“Interpreting a Polygraph Test”

Ann Geracimos reports for the Washington Times. Unfortunately, it seems that Mrs. Geracimos interviewed only polygraphers for this article, and in explaining to her how polygraph “tests” are interpreted, they apparently neglected to explain the trickery behind “control” questions. Excerpt: The word “polygraph” means “many writings” in graph form — a simple definition that gets …

Fabricator Michael Hamdani Passed Polygraph, Sent FBI on Wild Goose Chase

The FBI’s nationwide dragnet for suspected terrorist infiltrators was based on an apparently bogus tip from accused Canadian forger Michael Hamdani. In a 3 January 2003 Washington Post article titled “Fake-ID Arrest Led to FBI Hunt,” staff writer John Mintz reported that U.S. and Canadian investigators had questioned Hamdani extensively using polygraph machines. U.S. President …

“Lie-Detector Test During Probation Ruled OK”

Shannon P. Duffy of The Legal Intelligencer reports. Excerpt: Requiring sex offenders to submit to random lie-detector tests during the probationary period after release from prison is not unconstitutional, but forbidding them from owning a computer may be going too far, a federal appeals court has ruled. In a pair of opinions handed down this …

India: “Soon, Investigators May Ride Brain Waves to Nail Culprits”

Ranjani Ramaswamy reports for The Indian Express. Excerpt: Mumbai, January 7: WE wasted reams of newsprint wondering if Salman Khan had indeed been driving that night. His inebriation aside, how could it have been conclusively verified beyond any doubt that his was actually the hand on the steering wheel? The truth, concurs Dr C R …

“Liar’s Poker”

Brendan I. Koerner writes for The Village Voice. Excerpt: Q: I’ve been asked by a potential employer to take a lie-detector test. There was a fair amount of pot smoking in my distant past, and I’m worried it’ll disqualify me from the job, which I desperately need. Aren’t there ways to beat the machine? Before …

“Scrap Polygraph Screening”

The Saipan Times has published a letter to the editor from AntiPolygraph.org co-founder George Maschke. Excerpt: The CMNI Department of Public Safety’s decision to require Police Academy applicants to take polygraph tests beginning January 2003 is a mistake. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has recently completed a detailed study of polygraph screening and found …

“Auroran Protests Use of Polygraph Exams: Man Wants Probation Requirement for Tests Thrown Out”

Denver Post staff writer Ryan Morgan reports. Excerpt: Thursday, December 26, 2002 – Ben Aragon swears he’s telling the truth. The polygraph machine he’s hooked up to isn’t so sure. So Aragon, who has been taking polygraph exams since he was put on probation for sexually assaulting his girlfriend two years ago, is fighting the …

“Controversy Continues Over Racial Slur at Police Station: Councilman Wants Officers to Take Lie Detector Tests”

The following short article from the KETV website is cited here in full: OMAHA, Neb. — A racial slur found inside an Omaha police precinct has one city council member upset. Councilman Frank Brown said he wants police to take a lie-detector test. The slur was found on Thanksgiving Day inside the northeast precinct. Omaha …

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: “Police Academy Applicants to Undergo Lie Test”

Saipan Tribune staff reporter Edith G. Alejandro reports. Excerpt: The Department of Public Safety yesterday disclosed that applicants for the new batch of the Police Academy will undergo polygraph test in January 2003 prior to the release of the names of those who will be accepted to the institution. Police Commissioner Edward Camacho and officer-in-charge …