Patrick E. Gauen of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes on the case of Rodney Woidtke, who was being retried for murder in Bellevue, Illinois: Polygraph, or lie-detector, tests are not admissible in Illinois courts, and case law suggests that mere mention of the word can be considered poison to a jury’s fairness.
In a press release occasioned by the commencement of the National Academy of Sciences’ polygraph review, Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) expresses his concerns about the Department of Energy’s use of polygraphs: “I hope the work of this committee, backed by the NAS, will give us an objective analysis of polygraphs, and help determine the necessity … Read more
In an article entitled “Captain Suspended Over Missing Computers,” Carol Robinson of the Birmingham News writes: A Birmingham police captain has been suspended for nearly nine weeks for refusing to take a lie detector test in connection with missing departmental computers. Capt. Ellison Beggs, the highest-ranking officer suspended in recent memory, will be off without … Read more
According to the DoDPI website, William F. Norris has replaced Michael H. Capps as director.
Today on the Jenny Jones television talk show: “Those Guests Thought They Were The Best, But They Couldn’t Pass The Test.” A look at some of the year’s most entertaining lie detector tests. Meet one man who wants his girlfriend to take a lie detector test to prove she isn’t having an affair with another … Read more
Steven Aftergood reports in today’s edition of the electronic newsletter Secrecy News: NATIONAL ACADEMY BEGINS POLYGRAPH STUDY The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences is undertaking a new review of the validity and reliability of the polygraph, or “lie detector.” The 18 month review, which was proposed by Sen. Jeff Bingaman and … Read more
Today on the Jenny Jones television talk show: “If you went astray, I’ll find out today.” Meet a man who suspects his girlfriend is cheating on him with another woman, but his girlfriend denies it. Also, meet a guest who wants to know if her best friend is sleeping with her man. Jenny makes these … Read more
Dave Marash reports for ABC Nightline on the security crackdown at Los Alamos National Laboratory, including the new DOE polygraph screening program. Excerpt: JOHN BROWN, DIRECTOR, LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LAB The–the polygraph issue is a real challenge for a scientific culture like ours. DAVE MARASH (VO) Los Alamos lab director John Brown doesn’t hide his … Read more
Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Susan Ruiz Patton writes in an article entitled, “Sheriff releases trailer owner, awaits lab test results in slaying”: RAY, Ohio – An owner of the trailer where police found the body of a former Shaker Heights woman was released from jail yesterday after passing a lie-detector test. Vinton County Prosecutor Timothy … Read more
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staff writer Lisa Sink writes: [Mark] Chmura, 31, a former Green Bay Packers tight end, has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of third-degree sexual assault and child enticement. Authorities have accused him of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in a bathroom in the home of Chmura’s neighbor Robert Gessert. The prosecutors’ … Read more