What does this say about the use of lie detectors?

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050415/NEWS03/104150077/-1/news

FBI doubted tip on explosives

<snip>The tip came from imprisoned mobster Gregory Scarpa Jr., 53, a law enforcement official said this week. Scarpa is an inmate in the same maximum-security federal prison in Florence, Colo., where Nichols is serving life sentences for his role in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred Murrah federal building that killed 168 people. Timothy McVeigh was convicted of federal conspiracy and murder charges in the bombing and executed in 2001.

Scarpa learned about the explosives from Nichols, mainly through notes passed between them, said Stephen Dresch, a Michigan man who is Scarpa’s informal advocate.

Dresch gave the information to the FBI in early March. But FBI agents did not search the vacant house until March 31. The bureau did not act more quickly because Scarpa failed a lie detector test, said the law enforcement official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the investigation.

The FBI lab continues to examine the materials for fingerprints and other clues that might show where the explosives originated and who may have had them before they got into Nichols’ home.

[Pepperbelly]

1. I was an investigator for a number of years and ...

I do not believe that the polygraph is particularly accurate in assessing deception. It can tell how fast the subject is breathing, their blood pressure and how much their fingers are sweating. None of those things, btw, are actually decent indicators of veracity.

But ...

Some people will spill their guts before they get on the damned things.

[NNN0LHI]

2. In some states the results can be admitted as evidence in a court of law

Holy shit!

Don

[Richard Steele]

3. They should NEVER be admissable, IMO.

[Pepperbelly]

4. but ONLY if both sides agree ...

And even then I wonder ... evidence of what?

Slowed down breathing, increased perpiration on the fingertips, and blood pressure going up a bit.

Sounds like Tuesday for me.

:smoke:

[kliljedahl]

5. It doesn't matter

Under the HSD definitions, Nichols, Tim Mcveigh, Eric Rudolph & other wingnut aren't terrorists. Only groups from the left are listed. Under their definitions, even the KKK wouldn't be listed. Go figure.


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[FreedomAngel82]

7. Oy

That's what really pisses me off. We're the terrorist because we can be onto their shit I guess and they feel threatned to the democratic groups. :eyes: But Eric Rudolph is no terrorist. :eyes:

[HawkerHurricane]

6. A friend took a lie detector recently...

and failed. The detector operator claimed he lied when he said he did not use drugs in 2001. In 2001, my friend was a military police officer, in charge of the station armory... he was tested once a month by the Navy, if so much of a hint of drug use had come out he would have been dishonorably discharged... so my friend cannot work for the civilian police because he 'failed' a lie detector test that claimed he did the impossible.

Lie detectors do not work.

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. I took one once for a job

the guy told me I passed with flying colors and I had lied my ass off.