Expert: Jim Pastore - 7/22/2008

Question
Recently, I was required to take a polygraph test for possible employment for a police department.I was completely honest, and as genuine and  convicing as I could be in both the pre-polygraph and actualy polygraph exam. When the exam was concluded the examiner began to ask me questions regarding my drug use in the past year, stating that I had failed that question. (question- If i had done illegal drugs in the past year?) I was very insistant that I had not (which I havn't) Yet she kept pushing for an answer, and even listed various drugs, asking if I had tried any.  Then she asked If I had any friends that do drugs, or if I had been around any in the past year.  I then thought of a time right before my graudation from college, when I had kicked several people out I did not know for smoking pot in my basement.  She told me to write the story down, so they could examine it later, stating that that could have caused my blood pressure to rise during the question. Is it possible that they may acuatlly take this story into consideration, or was this the polygraphers was of just easing us both out of an awkward situation.  Do you think I could still be in the running for this job, or am I basically out of luck for something I didn't do.

Answer
Kyle,

   You may well have been convincing enough for her to take a second look at you perceived deception. Which makes sense to me her then asking for a written explanation for the answer. The polygraph operator only reports the results, then that is submitted along with everything else. Keep your fingers crossed and they just may overlook it or even let you retake the exam.

Jim