Some four years ago, AntiPolygraph.org confirmed that Los Angeles polygraph operator Edward I. Gelb, who styles himself as a Ph.D. in marketing his services, never received a doctoral degree from an accredited university. Last year, I filed an ethics complaint against Gelb with the American Polygraph Association, which declined to discipline Gelb for his fakery.

Nonetheless, it appears that Gelb has now removed references to his educational background from his official resume (if not from his website, where he continues to refer to himself as "Dr. Edward Gelb, Ph.D."). The website Big Head DC has made public Gelb's report of a polygraph examination he administered on 22 August 2007 to Wendy Ellis (AKA Wendy Cortez), a former New Orleans prostitute who claims to have been patronized by U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA). The report is attached to this post. Gelb's "Summary of Qualifications and Professional Experience," which appears as the last page, makes no reference to any university degrees, nor does he refer to himself as "Dr. Gelb" in it (as he did in his resume of 2002).

Isn't it time you corrected your website, too, Mr. Gelb?

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Is it actually even correct to write "Dr. Edward Gelb, Ph.D."?  Isn't that sort of redundant, like saying "I'm Doctor Gelb and I have a doctorate"?  Does anyone know?

Lethe wrote on Sep 20^th, 2007 at 9:17pm:

Is it actually even correct to write "Dr. Edward Gelb, Ph.D."?  Isn't that sort of redundant, like saying "I'm Doctor Gelb and I have a doctorate"?  Does anyone know?

I thought so, too.

I know for medical doctors they either refer to themselves as Dr. John Doe, or as John Doe, M.D..

I don't know of anyone who refers to themselves as Dr. John Doe, Doctor.

Sergeant1107 wrote on Sep 21^st, 2007 at 2:13am:

Lethe wrote on Sep 20th, 2007 at 9:17pm: Is it actually even correct to write "Dr. Edward Gelb, Ph.D."?  Isn't that sort of redundant, like saying "I'm Doctor Gelb and I have a doctorate"?  Does anyone know? I thought so, too. I know for medical doctors they either refer to themselves as Dr. John Doe, or as John Doe, M.D.. I don't know of anyone who refers to themselves as Dr. John Doe, Doctor.

It's quite common to list your title and your degree especially in academia where there are several degrees that confer the title "Doctor." It helps others understand which type of doctorate you hold.

Some examples:

Dr. John Doe, Ph.D., which is a terminal research degree in most disciplines
Dr. John Doe, Sc.D., also a terminal research degree equivalent to a Ph.D.
Dr. John Doe, Psy.D., which is a professional psych degree rather than a research degree
Dr. John Doe, M.D., medical doctorate, professional degree
Dr. John Doe, J.D., juris doctorate, professional degree - rarely used this way
Dr. John Doe, Pharm.D., pharmacy doctorate, professional degree
Dr. John Doe, Ed.D., education doctorate, professional degree
Dr. John Doe, D.P.H., public health doctorate, terminal research degree
Dr. John Doe, D.P.A, public administration doctorate, terminal research degree

This is not an exhaustive list...

While I agree that it is somewhat pretentious and a little bit redundant to say Dr. John Doe, Ph.D. It serve its purpose...

One other thing that I'd like to point out, in the hierarchy of academia the Ph.D./Sc.D. are the highest degree anyone can attain. M.D. and J.D. are considered professional degrees below the rank of a Ph.D.

Ah, thank you, digithead, for the explanation.  That does make sense.  Now, if only he had a real PhD and not a pretend one...

As the saying goes, it pays to advertise.
'Advertise' as in jazz yourself up. Sell the sizzle, not the steak.
Thing is, the average polygrapher is just as guilty and the APA encouraged
that behaviour in the first instance.
We were told by our APA Instructors that having completed our 10 week courses,
we were now 'Forensic Psychophysiologists' - that ranks right up there with the
phony PhD scam. Hell, half of the twats cant even spell anything beyond 3 syllables.

Most of them need 2 lines to write their 'letters' - ( I need at least 4 )

John Doe FP / Dr PhD / PSOT
/ Ph.D-DPA / BA -MGQT
/ Ph.D-ZOC / Dr - MQT /
/ Sc.D - POT & GKT / Dr APA