Polygraph Raises Suspicions in Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping Case

In an article titled “Sister Didn’t See Face of Abductor,” Salt Lake Tribune reporters Kevin Cantera and Michael Vigh detail developments in the Smart kidnapping case. Excerpt: On Thursday, police continued to say they had not ruled out any suspects, including members of Elizabeth’s family. The girl’s June 5 disappearance sparked a large-scale search and … Read more

Australia: “Bosses Use Lie Tests on Staff”

Fiona Hamilton reports on polygraphy in the workplace in Queensland, Australia in this article published in the Courier-Mail. Excerpt: LIE detector tests are the latest weapon for Queensland employers in vetting prospective employees and investigating workplace thefts and frauds. Insurers are also using lie detectors to check the veracity of claims, offering to pay if … Read more

The Polygraph as a Tool of Intimidation in the Overland, Missouri Police Department

In an article titled “Squeal Like a Pig” published in the Riverfront Times, Bruce Rushton reports on the Overland Police Department’s alleged retaliation against employees who complained of sexual harassment. This detailed investigative report includes an account of how the threat of a polygraph interrogation was used as a tool of intimidation against Overland police … Read more

Father of Missing Girl Calls Polygraph Interrogation “Four Hours of Hell”

n an article on the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case titled, “‘We are going to get you,’” Derek Jensen of the Deseret News briefly discusses the polygraph interrogation of her father, Ed Smart Excerpt: Elizabeth Smart’s father also submitted to a polygraph test Sunday, but authorities won’t say what questions were asked, whether he had an … Read more

“Polygraph Test for Missing Girl’s Father”

The Associated Press reports. Excerpt: SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The father of missing teenager Elizabeth Smart was given a polygraph test, police said Monday. “(Edward Smart) did submit to a polygraph yesterday and that’s being reviewed by the FBI,” said Salt Lake City Police Capt. Scott Atkinson. Police won’t say why they asked Smart … Read more

“True Fit: Polygrapher a Puzzle Solver”

Freelance writer Roger Calip profiles West Hartford, CT police polygrapher Paul Melanson in this puff piece for the The Hartford Courant. Excerpt: West Hartford Police Sgt. Paul Melanson’s detective abilities cover a wide spectrum. His skills range from the step-by-step deduction required for a field investigation of a kidnapping or homicide to the careful analysis … Read more

“Condit Lawyer: Lie Test OK”

Helen Kennedy of the New York Daily News Washington bureau reports. Excerpt: Insisting Chandra Levy was randomly attacked while jogging, Rep. Gary Condit’s lawyer said yesterday he would advise him to take an FBI lie detector test — if asked. “Yes, I’d strongly consider an FBI polygraph,” said Mark Geragos, Condit’s third lawyer. “If they … Read more

“Annual Polygraph Report Published”

Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists’ Secrecy in Government Project reports in today’s Secrecy News electronic newsletter: ANNUAL POLYGRAPH REPORT PUBLISHED The Department of Defense this week released its Annual Polygraph Report for 2001, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to polygraph testing as an instrument of counterintelligence and criminal investigations as well as for … Read more

“Anthrax Probe Turns to Polygraph”

Megan Garvey and Eric Lichtblau report for the Los Angeles Times. Excerpt: WASHINGTON — The decision by the FBI to administer polygraph tests to hundreds of federal workers at two top military research facilities marks a new effort by investigators to smoke out individuals who might have information about last year’s deadly anthrax attacks. Seven … Read more