Can a science-based forensic test depend on its standardized techniques and procedures being kept a secret from the public?

The Department of Defense Polygraph Institute's (DoDPI's) parent agency, the Defense Security Service (DSS), seems to think so. DoDPI presents polygraphy (which it terms "psychophysiological detection of deception") as a forensic discipline. But in response to AntiPolygraph.org's Freedom of Information Act request for the federal polygraph examiner handbook, DSS has invoked exemptions to withhold those portions of the handbook that set forth the standardized techniques and procedures for conducting polygraph examinations. DSS explains, in part:

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DSS's response, along with those portions of the handbook that DSS did release, may be downloaded as a 1 MB PDF file at:

http://antipolygraph.org/documents/federal-polygraph-handbook.pdf 

Is anyone aware of any science-based forensic test whose standardized techniques and procedures are similarly kept secret from the public?

George,

After a brief examination of the document they sent you I would like to see the explanation of why they consider polygraph a "forensic science".

Also, I would be proud to have a "hand blocked" document. At least you know someone had to take the time  to take the magic marker to the handbook.

I can't fathom the DoDPi calling polygraphy a "science-based forensic test".  But until our voices get heard, those who believe that will and those of us who know the truth must spread the word farther.

Fred F.  

Mr. Maschke,

In the FOIA request to DSS that you document on this website, your last paragraph reads as follows,

"...Please release the withheld portions of the Federal PDD Handbook...If, however, you determine that DoDPI's unclassified standardized techniques and procedures for conducting polygraph examinations are somehow too dangerous for the American people to know, then I suggest that you order the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute to promptly cease and desist from representing polygraphy to be a "forensic" technique, for by withholding those standardized techniques and procedures, you will have tacitly acknowledged that "psychophysiological detection of deception" is not a forensic science, but a pseudoscientific fraud."

Aw c'mon Capt. Jones, after making a number of very reasonable arguments in your FOIA request, the attitude you choose to display in this last paragraph is not going to win you any friends in the DSS FOIA office.  Didn't anyone ever teach you that you will get more with sugar than with vinegar?

Now say, "Pretty Please."

Polycop

Dave,

Under the Freedom of Information Act, an agency is granted 20 work days to make a determination on an appeal.

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After reading Polycop's acerbic, hubristic 'helpful' taunts, I was reminded of something Honoré de Balzac once wrote:

Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies.

Petty, small-minded bureaucrats like Polycop were no doubt part of the original impetus for the passing of the Freedom of Information Act. The light we shed on the pseudo-scientific fraud of polygraphy causes the power-hungry, desperate polygrahers to shriek and howl in pain, much like like those subterranean albino eyeless newts dragged squirming to the Earth's surface. These irrational, boorish posts we're seeing are those final outbursts from the shrinking population of Polygrapher infernaleis, var. habenae quisquiliarum*.

There is no doubt here that DoDPI is witholding the requested information because of the source of the request. None of the information is classified, and the argument that dissemintion of the testing procedures and scoring method might somehow allow examinees to circumvent agency rules, policies, or statutes is specious at best and at worst clearly illustrates the fallibility of the polygraph as a diagnostic tool-- the polygraph is fundamentally based in trickery and deceit.

Sorry polycop, no jackboot-lickers here.

Dave


*Infernal Interpreter of Many Writings, variety 'Government Trash'

Tanya Lane of the DSS Freedom of Information and Privacy Act office e-mailed me confirming receipt of the appeal and giving notice of an anticipated delay in processing it:

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In all likelihood, none.  FOIA's timetables are routinely violated, and it's just accepted the the govt. doesn't have the resources to meet the deadlines.