Within the context of security clearances, the purpose of a polygraph exam is to assist in determining whether or not an applicant can be trusted with sensitive information. Polygraph screening exams are governed by Security Executive Agent Directive 2 and Intelligence Community Policy Guidance 704.6. The exams are used to determine eligibility for special assignment or special access and are limited to two types of polygraph exams, and either one or both exams may be administered.  A Counterintelligence Polygraph is the most common type of polygraph exam. A Counterintelligence Polygraph asks the candidate questions limited to those necessary to determine whether the examinee ever had any involvement with or knowledge of:  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, Unauthorized disclosure or  removal of classified information, etc.  A Lifestyle Polygraph asks the candidate questions concerning their personal life and conduct A Lifestyle Polygraph can also attempt to look for issues in a person’s private life for which they might be susceptible to blackmail or coercion. DoD Lifestyle Polygraph exam questions cover the following topics:  Involvement in a serious crime, Personal involvement with illegal drugs during the last seven years, Deliberate falsification of the security forms, etc.  A Full Scope Polygraph exam is a combination of both the Counterintelligence and Lifestyle polygraphs. Full Scope Polygraph exams are also known as Expanded Scope Polygraph exams.