“Polygraph Tests Given in Case of Missing Utah Girl”

The Associated Press reports. Excerpt: SALT LAKE CITY – Police have administered polygraph tests to a number of people both inside and outside 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart’s family, authorities said Thursday. Sixteen days into the investigation of Elizabeth’s apparent abduction, police say they still have no suspect. The girl reportedly was taken from her bedroom at … Read more

“Polygraph Tests Not Flawless”

Joe Bauman of the Deseret News reports in this single-source article on polygraphy: The accuracy of polygraph tests compares well with that of other forensic techniques — but sometimes emotions can short-circuit the results, a national expert says. The tests record physiological responses to questions. The queries usually cover both a crime under investigation and … Read more

“Polygraph Experts Say Test Really Can Help”

Greg Lavine reports for the Salt Lake Tribune. Excerpt: Academic experts who study lie detection say that polygraph tests can play a useful role in cases such as the abduction of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, but the scientific community remains divided over whether such examinations can accurately determine guilt or innocence. At least two family members, … Read more

CNN.com on Polygraph Use in the Elizabeth Smart Case

CNN.com reports in an article titled, “License plates found in missing girl case.” Excerpt: Investigators looking for Elizabeth returned to her home Thursday with police dogs and questioned for a fifth time the younger sister who witnessed the abduction. They said they have used polygraph tests in their questioning of numerous people, including family members. … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

“Polygraph Test for Missing Girl’s Father”

The Associated Press reports. Excerpt: SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The father of missing teenager Elizabeth Smart was given a polygraph test, police said Monday. “(Edward Smart) did submit to a polygraph yesterday and that’s being reviewed by the FBI,” said Salt Lake City Police Capt. Scott Atkinson. Police won’t say why they asked Smart … Read more