Polygraph Raises Suspicions in Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping Case

In an article titled “Sister Didn’t See Face of Abductor,” Salt Lake Tribune reporters Kevin Cantera and Michael Vigh detail developments in the Smart kidnapping case. Excerpt: On Thursday, police continued to say they had not ruled out any suspects, including members of Elizabeth’s family. The girl’s June 5 disappearance sparked a large-scale search and …

Australia: “Bosses Use Lie Tests on Staff”

Fiona Hamilton reports on polygraphy in the workplace in Queensland, Australia in this article published in the Courier-Mail. Excerpt: LIE detector tests are the latest weapon for Queensland employers in vetting prospective employees and investigating workplace thefts and frauds. Insurers are also using lie detectors to check the veracity of claims, offering to pay if …

The Polygraph as a Tool of Intimidation in the Overland, Missouri Police Department

In an article titled “Squeal Like a Pig” published in the Riverfront Times, Bruce Rushton reports on the Overland Police Department’s alleged retaliation against employees who complained of sexual harassment. This detailed investigative report includes an account of how the threat of a polygraph interrogation was used as a tool of intimidation against Overland police …

CNN Interview with Tom Smart

On CNN’s “Larry King Live” show, Nancy Grace interviewed Tom Smart, brother of Ed Smart, whose daughter Elizabeth was kidnapped last week. The following is an excerpt from the show transcript: GRACE: A lot of focus has been placed on your brother, Edward Smart. We all know he’s taken a polygraph. What was his response …

Father of Missing Girl Calls Polygraph Interrogation “Four Hours of Hell”

n an article on the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case titled, “‘We are going to get you,’” Derek Jensen of the Deseret News briefly discusses the polygraph interrogation of her father, Ed Smart Excerpt: Elizabeth Smart’s father also submitted to a polygraph test Sunday, but authorities won’t say what questions were asked, whether he had an …

“True Fit: Polygrapher a Puzzle Solver”

Freelance writer Roger Calip profiles West Hartford, CT police polygrapher Paul Melanson in this puff piece for the The Hartford Courant. Excerpt: West Hartford Police Sgt. Paul Melanson’s detective abilities cover a wide spectrum. His skills range from the step-by-step deduction required for a field investigation of a kidnapping or homicide to the careful analysis …

“Condit Lawyer: Lie Test OK”

Helen Kennedy of the New York Daily News Washington bureau reports. Excerpt: Insisting Chandra Levy was randomly attacked while jogging, Rep. Gary Condit’s lawyer said yesterday he would advise him to take an FBI lie detector test — if asked. “Yes, I’d strongly consider an FBI polygraph,” said Mark Geragos, Condit’s third lawyer. “If they …

“Annual Polygraph Report Published”

Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists’ Secrecy in Government Project reports in today’s Secrecy News electronic newsletter: ANNUAL POLYGRAPH REPORT PUBLISHED The Department of Defense this week released its Annual Polygraph Report for 2001, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to polygraph testing as an instrument of counterintelligence and criminal investigations as well as for …