“Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.” You don’t have to be Catholic to associate these words with the uniquely Catholic tradition of confessional.
Polygraph examinations are not confessionals; there are no “say twenty ‘Hail Mary’s’ and you’ll be absolved of your sins” in the security clearance world. And yet, so many clearance holders seem to think that’s how it works that I sometimes wonder if people conflate the two situations.
I am being part facetious and part serious. Obviously, I don’t really think anyone sees their polygraph examination as a religious experience; but if I had a dollar for every examinee over the years who has offered up all manner of non-responsive derogatory information during their polygraph examination…I’d be a very rich man.
Yes, you must honestly answer questions asked during the polygraph or not answer them at all; doing otherwise, is asking for a security clearance revocation, federal false statements prosecution, or both. But that’s a far cry from the verbal diarrhea (sorry for that visual) that a lot of clearance holders and applicants seem to get the moment they step into the examination room.
The reason this happens is two-fold. First, people talk – often incessantly – when they’re nervous. A polygraph examination is a nerve-wracking process for many examinees, and they run their mouths to compensate for that.
Second, all examinees try, whether consciously or unconsciously, to put their best foot forward during the examination. When told at some point during the process that they are registering as deceptive or inconclusive, many examinees think their only option is to start offering up unresponsive (read: un-asked for and legally irrelevant) nuggets of derogatory information to hopefully satisfy the examiner that they are telling the truth.
That sometimes works, depending on the information offered and the particular examinee. But it’s also an example of the psychological side of the polygraph examination. Often, approaching the examination this way starts a slow drip of minor, derogatory information that, when cobbled together on paper, is just enough to raise vague questions about “judgment” or other character traits that sink the applicant’s security clearance prospects.
To re-emphasize what I said earlier, I’m not advocating that anyone provide false or misleading information during a polygraph examination or any other part of the security clearance application process. Indeed, because you must answer the questions honestly or not at all, there are a number of scenarios where I’d advise against taking a polygraph examination in the first place – including, but not limited to, people with inherently anxious personalities, previously undiscovered major criminal conduct, and anything else the government doesn’t already know about that could result in revocation of an existing collateral clearance.
I’m simply pointing out that people who approach the polygraph examination as an opportunity to unburden themselves of all their past transgressions are setting themselves up for problems. And unlike a priest, a polygraph examiner isn’t there to help you through the aftermath.
This article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Although the information is believed to be accurate as of the publication date, no guarantee or warranty is offered or implied. Laws and government policies are subject to change, and the information provided herein may not provide a complete or current analysis of the topic or other pertinent considerations. Consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
