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Hmmm...in context, it would appear that this report may deal more with how spies or personnel view security measures, rather than the actual effectiveness of the security measures (in addition to other topics covered, such as typical characteristics of spies)

Thus, it looks to me like the performance of the polygraph is being reviewed for its effectiveness in keeping people in line, rather than actually catching spies.  In other words, the assessment of the polygraph listed in this report appears to be as regards the fear it instills in employees, instead of its efficacy for catching spies.

Skeptic

Skeptic,

I also suspect that you are correct in surmising that the report is referring to deterrence, rather than detection, of espionage. Ultimately, though, the deterrence value of an invalid technology like polygraph "testing" depends on public ignorance. For anyone seriously contemplating espionage nowadays, an hour of research on the Internet should go a long way toward dispelling any such ignorance.

Unfortunately, the interim Project Slammer report, which seems to be the only publicly-available one, does not explain in what sense the polygraph was "consistently most effective" or on what basis that conclusion was reached.