you could manipulate the polygraph’s results by intensifying your emotions when asked harmless

questions. Such “control questions” are asked during the Control Question Test (CQT) and are
designed as comparisons to the relevant questions. As for physical countermeasures, Stewart
suggested biting the tongue or inside of the mouth or making muscle movements that cannot be
seen by the operator, such as moving a toe or flexing a leg muscle.
The polygraph is still vulnerable to both physical and psychological countermeasures and it also
suffers from a significant error rate based upon inconclusive, false positives, or false negatives
results.
Manipulation During Control Questions:
 Subjects may control their breathing
 Contraction of sphincter muscles
 Biting the tongue or inside of mouth
 Thinking about horrible things
Former polygraph examiner and Oklahoma City Detective Sergeant Doug Williams was sentenced
to two years in prison by the federal government in 2015 for activities associated with his teaching
people how to beat the polygraph. After years of using the technology, he came to distrust the
results and taught thousands of people to use countermeasures. He rates the accuracy of the
polygraph at 50 percent at most. In fact, U.S. government agencies have taught individuals involved
in undercover operations to beat the polygraph, thus validating Williams claim that techniques can
be taught to defeat the polygraph.
Manipulation During Relevant Questions
 Practicing relaxation techniques
 Doing mental calculations
 Thinking of calming subjects

The accuracy of polygraph testing has long been controversial. One reason
that polygraph tests may appear to be accurate is that subjects who believe
that the test works and that they can be detected may confess or will be very
anxious when questioned. If this view is correct, the lie detector might be
better called a fear detector.
But a particular problem is that you could manipulate the polygraph’s results
Evidence indicates that strategies used to "beat" polygraph examinations like
the so-called countermeasures, may be effective. Countermeasures include
simple physical movements and psychological interventions.
The polygraph is still vulnerable to both physical and psychological
countermeasures and it also suffers from a significant error rate. Based on
my research the accuracy rate of the polygraph is 50 percent at most.
For now, although the idea of a lie detector may be comforting, the most
practical advice is to remain skeptical about any conclusion wrung from a
polygraph.
Polygraph testing's accuracy has long been a point of contention. Subjects who believe the test works
and fear they can be discovered may confess or get very nervous when questioned, which makes
polygraph examinations appear to be accurate. If this viewpoint is right, the lie detector would be more
appropriately referred to as a fear detector.

However, there is the possibility of manipulating the polygraph's results. Evidence suggests that tactics
used to "beat" polygraph exams, such as so-called countermeasures, are successful. Simple physical
motions and psychological treatments are examples of countermeasures.

The polygraph is still susceptible to physical and psychological countermeasures, as well as having a high
mistake rate. According to my assessment, the polygraph has a maximum accuracy rate of 50%.

For the time being, while the concept of a lie detector may be soothing, the best advise is to be
suspicious of any conclusions drawn from a polygraph.