Federal Anthrax Probe turns to Polygraph

[George W. Maschke]

See 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:

Hatfill 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.

[orolan]

George,
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?

[George W. Maschke]

Orolan,

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.

[George W. Maschke]

On 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

[George W. Maschke]

Although 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

[George W. Maschke]

The 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