UK: “Lie-Detector Tests on Paedophiles ‘Unreliable'”

David Derbyshire and Roger Highfield report for the Daily Telegraph Excerpt: A scientist yesterday questioned a proposal to use lie-detector tests on convicted paedophiles to see if they would reoffend. Initial trials by two American polygraph examiners in the West Midlands, Northumberland and Surrey found that a third of those taking the tests lied when … Read more

Polygraph “Testing” of Rape Victims Debated in NC Sheriff’s Election

Alex McAllister reports for the Jacksonville, North Carolina Daily News in an article titled, “Sheriff faces his challengers.” Excerpt: Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown on Wednesday defended his use of the polygraph tests on rape victims when investigating cases of sexual assault. Brown addressed the issue during a forum for candidates running for sheriff hosted … Read more

“Spooky Goofs” [Abdallah Higazy Case]

Chisun Lee reports for the Village Voice. Excerpt: Last fall, after inventorying the rooms guests had fled on September 11 in a hotel directly across from the World Trade Center, a security guard reported finding a ground-to-air aviation radio locked in the safe of Egyptian student Abdallah Higazy. Higazy was called in, questioned, and thrown … Read more

Hatfill Contradicts Kristof on Polygraphs; Kristof Stands by Columns

In a 13 August 2002 op-ed piece titled “The Anthrax Files,” New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof reported that anthrax investigation “person of interest” Dr. Steven J. Hatfill had “failed” three polygraph “tests” since January and declined a fourth. In an article titled “Anthrax figure steps up offense,” Baltimore Sun staff writer Scott Shane … Read more

FBI Reportedly Threatened Hatfill’s Girlfriend Regarding Polygraph

In a press conference on Sunday, 25 August, Dr. Steven J. Hatfill, whom the Federal Bureau of Investigation has designated as a “person of interest” in the ongoing anthrax investigation, described the treatment that his girlfriend (whose name has not been made public) has received from the FBI. The following is an excerpt from Dr. … Read more

Steven Hatfill to Sue Nicholas Kristof over Polygraph Claim?

In an article titled, “Anthrax ‘Subject’ Explores Filing Lawsuit against NYT Columnist for ‘Malicious Lies’” Internet writer Matthew Drudge reports that anthrax investigation “person of interest” Dr. Steven J. Hatfill is contemplating a lawsuit against New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof. Excerpt: A foreshadow of legal fireworks over what has been reported about the … Read more

Senator James Inhofe Says He Subjected Self to Polygraph in 9/11 Leak Probe

Speaking on CNN’s Late Edition, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) stated that he had subjected himself to a polygraph “test” in the FBI’s ongoing investigation into the leak of NSA intercepts. It is not clear from the context whether Sen. Inhofe has actually been polygraphed, or if he meant that he merely expressed his willingness to … Read more

UK: “Sex Offenders Could Face Lie Detector Tests”

The Guardian reports. Excerpt: Sex offenders may soon be asked to take lie detector tests to monitor their behaviour, the national probation service said today. The machines, which monitor physical responses such as heart rate, could be used regularly if further research proved their reliability, the service said. Polygraph tests were tested by the national … Read more

“Lie-Detecting Devices: Truth or Consequences?”

Washington Post staff writer Ariana Eunjung Cha reports. Excerpt: NEW YORK — “Lie detectors,” those controversial assessors of truth, are making their way into everyday life. Insurance companies use them to help catch people filing fraudulent claims. Suspicious spouses use handheld versions to judge whether their significant others are cheating. U.S. government interrogators use them … Read more

Canada: Polygraph No Solution in Failed Military Leak Investigation

David Pugliese of the Ottawa Citizen reports in an article titled, “Forces grill reservists over Citizen.” Excerpt: Military sleuths subjected part-time soldiers to lie-detector tests and tracked leads for seven months in an unsuccessful attempt to uncover how the Citizen got the inside scoop on a secret commando training mission at Ottawa airport. Military police … Read more