Original reporting and commentary about polygraphs, voice stress analyzers, and other purported "lie detectors."
J.J. Johnson of the Sierra Times reports. Excerpt: Las Vegas – As reported on June 26, the Federal Bureau of [I]nvestigation had threatened Henderson resident Michael Hamdan with arrest for giving false information related to a possible July 4th terrorist threat based on an FBI administered polygraph. Sierra Times has learned that Hamdan recently took …
Newsday staff correspondent Joshua Robin reports on the case of Angelo Martinez, who was wrongly convicted of murder. Excerpt: Buffalo — A Brooklyn man wrongly convicted of murder 17 years ago walked free yesterday into the arms of his mother, who said she never lost faith she’d see justice for her youngest son. Gloria Viruet, …
Chery Sabol reports for the Daily Inter Lake of Kalispell, Montana uncritically reports on “Computerized Voice Stress Analysis” (CVSA). Excerpt: It sounds metaphysical. Without ever laying eyes on you, detective Lance Norman of the [Flathead County] sheriff’s department believes he can tell if you are lying. Spoken answers reveal to him ‹ directly, on the …
Los Angeles Times staff writers Paul Richter and Greg Miller report in an article titled, “White House Moves to Tighten Loose Lips, Stop Leaks to Media.” Excerpt: WASHINGTON –The Bush administration, until now considered one of the most effective ever at controlling information, is suddenly struggling to plug leaks that threaten political embarrassment and, officials …
The Press of Atlantic City, New Jersey published the following letter by Mark Hollingsworth regarding Madelaine Vitale’s 14 July article, “What’s the truth about polygraphs.” Mr. Hollingsworth’s letter is cited here in full: Polygraphs aren’t so reliable Regarding the July 14 story, “What’s the truth about polygraphs?”: C’mon! An 85 percent to 95 percent success …
Augusta (Georgia) Chronicle staff writer Johnny Edwards reports. Excerpt: The Atlanta chapter of the Service Employees International Union, which covers state employees, is accusing the Department of Juvenile Justice of using polygraph tests to muzzle Augusta workers and possibly violating their First Amendment rights. Guards and nurses at the Augusta Youth Development Campus who have …
This short report from the Spokane, Washington Spokesman-Review, published under the title, “Deposit bags stolen from parking garage,” is cited here in full: Almost $8,000 was stolen from the River Park Square parking garage on or about June 29, the Saturday of Hoopfest. Two deposit bags were taken from the garage office safe within the …
Chicago Sun-Times staff writer Lucio Guerrero reports on an outrageous case of police misconduct involving polygraph abuse. Excerpt: A man wrongfully charged with killing his mother is suing the city of Chicago and five police officers claiming he was coerced–mentally and physically–into confessing. Attorneys for Corethian Bell, 26, filed the lawsuit Monday and are asking …
Pasadena (California) Star News staff writer Emmanuel Parker reports in an article titled, “Fatal fire in 200[0] remains unsolved.” Excerpt: ALTADENA — Sometimes the simplest crimes are the hardest to solve. So it is with the death of Justine Marie Kaposy, 14, a popular Rose City High School student burned beyond recognition on December 3, …
P. Mitchell Prothero of United Press International reports that as part of a plea agreement between John Walker Lindh and federal prosecutors, Walker Lindh “will be required to cooperate with investigators, take repeated polygraph examinations, and appear as a witness in any trial at which he might be needed.” Prothero’s article on the plea deal …