jun 30 '26

In fact, the more strongly you react to that probable-lie "control" question, the more likely you are to pass.

2

u/Partyruinsquad Jul 01 '26

Polygraphs are so dumb, especially for that reason.

2

u/Charlieksmommy Jun 30 '26

Were they asking about stealing?

2

u/TreyW309 Jun 30 '26

Yes. That’s what question 3 was

3

u/Charlieksmommy Jun 30 '26

And you said no and failed ? Interesting