I was told by the examiner that I passed the testing portion of my polygraph, but she also noted that I kept alerting on questions regarding honesty and integrity. I assume that means I passed the CI portion but either failed the lifestyle portion or alerted on the irrelevant questions. I’m assuming this is a 50/50 situation it could mean I’m good to go, or it could mean I’m going to have to go through another round.
It would be highly unusual for a polygraph operator to tell you that you passed were that not indeed the case. The questions regarding “honesty and integrity” are the control (or comparison) questions. Her claim that you “kept alerting” on those questions is intended to keep you nervous in any future polygraph examinations.
What “honesty and integrity” questions?
@cool_adj may answer, but polygraph operators typically introduce the control questions as “honesty and integrity” questions. These are questions such as “Did you ever lie to get out of trouble?” or “Did you ever lie to someone who loved and trusted you?” or “Did you ever take anything that did not belong to you?” It is (secretly) expected that everyone has done such things but will deny having done so when pressed in the polygraph suite.
I’ve heard stories like this from several people. I do not recall hearing anyone say that they failed the poly (or got an “inconclusive” result which seems to be the preferred verbiage) from any such questions.
I’m not sure @AntiPolygraph.org is right about trying to keep you nervous… no need for that, it is a stressful enough experience under any circumstances!!!
I think this is the key point right here.