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Posted by George W. Maschke
- Aug 07, 2004, 11:48 AMThe FBI has administered yet another polygraph "test" in the Amerithrax investigation. This time, the "person of interest" (a legally meaningless euphemism for "suspect") was Dr. Kenneth Berry, the founder of a company called PREEMPT Medical Counter-Terrorism Inc. The polygraph examination, which was reportedly "inconclusive," is mentioned in an NBC10.com report titled, "Locations In N.Y., N.J. Searched In Anthrax Probe." Although this report does not mention Dr. Berry by name, he is identified in a follow-up report titled, Doctor In Anthrax Search Arrested In Domestic Dispute
Posted by George W. Maschke
- Sep 23, 2003, 05:11 AMAlthough making only brief reference to the polygraph (see especially paras. 25, 77, and 90-91), the complaint filed by Steven Hatfill against the Department of Justice and others will be of interest to those who have been following the Amerithrax case (1.7 mb PDF):
http://cryptome.org/hatfill-v-doj.pdf
http://cryptome.org/hatfill-v-doj.pdf
Posted by George W. Maschke
- Sep 15, 2003, 05:29 AMOn Sunday, 14 Sep. 2003, the Washington Post has published an investigative article by Marilyn W. Thompson titled "The Pursuit of Steven Hatfill" that may be of interest. The article mentions Mr. Hatfill's polygraph experience with both the CIA and FBI.
Today (Mon. 15 Sep.), the author will be fielding questions and comments about this article at 1 p.m. Eastern at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/liveonline
Today (Mon. 15 Sep.), the author will be fielding questions and comments about this article at 1 p.m. Eastern at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/liveonline
Posted by George W. Maschke
- May 31, 2003, 02:10 PMOrolan,
Locy's article indicates that the FBI has polygraphed "dozens" of scientists in the anthrax investigation. I'm not certain whether this is an indication that the figure of 200+ mentioned earlier has been scaled down.
FBI polygraphers rely heavily on the "Control Question Test." I'd be pleasantly surprised if it turned out that they used a Concealed Information Test instead.
Locy's article indicates that the FBI has polygraphed "dozens" of scientists in the anthrax investigation. I'm not certain whether this is an indication that the figure of 200+ mentioned earlier has been scaled down.
FBI polygraphers rely heavily on the "Control Question Test." I'd be pleasantly surprised if it turned out that they used a Concealed Information Test instead.
Posted by orolan
- May 29, 2003, 01:39 PMGeorge,
In going back to the original post(s) of this thread, what ever became of the 200+ polygraphs that were proposed? Did they do them, and what type of test did they administer? Or does anybody even know?
In going back to the original post(s) of this thread, what ever became of the 200+ polygraphs that were proposed? Did they do them, and what type of test did they administer? Or does anybody even know?
Posted by George W. Maschke
- May 29, 2003, 04:06 AMSee Toni Locy's article, "Anthrax investigators tail scientist '24/7'" in the 29 May 2003 edition of USA Today. Regarding Steven Hatfill's FBI polygraph interrogation, Locy writes:
One reason for anyone to refuse any polygraph "test" in connection with any criminal investigation is that the results may be (mis)used by "anonymous officials" in an attempt to smear a suspect in the press, as seems to be the case here. I'm glad to note that Locy appears to be skeptical of polygraphy.
QuoteHatfill is among dozens of scientists who have taken polygraphs at the FBI's request. An FBI analysis suggested he was "evasive" when asked a question about the attacks, a fifth source close to the probe says. Most states ban polygraph results from court because the tests are considered unreliable.
One reason for anyone to refuse any polygraph "test" in connection with any criminal investigation is that the results may be (mis)used by "anonymous officials" in an attempt to smear a suspect in the press, as seems to be the case here. I'm glad to note that Locy appears to be skeptical of polygraphy.
Posted by beech trees
- Sep 24, 2002, 11:29 AMA continuing expose on possible FBI malfeasance concerning Dr. Hatfill may be read here. Fair use quote:
This case is of particular interest to the polygraph discussion as both the press and the FBI have alleged at various times that Dr. Hatfill failed [repeated] polygraph interrogations, something that both he and his lawyer vigorously deny.
QuoteAnd at least one knowledgeable congressional aide said that while there is no proof of an effort to frame Hatfill, the public relations benefits of conducting a well-publicized search are impossible to ignore. ''There's nothing like having a bunch of guys in FBI windbreakers carting out someone's stuff'' to give the media and the public the impression that something is being accomplished, the aide said.
This case is of particular interest to the polygraph discussion as both the press and the FBI have alleged at various times that Dr. Hatfill failed [repeated] polygraph interrogations, something that both he and his lawyer vigorously deny.
Posted by George W. Maschke
- Aug 13, 2002, 05:38 PMbeech trees,
Where did you read/hear that Steven Hatfill failed three CIA-administered polygraph examinations?
Laura Rozen reported in June that Dr. Hatfill had failed a CIA pre-employment polygraph exam last summer, but passed an FBI-administered exam regarding the anthrax mailings.
But in today's New York Times, in an op-ed piece titled, "The Anthrax Files," Nicholas D. Kristof writes that Dr. Hatfill "has...failed three successive polygraph examinations since January, and canceled plans for another polygraph exam two weeks ago."
That would suggest a total of five completed polygraph examinations, though I haven't found any other published references to the three failed polygraph examinations this year to which Kristof refers.
Where did you read/hear that Steven Hatfill failed three CIA-administered polygraph examinations?
Laura Rozen reported in June that Dr. Hatfill had failed a CIA pre-employment polygraph exam last summer, but passed an FBI-administered exam regarding the anthrax mailings.
But in today's New York Times, in an op-ed piece titled, "The Anthrax Files," Nicholas D. Kristof writes that Dr. Hatfill "has...failed three successive polygraph examinations since January, and canceled plans for another polygraph exam two weeks ago."
That would suggest a total of five completed polygraph examinations, though I haven't found any other published references to the three failed polygraph examinations this year to which Kristof refers.
Posted by beech trees
- Aug 13, 2002, 01:34 PMFox News had reported that this fellow passed one FBI polygraph administered as a part of the anthrax investigation. Can anyone give an accurate count as to how many polygraphs this man has undergone? By my count it's four-- three allegedly failed CIA-administered, one passed FBI-administered, and one refusal on his part to take another based on attorney's advice.
Posted by PROAc
- Aug 13, 2002, 01:14 AMI read two newspaper articles (one in Insight and one in AP). Basically, the doctor lied about his background in Africa. Well if you're a white man in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) or South Africa, either you're anti-black or pro-blacks. Most investigators and polygraphers don't understand international relations. "Was the ANC a pro-terrorist group or not? Was Mandela a terrorist or not? Umm, I don't know!!!!"
Apparently Hatfill did not served in the Rhodesia Special Air Service (over 300 white Army guys) or the Selous Scouts (200-400 white men with 1,700 blacks) and was the most destructive counter-guerrillas group ever.
Apparently Hatfill did not served in the Rhodesia Special Air Service (over 300 white Army guys) or the Selous Scouts (200-400 white men with 1,700 blacks) and was the most destructive counter-guerrillas group ever.
Posted by George W. Maschke
- Aug 11, 2002, 08:33 AMThere's an article about Steven Hatfill in today's (11 August 2002) Washington Post by Tom Jackman titled, "Ex-Army Scientist Denies Role in Anthrax Attacks." The article is based largely on an interview Jackson conducted with Dr. Hatfill and his lawyer, Victor M. Glasberg.
Among other things, Jackman reports that after the FBI's June search of Dr. Hatfill's premises, the Bureau asked him to submit to yet another lie-detector "test," which his lawyer (Glasberg) advised against.
Among other things, Jackman reports that after the FBI's June search of Dr. Hatfill's premises, the Bureau asked him to submit to yet another lie-detector "test," which his lawyer (Glasberg) advised against.
Posted by George W. Maschke
- Jul 08, 2002, 08:56 AMDrew, Vance,
After reading Dr. Barbara Hatch Rosenberg's Analysis of the Anthrax Attacks on the Federation of American Scientists website, I'm more optimistic that there might be sufficient information about the preparation and dissemination of the anthrax letters with which to construct a concealed information test, at least for some (but perhaps not all) of those who have come under suspicion.
After reading Dr. Barbara Hatch Rosenberg's Analysis of the Anthrax Attacks on the Federation of American Scientists website, I'm more optimistic that there might be sufficient information about the preparation and dissemination of the anthrax letters with which to construct a concealed information test, at least for some (but perhaps not all) of those who have come under suspicion.
Posted by George W. Maschke
- Jul 07, 2002, 09:13 AMThe South African Independent Online website has an article by Tony Weaver dated 1 July 2002 and titled, "AWB sympathiser quizzed over anthrax killings." The article, which does not address the use of polygraphs in the anthrax investigation, provides information about Dr. Hatfill during the years he spent in Africa.
Posted by George W. Maschke
- Jul 04, 2002, 03:42 AMFred,
With regard to Wen Ho Lee, note that he passed one polygraph "test" in the "Kindred Spirit" investigation: that administered by the Department of Energy in December 1998. Then, in February 1999, he "failed" a polygraph administered by the FBI. (There is reason to suspect that this latter "test" was rigged; see Chapter 2 of the 2nd ed. of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for details.) In addition, Dr. Lee was never charged with taking any classified material home. Rather, the charges involved copying data designated "PARD" ("Protect as Restricted Data") from a classified to a non-classified partition of Los Alamos National Laboratory's computer system, and to back-up tapes.
When you write that Dr. Hatfill "should have been 'detained' and polygraphed several times ala Dr. Lee" I hope you're being facetious!
The information in the above-linked articles raises some questions about Dr. Hatfill; I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that he's the perpetrator of the anthrax attacks, however. Bear in mind, for example, how David A. Tenenbaum, Wen Ho Lee, and retired Navy petty officer Daniel M. King were publicly portrayed before trumped up allegations against them collapsed.
But it is entirely possible that the FBI did not scrutinize Dr. Hatfill as closely and as promptly as it might otherwise have done, since, after all, he had passed a polygraph "test" regarding the anthrax mailings. Nonetheless, it's clear after the FBI search of his home last week that the Bureau still considers him a suspect.
It seems reasonable to suppose that many of the laboratory employees polygraphed in the ongoing anthrax investigation will have learned about polygraph countermeasures, whether from this website or other sources, just as many employees at the national atomic weapons laboratories have done.
With regard to Wen Ho Lee, note that he passed one polygraph "test" in the "Kindred Spirit" investigation: that administered by the Department of Energy in December 1998. Then, in February 1999, he "failed" a polygraph administered by the FBI. (There is reason to suspect that this latter "test" was rigged; see Chapter 2 of the 2nd ed. of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for details.) In addition, Dr. Lee was never charged with taking any classified material home. Rather, the charges involved copying data designated "PARD" ("Protect as Restricted Data") from a classified to a non-classified partition of Los Alamos National Laboratory's computer system, and to back-up tapes.
When you write that Dr. Hatfill "should have been 'detained' and polygraphed several times ala Dr. Lee" I hope you're being facetious!
The information in the above-linked articles raises some questions about Dr. Hatfill; I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that he's the perpetrator of the anthrax attacks, however. Bear in mind, for example, how David A. Tenenbaum, Wen Ho Lee, and retired Navy petty officer Daniel M. King were publicly portrayed before trumped up allegations against them collapsed.
But it is entirely possible that the FBI did not scrutinize Dr. Hatfill as closely and as promptly as it might otherwise have done, since, after all, he had passed a polygraph "test" regarding the anthrax mailings. Nonetheless, it's clear after the FBI search of his home last week that the Bureau still considers him a suspect.
It seems reasonable to suppose that many of the laboratory employees polygraphed in the ongoing anthrax investigation will have learned about polygraph countermeasures, whether from this website or other sources, just as many employees at the national atomic weapons laboratories have done.
Posted by Fred F.
- Jul 03, 2002, 10:59 PMGeorge Maschke wrote:
So why did the FBI wait 6 months before going after this guy, do ONE polygraph, proclaim his "innocence" ? Wen Ho Lee, after passing SEVERAL polygraphs which the FBI claims he didn't, spends many months in federal prison only to get charged with taking home "sensitive" materials. The esteemed Dr. should have been "detained" and polygraphed several times ala Dr. Lee.
The articles George has linked to tell a torrid tale about Dr. Hatfill. However, since he did pass a polygraph once, he is dismissed as a probable and "released" from the defense contractor he worked for.
Hmmm, disgruntled scientist, knowledge of bioterrorism, passed polygraph.
Did Dr. Hatfill find this site and use countermeasures during his polygraph?
Fred F.
Quote In recent days, Dr. Steven J. Hatfill, has publicly emerged as the FBI's leading
suspect in the ongoing anthrax investigation. It seems he lost his security
clearance in July 2001 (shortly before the anthrax mailings) after failing to pass
a polygraph screening examination. However, he has reportedly passed an FBI
polygraph interrogation regarding the anthrax attacks.
So why did the FBI wait 6 months before going after this guy, do ONE polygraph, proclaim his "innocence" ? Wen Ho Lee, after passing SEVERAL polygraphs which the FBI claims he didn't, spends many months in federal prison only to get charged with taking home "sensitive" materials. The esteemed Dr. should have been "detained" and polygraphed several times ala Dr. Lee.
The articles George has linked to tell a torrid tale about Dr. Hatfill. However, since he did pass a polygraph once, he is dismissed as a probable and "released" from the defense contractor he worked for.
Hmmm, disgruntled scientist, knowledge of bioterrorism, passed polygraph.
Did Dr. Hatfill find this site and use countermeasures during his polygraph?
Fred F.