Original reporting and commentary about polygraphs, voice stress analyzers, and other purported "lie detectors."
Pierre Thomas reports for ABCNews.com. This short article is cited here in full: May 20 — The government will launch a wide-ranging program of polygraph testing to determine if one of its own employees is responsible for last year’s anthrax attacks, ABCNEWS has learned. As many as 200 current and former employees at Fort Detrick …
In an article titled, “FBI seeks to rebuild its image,” Chris Mondics of the Philadelphia Inquirer Washington bureau reports that Roger L. Trott, chief of the FBI’s agent training unit, asserts that nearly half of FBI agent applicants who pass preliminary tests don’t pass the polygraph. Excerpt: …The bureau expects to hire only about 5 …
Luke Turf of the Yuma Sun reports on the Arizona Department of Corrections’ use of polygraphy. Excerpt: Three correctional officers at the state prison in Yuma were wrongfully disciplined because the Department of Corrections relies too heavily on polygraphs, an attorney for the employees and state Sen. Herb Guenther say. Martin Bihn is the attorney …
The Associated Press reports on Glynn County, Georgia’s use of and professed belief in “Computer Voice Stress Analysis” (CVSA). Excerpt: BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Glynn County police have become true believers in a new sort of lie detector that analyzes stress in a suspect’s voice, but other police departments are not convinced. The Computer Voice Stress …
Louise Dickson reports on the first use of Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) by Canadian police in this puff piece published in the Victoria Times Colonist. Excerpt: “Did you actually see Ruth shoot Billy?” “Yes,” the suspect replied. “Did you shoot Billy?” “No.” But the image on the computer screen told another story. In this …
Palm Beach Post staff writer Eliot Kleinberg reports. Excerpt: Priests in the Diocese of Palm Beach should have to swear in writing that they never engaged in sexual misconduct, and be offered lie detector tests should there be any doubt, a top church critic says. In fact, Ed Ricci says, he’ll pay for the polygraphs. …
Washington Post staff writers Steve Fainaru and Amy Goldstein report on the case of Osama Awadallah in an article titled, “Judge Rejects Jailing Of Material Witnesses.” Excerpt: NEW YORK, April 30 — A key legal tactic employed by the government in its post-Sept. 11 war on terror is illegal, a federal judge ruled today, delivering …
Jim Henderson of the Houston Chronicle Dallas bureau reports. Excerpt: FORT WORTH — Sometime in the next few days, James Byrd will take the most important test of his life. If he passes, he soon could walk out of prison, free for the first time in nearly five years. If he flunks, he could stay …
The South African Press Agency (SAPA) reports in an article titled, “Sex Questions Necessary.” Excerpt: Cape Town – Presidential Press Corps (PPC) candidates will be expected to complete a questionnaire and, if necessary, follow-up interviews, but will not be required to undergo a polygraph test, Intelligence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said on Saturday. She was responding …
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 …