Original reporting and commentary about polygraphs, voice stress analyzers, and other purported "lie detectors."
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 …
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 …
Adrian Lackay of the South African Beeld newspaper reports in this article titled, “Press corps: Sex lives ‘not relevant’”: Cape Town – President Thabo Mbeki’s office and media organisations plan an urgent meeting to discuss the “crude treatment” of journalists and possible unconstitutional action by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) against those wanting to qualify …
John Matisonn of the Sunday Independent reports in an article titled, “Spooks probe sex lives of presidential press.” Excerpt: The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has been questioning journalists on details of their sex lives, as part of a security clearance process for membership of a proposed new presidential press corps. Colleagues of the journalists who …
Bob Park of the American Physical Society comments on polygraphy in the 19 April 2002 installment of his weekly column, “What’s New”: 4. LIE DETECTORS: 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 …