Noted skeptic James Randi comments on polygraphy in the 26 April issue of his weekly on-line newsletter, Swift. Excerpt:
Bob Park, of the American Physical Society, at whatsnew@aps.org, has struck out again at ineptness in government circles. We’ve long preached that the polygraph [lie detector] is a useless device, subject not only to poor implementation by the operator, but also the whims and prejudices that said operator may hold. Certainly, it can be beaten by even modest efforts of the experienced liar, yet it is used by prominent US Government agencies as if it really worked. The possibilities of slanting evidence by means of the device, are frightening. So Bob asks:
HAS THE POLYGRAPH EVER UNCOVERED A SPY? WN believes it has not (WN 5 Apr 02). If it has, the government has never acknowledged the fact. The National Academy of Sciences is conducting a scientific review of the validity and reliability of polygraph testing. Its final report is due later this year. It is widely expected that the report will expose the polygraph as less than worthless. But beware, this is a powerful industry.
That last sentence is the operative one here. I suspect, as does Bob, that the government — and other equally uninformed agencies — will continue to use the polygraph, regardless of the results of the NAS study and conclusions. It’s the “Henriette Syndrome” at work again….!
Randi defines the “Henriette Syndrome” as “the overpowering need by some people to accept and believe something preposterous, and the ability to ignore and dismiss the contrary evidence, no matter what it’s quantity, nor how strong it is.” (See Randi’s commentary of 15 Feb. 2002 to read about the wilfully blind Lady Henriette.) See also George Maschke’s commentary on the James Randi Educational Foundation message board.