What kind of polygraphs are used for counterintelligence?
A Counterintelligence Polygraph is the most common polygraph. Within the Department of Defense (DoD), polygraph examinations used to determine initial eligibility for special assignment or special access are limited to counterintelligence questions. The DoD CI exam questions cover: Deliberate damage of U.S. Government Information Systems
What is the difference between counterintelligence polygraph and lifestyle polygraph?
The counterintelligence polygraph focuses on whether you pose a threat to turning into an agent of a foreign power, whereas, a lifestyle polygraph focuses more on your decision making process and whether any of your decisions could subject you to blackmail in the future.
What is a CI polygraph examination?
A CI Polygraph examination is the most common type of polygraph examination and is geared towards screening for issues associated with espionage, sabotage, terrorism, unauthorized disclosure of classified information, unauthorized contacts with foreign nationals and deliberate damage to or malicious misuse of a U.S. government or defense system.
What is the Department of Defense Program for counterintelligence polygraph examinations?
The Secretary of Defense may carry out a program for the administration of counterintelligence polygraph examinations to persons described in subsection (b). The program shall be conducted in accordance with the standards specified in subsection (e).
What questions are on a Counter Intelligence polygraph?
Counterintelligence questions cover the following topics: espionage, sabotage, terrorist activities, deliberate damage of U.S. Government Information Systems, intentional compromise of U.S. Government Classified Information, secret contact with a foreign national or representative.
What happens if you fail a CI polygraph?
The Consequence of Inconclusive Results So, by “failing” a polygraph or producing “inconclusive results” you might not get the job or the clearance you're applying for – but you also won't lose any clearance you already have or jeopardize your future prospects of obtaining clearances that don't require a polygraph.
How long is a counterintelligence polygraph good for?
5 yearsRequires renewal and a periodic reinvestigation every 5 years. The unauthorized disclosure or loss of material at this level could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security.
How do I prepare for a CI polygraph?
Get a good night sleep the night before your test. Maintain your normal routine prior to test (i.e. drink coffee, eat breakfast, etc.). Take your prescribed medications as directed by your physician. Discuss any concerns or ask any questions of your polygraph examiner at anytime during the process.
Can anxiety make you fail a polygraph?
According to a report from the National Academy of Sciences, “[a] variety of mental and physical factors, such as anxiety about being tested, can affect polygraph results – making the technique susceptible to error.” Unfortunately, once you have failed a government polygraph test, there may be little you can do to ...
Can a truthful person fail a polygraph?
According to Goodson, some people who are telling the truth can fail polygraph tests by trying too hard to control their body's responses.
How long does it take to get polygraph results?
Barring extenuating circumstances, you will receive final results and a written report within 24 hours of the exam. How can I pay for my polygraph exam?
What should I expect from a polygraph test?
A typical polygraph examination will include a period referred to as a pre-test interview, a chart collection phase and a test data analysis phase. During the pre-test, the polygraph examiner will complete required paperwork and talk with the examinee about the test, answering any questions the examinee might have.
What is CI clearance?
The CI Polygraph is the most common type of polygraph examination used in the security clearance process and is geared toward screening for security issues associated with espionage, sabotage, terrorism, unauthorized disclosure of classified information, unauthorized contacts with foreign nationals and deliberate ...
What kind of questions do they ask for a top secret clearance?
Can you tell me about your law enforcement experience? Have you ever held a security clearance before? Have you ever had access to classified or top-secret information before? What do you consider your most important technical skills?
How valid is a polygraph test?
The American Polygraph Association, which sets standards for testing, says that polygraphs are "highly accurate," citing an accuracy rate above 90 percent when done properly. Critics, however, say the tests are correct only 70 percent of the time.
What kind of polygraph does the FBI administer?
All FBI employees are polygraphed on two issues. The first issue is on drug usage; the second issue is on counterintelligence, national security polygraph.
Can you incriminate yourself on a polygraph?
(CN) — The federal government cannot force a convicted sex offender facing "authentic danger of self-incrimination" to take a polygraph test on past sex crimes, the 10th Circuit ruled Tuesday.
What is a counterintelligence polygraph?
A Counterintelligence Polygraph is the most common polygraph. Within the Department of Defense (DoD), polygraph examinations used to determine initial eligibility for special assignment or special access are limited to counterintelligence questions. The DoD CI exam questions cover: Espionage. Sabotage.
What is a full scope polygraph?
Deliberate falsification of the security forms. A Full Scope Polygraph is a combination of both the Counterintelligence and Lifestyle polygraphs.
What is a lifestyle polygraph?
A Lifestyle Polygraph asks the candidate questions the concern the subject’s personal life and conduct and can involve all aspects of present and past behavior. A Lifestyle Polygraph attempts to look for issues in a person’s private life for which he or she might be susceptible to blackmail or coercion.
What is a CI polygraph?
A CI or CounterIntellgence Polygraph asks only questions to determine whether the examinee ever had any involvement with or knowledge of espionage/sabotage/terrorism against the United States, unauthorized contact with representatives of a foreign government, or unauthorized disclosure of classified material. It is sometimes used to determine initial eligibility for a special assignment or special access, and is often administered to persons who already have Top Secret clearances. Usually there are no lifestyle questions included.
What is a full scope polygraph?
A FullScope Polygraph is the LifeStyle Polygraph and CounterIntelligence Polygraph combined. This examination is usually for positions such as Data Analyst, Technical Analyst, Linguist, Network Engineer, Software Engineer, or System Engineer. A very detailed questionaire is involved.
What is a lifestyle polygraph?
A Lifestyle Polygraph asks the examinee questions that concern the applicant’s personal life and conduct, and can involve all aspects of present and past behavior. Questions asked could concern drug and alcohol use, sexual misconduct, mental health, family relationships, compulsive or addictive behavior, and more.
What are the two types of polygraphs?
There are two types of polygraph exams that can be issued: counterintelligence and lifestyle. Counterintelligence questions cover the following topics: espionage, sabotage, terrorist activities, deliberate damage of U.S. Government Information Systems, intentional compromise of U.S. Government Classified Information, ...
What happens when you pass a polygraph?
When the questions are over, the reviewer will ask you about your responses if the results are inconclusive or it's determined that you lied. Official results of the test are not released until another polygraph examiner confirms them. If you passed, you will not be asked in for another test.
Can you take a polygraph if you are sick?
If you're sick, you most likely won't be tested until you get better, as illness may make you uncomfortable, which will affect the readings. Whether your take medication or not, Thomas P. Mauriello, the Department of Defense chief, recommends the following prior to taking a polygraph:
Do you need a polygraph for security clearance?
Not all security clearance applications require a polygraph, but when they are necessary it helps to know what you're getting into. According to William Henderson, a retired federal clearance investigator and author of "Security Clearance Manual," polygraphs are usually only issued "for Sensitive Compartment Information (SCI) ...
Who monitors polygraphs?
The Secretary shall establish a process to monitor responsible and effective application of polygraph examinations within the Department of Defense.
What is subsection C of the Personnel Security Investigation?
To assist, in a limited number of cases when operational exigencies require the immediate use of a person’s services before the completion of a personnel security investigation, in determining the interim eligibility for duties described in subsection (c) of the person.
What is a polygraph test?
Polygraph tests are part of the investigation process. The polygraph operator will make a full report regarding your polygraph examination and will also provide an assessment with respect to your cooperation. Any information that is obtained during the examination can be used against security clearance applicants at a later time, such as during a formal hearing, at which time the government counsel can refer to your polygraph answers.
What is the importance of polygraphs?
It is important to understand that polygraph exams rely on physiologic changes in your body as an indicator of your truthfulness. Physiologic changes can take many forms such as changes in your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and skin moisture (or, sweating).
What is a lifestyle polygraph?
The counterintelligence polygraph focuses on whether you pose a threat to turning into an agent of a foreign power, whereas, a lifestyle polygraph focuses more on your decision making process and whether any of your decisions could subject you to blackmail in the future.
What is the most important thing to ask when applying for a polygraph?
One of the areas that raises most concern to applicants are requests by the polygraph operator to disclose prior drug or alcohol abuse. Being truthful is always the best policy in this regard. Often, however, the operator will then ask applicants to how many times they engaged in the subject behavior. You should always avoid being forced to provide a specific number, unless you have a very clear memory of exactly how many times you engaged in the activity.
What questions are asked in a polygraph?
These questions can include questions regarding past criminal activity, to include drug use, your propensity to lie and forge documents, infidelity, family relationships, and your mental health.
Which government agencies conduct polygraphs?
Many government agencies conduct counterintelligence polygraphs. These agencies include but are not limited to: (1) the Department of Defense; (2) The Department of Homeland Security; (3) the Department of Energy; (4) the Department of Justice; (5) the Central Intelligence Agency; (6) the Federal Bureau of Investigations; (7) the National Security Agency; (8) the Defense Intelligence Agency; and (9) the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Can you be denied a security clearance if you refuse a polygraph?
Very often, individuals who have refused to take a polygraph, for whatever their reason, are denied a security clearance.
What is the primary goal of a polygraph?
Keep in mind the primary goal of the polygraph is to uncover previously undisclosed information – and it is typically very good at doing so. Don’t overthink, don’t stress, and you will be fine.
What is a full scope polygraph?
Polygraph exams are only conducted by agencies with approved programs and are only administered by government certified examiners. A full-scope polygraph combines the questions of both the CI and lifestyle polygraph. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history ...
What are the three categories of polygraphs?
Questions You Might be Asked in a Polygraph. There are three different categories of polygraphs: lifestyle, counterintelligence, and full-scope. Polygraphs are instruments that measure physiological responses to stress and are used in defense for determining if an individual should be eligible for high access positions.
What is a polygraph?
A polygraph is a sweat-inducing made-for-TV spectacle that even the government considers to have dubious results (there is a reason polygraph findings aren’t admissible in court). But individuals in national security careers have to put aside their concerns about the reliability of a lie detector machine. Whether you’re applying for a job with the Border Patrol or as a CIA agent, a number of cleared careers require a successfully completed polygraph examination.
How to take a polygraph for government?
1. Follow your usual routine. Many applicants worry that something like caffeine will hinder their performance on the polygraph.
What is a full scope polygraph?
A full-scope polygraph combines the questions of both the CI and lifestyle polygraph.
What are the two types of polygraphs used for security clearance?
There are two types of polygraph examinations used in security clearance and employment screenings: counterintelligence and lifestyle. Counterintelligence covers questions of espionage, sabotage and terrorist activities and is designed to root out contact with a foreign national or the compromise of classified information. Lifestyle deals more with the personal questions you answered on your SF-86, such as illegal activity, drug use, or falsification of the security clearance forms.
Why are some people incorrectly flagged?
Some are incorrectly flagged because they feel guilty for thinking about doing wrong. ”. If this applies to you, go ahead and share that with the polygraph examiner. Just don’t find yourself going so far as to admit to something that isn’t true, when the reality is you’re thinking your way around an issue. 3.
Can you speculate on a polygraph?
If at any time during the polygraph you’re asked to speculate in providing a response, don’t do it . This isn’t a job interview, where you need to dazzle your examiner with your savvy and finesse. Sometimes “I don’t know” really is the correct answer. If you receive a question that comes out of left field, or that appears to purport information you didn’t include on your SF-86 (and which isn’t true), it’s okay to honestly plead your ignorance to your examiner.
Is it better to answer a security clearance polygraph or be truthful?
Just like your security clearance application, you are better off being truthful when you answer questions in a security clearance polygraph. Just as issues can be mitigated in a ‘whole person’ security clearance determination, seemingly self-incriminating polygraph responses may also be mitigated if you provide truthful answers.
