Original reporting and commentary about polygraphs, voice stress analyzers, and other purported "lie detectors."
Roger Snodgrass of the Los Alamos Monitor reports. Excerpt: New Mexico’s senators teamed up on Monday to strike another blow to a controversial polygraph testing program in the nation’s weapons laboratories. Senate Bill 1261 [sic, correct 1276], cosponsored by Sen. Pete Domenici, R-NM, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, would narrow the focus of Department of …
Steven Aftergood of the American Federation of Scientists’ Secrecy in Government Project writes in today’s edition of Secrecy News: NEW BILL WOULD LIMIT DOE POLYGRAPHS A bill introduced in the Senate yesterday by Sen. Pete Domenici and Sen. Jeff Bingaman would reduce the number of Department of Energy (DOE) employees and contractors who are subject …
Maria Cranor reports for the Albuquerque Tribune. Excerpt: U.S. Sens. Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman have introduced legislation to reform current Department of Energy polygraphing practices at the agency’s national laboratories. Domenici was a vocal opponent of Congress’ decision to expand polygraph testing in the DOE’s nuclear weapons labs last year. The expanded program, introduced …
At the first day of his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, FBI Director designate Robert S. Mueller III voiced his support for continued polygraph screening of senior FBI officials: Sen. Hatch: …We understand that the FBI is now requiring polygraphs for managers handling national security matters. Are you willing to …
Lenny Savino of the Knight Ridder Washington bureau reports. Excerpt: WASHINGTON – “Less than 25” top FBI officials and other personnel in sensitive positions failed to pass polygraph exams initiated in the wake of the Robert Hanssen spy case, according to senior bureau officials. Failure to pass could mean either that the findings were inconclusive …
Nashville Tennessean staff writer Kathy Carlson reports. Excerpt: Two Metro police officers charged with violating department regulations by abusing or failing to report abuse of Hispanic residents will take polygraph tests Tuesday that will help Deputy Police Chief Deborah Faulkner decide the case. The officers, Michael Mann and Jason Beddoe, were formally charged May 30 …
MSNBC reports. Excerpt: July 25 — A private polygraph administered to Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif., asked 10 questions, four dealing with Chandra Levy and none with allegations by a flight attendant that the congressman tried to persuade her to sign a false affidavit, The Associated Press has learned. THREE INDIVIDUALS who have seen the test …
Martin Mull of the Edmond Sun reports in an article titled “Moore officer says she [sic] being truthful.” Excerpt: A Moore police officer said she does not understand how she could have failed a polygraph test about no prior drug use during an interview process in Edmond. That was the reason Etta Maytubby said she …
Waco Tribune-Herald staff writer Tommy Witherspoon reports. Excerpt: Waco police have asked family members of Orville and Ruby Loving to take polygraph tests as the investigation into the deaths of the elderly couple continues. While some polygraph tests have been administered, Waco police report that arrests in the May 12 slaying of the Lovings at …
Sacramento Bee staff writer Ralph Montaño reports. Excerpt: Douglas Mansfield and Jeannie Overall know when you’re lying. Both have spent 20 years watching for the telltale signs: a jumpy pulse, a sweaty palm or a pause before a breath. As polygraph examiners for the California Department of Justice, they spend most of their time asking …