“Nuclear Lab, Polygraphers at Odds”

Kathleen Koch reports for CNN. Excerpt: WASHINGTON (CNN) — The director of one of the nation’s nuclear weapons labs has told employees they don’t have to cooperate when asked medical questions by government polygraphers, CNN has learned. Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories, with headquarters near Albuquerque, New Mexico, have expressed concern that, before being given … Read more

“False Detector”

Sandia National Laboratories senior scientist Alan P. Zelicoff writes in a special to the Albuquerque Tribune. Excerpt: …DOE polygraphers claim that there are but four questions to the examination, all directly related to national security. This is a lie. In each and every polygraph, the subject will invariably be told something like this: “You’ve done … Read more

Sandia Director C. Paul Robinson: Employees Not Obliged to Answer Medical Questions from Polygraphers

The following memorandum was distributed by e-mail at Sandia National Laboratories on 2 April 2001: This message, written by Labs Director C. Paul Robinson, is being sent at his request to all Sandians: As you have doubtless already heard, we have received complaints from a growing number of employees regarding the Congressionally mandated polygraphs for … Read more

“Scientists at Sandia Labs Question Polygraph Quiz on Medications”

Albuquerque Tribune reporter Ollie Reed, Jr. reports. Excerpt: Medical questions on mandated polygraph tests are raising eyebrows among some scientists at Sandia National Laboratories. Rod Geer, a spokesman at the Albuquerque lab, acknowledged today that there is a growing concern among Sandia scientists that polygraph questions about the medications individual scientists take are invasive and … Read more

“Lie Tests Too Personal, Lab Scientists Say”

Albuquerque Journal staff writer John J. Lumpkin reports. Excerpt: Some scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are charging that lie-detector tests started in the wake of the Wen Ho Lee case have become a little too personal. Polygraphers are asking scientists about their medical histories, including what medication they take, said Al Zelicoff, a medical doctor, … Read more

“Some U.S. Nuclear Scientists Spurn Polygraph Tests”

Jo Anne Allen writes for Reuters. Excerpt: WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Some U.S. nuclear weapons scientists in New Mexico are boycotting required polygraph tests on the grounds that they contain questions unrelated to national security, a senior scientist said on Wednesday. “The polygraphers are asking medical questions — what medication you’re taking and what medical conditions … Read more

“Pentagon Probes Spy Case Dropped Against Sailor”

Washington Post staff writers Vernon Loeb and Walter Pincus report on a planned Department of Defense review of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s investigation of Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel King. Excerpt: The Defense Department inspector general is investigating the Navy’s failed prosecution of Daniel M. King, a chief petty officer who was held for … Read more

“Turmoil at a National Lab”

Correspondent David Martin reports for CBS Evening News. Excerpt: (CBS) Scientists at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuqurque, New Mexico, one of three nuclear weapons labs run by the Department of Energy are in revolt, threatening not to take required lie detector tests, because they include personal questions which have nothing to do with protecting secrets, … Read more

“Accused: The Navy’s ‘Spy’ Case”

CBS 60 Minutes II reports on the case of Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel King, who became a suspect after an inconclusive polygraph screening “test.” The Navy claims that King confessed to committing espionage in a post-test interrogation. King maintains that his alleged confession was false and the result of abusive interrogation tactics including … Read more

“Beyond the Polygraph: The FBI’s Effort to Ferret Out Spies Needs to Go Beyond Things Done for Public Relations”

This Huntsville Times editorial warns of the danger of substituting polygraphy for effective counterintelligence reform. Excerpt: A kid takes a gun to school and shoots some classmates. So parents and administrators respond by banning baggy pants and nose rings. A career FBI agent is arrested and charged with spying for the Soviet Union and then … Read more