The Associated Press reports on counterespionage measures adopted by the FBI in the wake of the Hanssen affair, including a discussion of the Bureau’s counterintelligence-scope polygraph program. Excerpt:
Former CIA and FBI Director William Webster is wrapping up a massive review of the FBI’s internal security in the aftermath of the Robert Hanssen spy case. The senior agent spied for Russia for more than a decade without U.S. detection.
While awaiting Webster’s recommendations, the FBI agreed to answer questions earlier this week from The Associated Press about some of the changes and findings already made.
FBI officials said they have conducted more than 700 polygraphs of FBI agents and workers with access to the most sensitive information and have identified a small number whose tests raised flags, such as possible deception, that warranted additional scrutiny.
Officials said the number was just over 1 percent of those tested ?just under 10 workers. They declined to be more specific, citing ongoing investigations and personnel privacy.
The failure-to-pass rate of just over 1% cited here is considerably lower than the rate of about 5% reported by Knight Ridder correspondent Lenny Savino in July 2001. To discuss these issues, see the AntiPolygraph.org message board thread, On the FBI Polygraph Failure Rate.