The Associated Press reports in this story published in the Washington Times. Excerpt: The Energy Department decided yesterday to continue using polygraph tests to protect the nation’s nuclear-arms stockpile, despite a scientific study that found severe shortcomings in the tests’ accuracy. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said the department must use the best tools available to … Read more
Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists’ Project on Government Secrecy discusses the National Academy of Science’s polygraph report in his Secrecy News e-mail publication: DOE TO REISSUE UNALTERED POLYGRAPH REGS In a remarkable testament to the stubbornness of the security bureaucracy and its resistance to external criticism, the Department of Energy is proposing … Read more
Eric Lichtblau reports for the New York Times. Excerpt: WASHINGTON, April 10 – A former F.B.I. agent arrested on Wednesday in an espionage case had not been given a polygraph test in his nearly 30 years with the bureau, and lax oversight of his relationship with an informer now accused of being a Chinese double-agent … Read more
In an article titled, “DNA testing clears name of Kansan in rape case,” the Associated Press reports on the case of Eddie James Lowery, who falsely confessed to rape after failing a polygraph “test.” As a result of the polygraph-induced false confession, Lowery, a soldier then stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, spent ten years in … Read more
Noted skeptic James Randi comments on polygraphy in this week’s Swift newsletter: We’ve assailed the use of polygraph (“lie detector”) technology here, many times. It is simply an area of failed technology, one that seemed promising, but then proved to be not only faulty, but quite dangerous to those upon whom was inflicted. State and … Read more
Peggy Brickley reports for The Scientist. Excerpt: Life scientists who work on sensitive government projects could find themselves hooked-up to polygraph machines in spite of continued criticism of the science behind such lie-detector tests. “It’s everywhere — every three- and four-letter agency you can imagine, including the US Postal Service,” said Stephen E. Fienberg, chairman … Read more
The tabloid Star magazine reports that musician Michael Jackson has declined its challenge to submit to a lie detector “test” regarding his sex life. Excerpt: SCANDAL-plagued superstar Michael Jackson has turned up his deteriorating nose at Star magazine’s $1 MILLION offer to take a lie-detector test that would clarify his relationships with children. And his … Read more
John Welsh of the Press-Editor profiles NBC “Meet My Folks” polygraph operater Nick Savastano in this puff piece. Excerpt: RIVERSIDE – Private investigator Nick Savastano gets double takes all the time. In airports, malls, supermarkets, wherever. Folks always think he looks like that guy on television. The one from “NYPD Blue.” You know, Detective Sipowicz. … Read more
Polygraph operator Dee Moody is interviewed by credulous San Mateo County Times staff writer Erin Sherbert. Excerpt: Q: How do you know if someone is lying or telling the truth, just by a polygraph test? A: We’re measuring significant changes in your physiological responses. Your responses are involuntary. You can be sitting totally still and … Read more
Ilya Tarasov interviews reserve intelligence colonel Vladimir Galkin for Pravda.ru. Excerpt: Would it make sense to take a decision to oblige Kremlin officials to undergo lie detector tests? First of all, we must clearly understand what purpose we pursue by organizing such tests. As experience of American special services shows, lie detector tests are obligatory … Read more