ABC News is reporting that the FBI has decided to increase its reliance on polygraph screening:

http://abcnews.go.com:80/sections/us/DailyNews/spy010228.html

Since the decision has apparently already been made, one wonders what purpose the eventual recommendations of Judge William H. Webster's blue ribbon panel will serve...

Last modification: George Maschke - 03/18/01 at 04:43:52

It seems that CBS News' report about Director Freeh having second thoughts about polygraph screening was wrong. Director Freeh had already ordered more polygraph screening when the CBS News segment aired last Friday evening (16 March 2001). In today's (23 March 2001) Washington Times, Jerry Seper reports in an article entitled "Freeh beefs up FBI's security" that the Times has received a copy of FBI Director Louis Freeh's confidential 5-page memorandum issued last week ordering expanded polygraph "testing":

http://asp.washtimes.com/printarticle.asp?action=print&ArticleID=default-2001323...

Considering that, as the FBI's top scientific expert on polygraphs has testified, polygraph screening has no more diagnostic value than astrology or tea leaf reading, it is hard to see how more polygraphs equates to "beefing up the FBI's security."

Where's the beef?

Last modification: George Maschke - 03/23/01 at 04:55:02

Ray,

Yes, I did receive your e-mail. If you had actually intended to post it to this message thread, please do, and I'll be happy to respond here.

Quote:


Certainly, our counterintelligence officials value the admissions/confessions obtained through polygraph screening. But they make the mistake of supposing that polygraph chart readings have diagnostic value for determining whether someone is a spy. As the FBI's own top expert has publicly testified, the diagnostic value of this kind of test is no more than that of astrology or tea-leaf reading.

By placing any reliance on polygraph chart readings, we run the serious risk of lulling ourselves into a false sense of security about those who "pass." U.S. News & World Report this week is reporting that the FBI is conducting an ongoing hunt for yet another Russian mole, noting that some 400 employees working on the case were required to take polygraph tests (as if that somehow could provide some assurance that the mole they're looking for is not one of those 400).

mdgray,

Exactly. In order for polygraphy to continue to have utility for getting admissions/confessions, government must promote public belief in a lie. The FBI's own leading expert on polygraphy, Dr. Drew C. Richardson, wrote in a memo to the director of the Laboratory Division that "a technique which has no diagnostic value would require such a universal bluff and disinformation campaign as to be impractical, if not comical, to continue over a period of time...." You'll find the full memo on this website at:

http://antipolygraph.org/hearings/senate-judiciary-1997/richardson-25-10-99.shtm...

One of the main purposes of AntiPolygraph.org is to publicly expose the bluff and disinformation campaign of which Dr. Richardson spoke.

Ray,

You wrote in part:

Quote:


The phrase "strapped to polygraph machines" appeared in CBS News correspondent Jim Stewart's report (see the 2nd message in this thread). It was Mr. Stewart himself who used the expression, not any "anti-polygraph proponents." It seems reasonable to suppose that the phrase is based on the image of the pneumo tubes that are fastened ("strapped") around the examinee's chest and abdomen. It could also be said that the cardio cuff is "strapped" around one's arm and that the GSR electrodes are "strapped" around one's fingers. In any event, I don't think your criticism of the phrase "strapped to a polygraph machine" detracts from the content of Mr. Stewart's report.

You also wrote:

Quote:


Yes, your post came through just fine! If you additionally choose to register with the message board (see the "Register" button in the upper right-hand corner of this page), you'll also have the option of going back and editing your posts and exchanging private messages with other registered users. I'm glad you enjoy this forum, and welcome your participation.

"Seriously do you really know any polygraph examiners who "strap" the subject to a machine or chair or anything"

I don't know what kind of examiner you are but I've been examined by 3 different polygraph examiners for pre-employment. (Passed first one, false positive on second, then passed third....real accurate results huh?).  Each time I was "strapped" by two cords around my upper chest and lower abdominal.  Along with my fingers being strapped down and had a blood pressure strap on my arm that he made it go so tight that my hand went blue and numb, he said that was normal!!! After each phase of questions, we had to stop and let the blood back into my arm!  If that's not being strapped in than I don't know what is?  What's your form of examination?  Looking into a crystal ball?

Nate,
GET A LIFE!! I suppose it all comes down to what the definition of "is" is.

Ray L.