“A Truth Machine: Can Brain-Scanning Technologies Stop Terrorists — Or Just Threaten Privacy?”

Ronald Bailey reports for Reason magazine’s ReasonOnline website. Excerpt: “It’s happening much faster than I thought it would,” says James Halperin, author of the 1996 science fiction novel The Truth Machine. The novel describes how humanity would react to the invention of an infallible lie detector in the year 2024. “When I was talking about … Read more

“Saudi Passes 2nd Polygraph Test”

Pete Yost of the Associated Press reports. Excerpt: WASHINGTON (AP) – A Saudi man arrested near Washington Dulles International Airport the night of Sept. 11 passed an FBI polygraph test, his attorney said Friday. It was the second polygraph the FBI has administered to Khalid al-Draibi, who is jailed while under indictment for allegedly making … Read more

“FBI: Suspect Failed Test: Lie Detector Didn’t Like Al-Mrabh’s Answers”

Tom Godfrey of the Toronto Sun reports in this story carried by the Canadian website Canoe.ca. Excerpt: American authorities say Parkdale refugee claimant Nabil Al-Marabh has failed a lie detector test about his activities with al-Qaida and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. U.S. authorities said dozens of al-Qaida suspects were given polygraph tests by the … Read more

9-11 Terror Suspect Still Detained After Passing Polygraph

In an article titled “Man Held (and Held) on Suspicion,” Los Angeles Times staff writer Patrick J. McDonnell reports on the case of Hady Hassan Omar, Jr. Excerpt: As far as federal authorities are concerned, it remains an open question whether Hady Hassan Omar Jr. is linked to terrorism. The 22-year-old native of Egypt and … Read more

Apparent False Positives in 9-11 Terror Investigation

In an article titled, “Nation’s Frantic Dragnet Entangles Many Lives,” Los Angeles Times staff writer Patrick J. McDonnell reports on wave of detentions — often on scant evidence — that have come in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September. The FBI has made wide use of polygraphy in interrogating detainees. This article … Read more

DoD Seeks Lie Detector for Counterterrorist Screening

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD (AT&L)) and Combating Terrorism Technology Support Office, Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) are soliciting proposals for a lie detection technology for screening travelers. The following is an excerpt from a TSWG Broad Agency Announcement dated 23 October 2001 (BAA#02-Q-4655): R-111 Ports of Entry Passenger … Read more

“Voice Stress Analyzer to Be Used for Terrorist Screening”

In a press release with the foregoing title, Tri-Star International of Coronado, California, announces that it is marketing a voice stress analyzer for passenger screening. The press release, distributed by Internet Wire, is reproduced in full here: SAN DIEGO, CA — (INTERNET WIRE) — 10/11/2001 — Tri-Star International announced today their Voice Stress analyzer has … Read more

Lebanese-American Man Alleges FBI Polygraph Abuse

San Diego television station KGTV reports on the case of Ibrahim Nasser in a Yahoo! news story titled “Local Man Feels Threatened by FBI.” This short article is cited here in full: Lebanon-born U.S. citizen Ibrahim Nasser spent four hours talking with the FBI Monday. Nasser was first introduced to 10News viewers Sunday, when he … Read more

“Ex-Cabbie Cleared in Attack, Says Attorney”

Birmingham News Washington correspondent Mary Orndorff reports. Excerpt: ALEXANDRIA, Va. The former Birmingham cab driver arrested the night of the terrorist attacks passed an FBI polygraph test and will not be charged with any crime related to the plot, his lawyer said Tuesday. Federal prosecutors in Virginia declined to comment on the status of the … Read more