PAGENO="0001"
I
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
(Part 5-Testimony of Federal Bureau of Investigation
Witnesses)
L*1~J3Q
HEAR ING
BEFORE A
SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
EIGHTY-NINTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
MAY 25, 19(~5
~Printed for the use of the
Committee on Government Operations
S
~Zzccp'~ SJ
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1965
49-132
PAGENO="0002"
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
WILLIAM L. DAWSON, Illinois, Chairman
CHET HOLIFIELD, California
JACK BROOKS, Texas
L. H. FOUNTAIN, North Carolina
PORTER HARDY, JR., Virginia
JOHN A. BLATNIK, Minnesota
ROBERT E. JONES, Alabama
EDWARD A. GARMATZ, Maryland
JOHN E. MOSS, California
DANTE B. FASCELL, Florida
HENRY S. BEUSS, Wisconsin
JOHN S. MONAGAN, Connecticut
TORBERT H. MACDONALD, Massachusetts
J. EDWARD ROUSH, Indiana
WILLIAM S. MOORHEAD, Pennsylvania
CORNELIUS E. GALLAGHER, New Jersey
WILLIAM J. RANDALL, Missouri
BENJAMIN S. ROSENTHAL, New York
JIM WRIGHT, Texas
FERNAND I. ST GERMAIN, Rhode Island
DAVID S. KING, Utah
~HNG. DOW, New York
ff~iNRY HELSTOSKI, New Jersey
CHRISTINE R4v DAVIS, Staff Director
JAMES A. LANIGAN, General aunsel
MILES Q. RO~I.NEY, A8sociate General Counsel
I. P. CARLSON, Minority Counsel
RAYMOND T. COLLINS, Minority~Professional Staff
FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SUBCOMMITTEE
JOHN E. MOSS, California, Chairman
ROBERT P. GRIFFIN, Michigan
OGDEN R. REID, New York
DONALD RUMSFELD, Illinois
PORTER HARDY, JR., Virginia
JOHN S. MONAGAN, Connecticut
JOHN A. BLATNIK, Minnesota
TORBERT H. MACDONALD, Massachusetts
CORNELIUS E. GALLAGHER, New Jersey
SAMUEL J. ARCHIBALD,.CIIie.f, Government Information
BENNY L. itAse. Counsel
JACK MAT~ESO~v, Ckief Investigator
tILENNA G. D~NAT, Clerk
CLARENCE J. BROWN, Ohio
FLORENCE P. DWYER, New Jersey
ROBERT P. GRIFFIN, Michigan
OGDEN R. REID, New York
FRANK I. HORTON, New York
DELBERT L. LATTA, Ohio
DONALD RUMSFI~LD, Illinois
WILLIAM L. DICKINSON, Alabama
JOHN N. ERLENBORN, Illinois
HOWARD H. CALLAWAY, Georgia
JOHN W. WYDLER, New York
Ii
PAGENO="0003"
CONTENTS
Testimony of John P. Mohr, Assistant to the Director, Federal Bureau of
Investigation, accompanied by Ivan W. Conrad, Assistant Director,
and Bell P. Herndon, special agent supervisor
Letters, statements, etc., submitted for the record by-
Conrad, Ivan W., Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Investiga-
tion: Principal sources from the bibliography providing background
of physiological factors
Kass, Benny L., counsel, Foreign Operations and Government In-
formation Subcommittee:
Excerpt from Federal Bureau of Investigation Manual
Excerpt from polygraph examination of Jack Ruby
Form-Consent to interview with polygraph
Mohr, John P., Assistant to the Director, Federal Bureau of Investi-
gation: Requests to use the polygraph examination
Moss, Hon. John E., a Representative in Congress from the State of
California, and chairman, Foreign Operations and Government
Information Subcommittee: Federal Bureau of Investigation func-
tional organization chart
Index
APPENDIXES
(Exhibits 1 through 34 appear in parts 1-4 of these hearings)
Exhibits 35A-35J-State statutes and codes relating to polygraphs and
other lie detection devices
Exhibit 35A-Alaska, laws of Alaska, 1964
Exhibit 35B-California
Exhibit 35C-Illinois
Exhibit 35D-Illinois
Exhibit 35E-Rentucky
Exhibit 35F-Massachusetts
Exhibit 35G-New Mexico
Exhibit 35H-Oregon
Exhibit 351-Rhode Island
Exhibit 35J-Washington
Exhibit 36-Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of
President Kennedy, appendix XVII : Polygraph examination of Jack
Ruby
Exhibit 37-Reply from the Department of Justice: Federal Bureau of
Investigation
Exhibit 38-Supplemental report, Federal Bureau of Investigation,
March 27, 1964
Exhibit 39-Letter from U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of
Investigation, to Hon. John E. Moss, April 21, 1964
Exhibit 40-Letter from U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of
Investigation, to Hon. John E. Moss, May 24, 1965
Exhibit 41-Letter from Benny L. Kass, subcommittee counsel, to Henry
Wade, district attorney, Dallas, Tex
Exhibit 42-Excerpt from Federal Bureau of Investigation Manual
Exhibit 43-Federal Bureau of Investigation training for polygraph ex-
aminers
Exhibit 44-Supplemental data on use of polygraph by the Federal Bureau
of Investigation
Pag.
514
531
525
540
527
544
518
577
549
549
549
549
554
555
558
558
560
560
561
561
567
570
570
571
571
571
572
574
UI
PAGENO="0004"
PAGENO="0005"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" IN THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
(Part 5-Testimony of Federal Bureau of Investigation
Witnesses)
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1965
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SUBCOMMITTEE
OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,
~ Washington, D.C.
The subcommittee met at 10 a. m., in room 2203, Rayburn Office
Building, Hon. John E. Moss (chairman of the subcommittee)
presiding.
Present: Representatives John E. Moss, John S. Monagan, and
Donald Rumsfeld.
Also present: Samuel J. Archibald, chief, Government Informa-
tion; Benny L. Kass, counsel; and Jack Matteson, chief investigator.
Mr. Moss. The subcommittee will be in order.
We resume our inquiry today into the use of polygraphs by agencies
and departments of the Federal Government. This is a continuation
of studies commenced in the last Congress. The information we
seek here in the subcommittee is essential to final evaluation and a
final report by the subcommittee.
Our witnesses today are representatives of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, and we will first hear from Mr. John P. Mohr, Assistant
to the Director. He is accompanied by Mr. Ivan W. Conrad, an
Assistant Director, and Mr. Bell P. Herndon, special agent supervisor
of the FBI.
All three of you gentlemen are going to testify here today; is that
correct?
Mr. MOHR. Yes, sir.
Mr. Moss. Will you stand and be sworn together?
(Thereupon, John P. Mohr, Ivan W. Conrad, and Bell P. Herndon
were duly sworn by the chairman of the committee, and testified
as follows:) -
Mr. Moss. Will y"~ f for the record?
1a
513
PAGENO="0006"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
TESTIMONY OP JOHN P. MOHR, ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR,
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION; ACCOMPANIED BY IVAN
W. CONRAD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, AND BELL P. HERNDON,
SPECIAL AGENT SUPERVISOR
Mr. MOUR. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has endeavored to be of all
possible assistance to the subcommittee staff and has previously
furnished detailed information concerning the FBI's use of the
polygraph.
The FBI uses the polygraph as an investigative aid in carefully
selected cases involving criminal and security violations in which the
FBI has jurisdiction.
All persons interviewed with the polygraph are advised of their
constitutional rights and are required to sign voluntary waivers
indicating their willingness to be interviewed with this device. The
FBI does not use the polygraph in interviewing job applicants or in
personnel screening.
Requests to use the ~ polygraph originate with the special agent in
charge of the Field Division where the subject is under investigation.
These requests are reviewed and passed on by the Assistant Director
level at the seat of government, reviewed at the Assistant to the
Director level, and finally approved by the Associate Director.
During the course of a polygraph examination, the examiner, where
appropriate, inform.s the testee that he appears to be deceiving with
regard to a question or questions to allow foilowup interrogation or
additional investigation. However, the person is not informed of the
final opinions or results of the examination.
The physical and mental condition of each person to be tested is
considered to determine suitability to take such a test.
The FBI does not use the polygraph for personnel screening and
in this context the right of appeal is not applicable. However, in our
usage of the polygraph, if a person requests a reexamination, it would
be given if a logical reason existed to do so.
Polygraph data of the FBI is maintained in the substantive in-
vestigative case files and, therefore, is of a confidential character under
Departmental Order 324-64 dated October 8, 1964-previously
Dçpartmental Order 3229.
During the fiscal year 1964, the FBI handled 666,982 investigative
matters with the polygraph technique utilized in 593 investigative
matters or in 0.09 percent investigations or less than one-tenth of 1
percent. A total of 1,155 persons were examined in the 593 investi-
gative matters.
At the present tithe the FBI has 44 trained polygraph examiners,
but only 36 actually conduct polygraph examinations. Only a small
portion of the time of the special agents who actually conduct poiy-
graph examinations is spent on this work. It is estimated that
$18,500, or 3 percent of the total annual salary cost of the trained
examiners was allocated to this work in the fiscal year 1964.
The minimum qualifications for FBI polygraph examiners arc as
follows:
Age: The actual minimum age of an agent trained as a polygraph
examiner has been age 30. The majority of our examiners were
I
I
514
PAGENO="0007"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" 515
between 35 and 45 when trained and we only consider mature and
experienced agents.
Education : All special agent examiners have a minimum of a
4-year resident college degree and many have advanced degrees.
Grade or rank : The trainee must be a special agent.
Years of investigative experience : Actual minimum experience
has been 5 years for two trainees, while the rest of the examiners had
at least 10 years investigative experience prior to polygraph training.
Other requirements : All candidates for polygraph training must be
recommended by their field special agent in charge and must have
demonstrated excellent interrogation ability.
In addition, the following written qualifications have been furnished
our field offices to be used when selecting special agents for polygraph
training:
One, broad investigative experience with demonstrated ability
for thorough interrogation.
Two, marked proficiency in planning and conducting interviews
with particular reference to alertness and facility in thought.
Three, academic training in psychology, physiology, law, social
sciences, or previous training and experience with the polygraph.
Four, ability to gain confidence of others and handle people under
difficult circumstances with such personal characteristics as maturity,
stability of temperament, good judgment, and initiative.
Five, genuine interest in receiving training and developing skill in
scientific interrogation techniques.
Six, fluency in speaking a foreign language~
The initial intensive training is given by our own experts and lasts
2 weeks following which the examiners undergo on-the-job training
for 1 year under close supervision of the seat of government and in the
field during which time each of their examinations is reviewed by a
qualified supervisor. Advanced training seminars are conducted on
a regional basis in the field for polygraph examiners.
The FBI presently has 48 polygraph instruments, 9 of which re-
present experimental, research, and training equipment. The esti-
mated annual maintenance cost is under $100. Maintenance is per-
formed by our own personnel.
The FBI's official position with regard to the polygraph results is
that although the polygraph is often referred to as a "lie detector," it
is not in fact such a device. The instrument is designed to record
under proper stimuli emotional responses which may indicate decep-
tion when properly. evaluated by the examiner. Responses observed
during a polygraph test can and may be prompted by various factors.
The polygraph examiner must be extremely skilled, conservative, and
objective. The FBI feels that the polygraph technique is not suffi-
ciently precise to permit absolute judgments of guilt or nonguilt
without qualifications.
The polygraph is used as an investigative aid and the results are
considered within the context of a complete investigation. The
polygraph can be helpful to implement an interrogation and provide
investigative direction, but the FBI does not rely on it solely or use it
as a substitute for logical investigation.
In conclusion, I would like to comment briefly on the recommenda-
tions of the full committee as published in your recent House Report
No. 198.
PAGENO="0008"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
The FBI wishes to point out that we have used the polygraph only
as an aid to investigation in selected national security and criminal
cases, and not in applicant and general personnel screening.
The FBI does not use two-way mirrors and recording devices during
polygraph examinations.
In our experience and judgment, the polygraph technique does not
lend itself to accurate pinpointing of percentage validity. However,
with proper ethics by the polygraph examiner and tight administrative
control by the user agency, there is no question but that the polygraph
can be a valuable investigative aid to supplement interrogation in
selected criminal and national security cases. This, of course, is the
manner in which the polygraph is used by the FBI.
From the information we have presented to the subcommittee, the
FBI firmly believes that it meets or exceeds the recommendations of
the committee.
Mr. Moss. Thank you, Mr. Mohr.
Mr. Rumsf old?
Mr. RUMSFELD. ~ I have no questions.
Mr. Moss. Mr. Kass?
Mr. KASS. Mr. Mohr, are you a polygraph operator?
Mr. MOHE. No, I am not.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Conrad, are you a polygraph operator?
Mr. CONRAD. I am qualified to give polygraph examinations.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Herndon, are you a polygraph operator?
Mr. HERNDON. I am qualified to give polygraph examinations.
Mr. KAss. Is your title "polygraph operator"?
Mr. HERNDON. I am a special agent. But I could be considered a
polygraph supervisor at. the present time, supervisor in the polygraph
program.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Herndon, Mr. Mohr stated that there is no such
thing as a "lie detector," or at least he said the machine is not a lie
detector.
Is there such a thing as a lie detector?
Mr. HERNDON. Not to my knowledge. There has never been
anything on the market that has been scientifically proven to be a
lie detector, per se. And our Director has made that comment in
testimony in previous hearings with other committees many years ago.
Mr. KAss. What, then, does the operator of the polygraph do?
Mr. HERNDON. Well, he proceeds with a carefully controlled
interrogation and; in an effort to determine whether or not a person
is deceiving, he will attempt to evaluate certain physiological responses
which we know in some areas could indicate or possibly accompany
deception.
Mr. KASS. Is there a physiological response for a lie?
Mr. HERNDON. There are many factors with regard to a lie, and,
of course, physiological responses will vary with individuals. So I
can't give you one set answer.
Mr. ICASS. What type of polygraphs does the FBI use?
Mr. HERNDON. By type, do you mean manufacturer?
Mr. KASS. Yes, sir.
Mr. HERNDON. We don't endorse or recommend any particular
manufacturer. We use and have both the current Associated Research
Keeler models and also the C. H. Stoelting model polygraphs.
Mr. KASS. These are the standard type of polygraphs?
I
516
PAGENO="0009"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
517
Mr. HERNDON. They are well accepted in the modern practice of
polygraph use.
Mr. KASS. They record what functions?
Mr. IIERNDON. Basically, these instruments record three functions.
The pneumogram, the GSR, or galvanic skin response, and the car-
diogram.
Mr. KASS. You stated the FBI uses the polygraph for selected
national security type cases. What criteria do you have to determine
whether the polygraph will be used?
Mr. MOHR. Mr. Kass, it would depend on the type of case. As
I have indicated, we try to be extremely selective in the use of the
polygraph. We have what we think are excellent controls to make
sure that the polygraph is used in situations where we think it would
be beneficial. And I might say that when we consider the work of
the FBI, we consider all of it as being important; our investigative
activity is considered to be of a high rank and we don't necessarily
categorize any particular case.
The principal determining factor, as I indicated, would be whether
there would be any beneficial results that could be gained by the use
of the polygraph in a particular situation.
Mr. KASS. Who makes this decision?
Mr. MOHR. The initial decision would probably originate with the
investigative agent, who handles the case in the field. He would
then take it up with his supervisor, and the supervisor in turn would
make a recommendation to the special agent in charge, and then it
would be transmitted to the seat of government, where again a special
agent supervisor, who is supervising the substantive case here, would
consider it and then refer the matter to his assistant director, and then
to the Assistant to the Director, and finally to Mr. Clyde Tolson, the
Associate Director, who would make the final decision.
There are some cases where the Director would make a final
decision.
Mr. KASS. So that the policy of the FBI is that just the Associate
Director or the Director would make the decision in each and every
case?
Mr. MOHR. That is correct, in each and every case.
Mr. KASS. Is this a recent development in the FBI?
Mr. MORn. Prior to, I believe, 1963, the Assistant to the Director
made the decision and thereafter the Associate Director.
Mr. KASS. For the record, who is the Assistant to the Director?
Mr. MOHR. Mr. Alan H. Belmont.
Mr. KASS. Where is he, in terms of organization?
Mr. Moun. He is directly under the Associate Director.
Mr. Moss. Let us enter in the record the organizational chart of
the FBI. (See p. 518.)
Mr. KASS. Mr. Mohr, I haven't clear in my mind the criteria the
Associate Director would use. What would determine whether he
would authorize the polygraph examination to be given?
Are there specific instructions or specific written or unwritten
guidelines?
Mr. Moun. Yes. We~Il, not for him, no. We have provided the
committee with the requirements that the field must submit to the
seat of government, in order to get approval for the use of the poly-
graph.
49-132---65-pt. 5-~2
PAGENO="0010"
518
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
FBI FUNCTiONAL ORGANIZATION CHART
Mr. KASS. But what does the Associate Director look at in trying
to make his decision?
Mr. MoR~ Well, he would-
Mr. KASS. Can you give us an example?
Mr. MOUR. Give you what?
Mr. KASS. Can you give the committee an example of a hypo-
thetical case, where the polygraph would not be used, and a hypothet-
ical case where the Associate Director would make a decision to use
the polygraph?
Mr. MOHR. To give an extreme example would be where the person
to be examined is one who, shall we say, is mentally disturbed, or the
investigation has shown he is mentally incompetent. We certainly
wouldn't give one to such an individual.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Mohr, does the FBI make the determination that
the person is mentally i,~ompetent?
Mr. MOHIt. No, we do not. The investigative agent would con-
duct an appropriate investigation to determine the overall compe-
tency of the individual. That would be one of the factors he is re-
quired to consider in making his initial recommendation to the seat
of government.
Mr. KAss. To digress for a moment on the question of mental in-
competency, Mr. Herudon, can a person who is mentally incompetent
take a polygraph examination?
Mr. HERNDON. He can take it, but he should not.
Mr. KASS. Why not?
PAGENO="0011"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" 519
Mr IIERNDON Eecause be is not a proper subject, suitable for
polygraph interrogation.
Mr. KASS. Why not?
Mr. }TERNDON. Because a person who is mentally incompetent
is usually-a doctor would probably answer this better than I. I
am not qualified as a psychiatrist. But a person who is mentally
incompetent is considered divorced from reality, and therefore it
would be completely useless to interrogate a man who is divorced
from reality in an effort to interpret what he is saying or his physio-
logical response to what he has said.
Mr. KASS. Are all persons who are mentally incompetent divorced
from reality?
Mr. HERNDON. Not necessarily.
Mr. KAss. How would you make a determination that they were
divorced from reality? Do you give a person a psychological interview
prior to a polygraph examination?
Mr. HERNDON. We do not.
Mr. KASS. Does a psychiatrist sit in the examination room?
Mr. HERNDON. No, sir; he does not.
Mr. KASS. How can you make a determination that a person is
mentally incompetent and is divorced from reality?
Mr. HERNDON. The average interrogator, particularly in the
Bureau, with 10 years of experience of interviewing thousands and
thousands of people, builds up a certain commonsense approach as to
whether or not this man is a reasonably intelligent person, or corn-
petent, that he can properly participate in an interview. Our job is
to interview a person. I think the average agent who has experience
interrogating people can sense when he is talking to someone who is
not mentally sound. Therefore, he would not proceed with the poly-
graph interrogation.
Mr. KASS. Aren't there times when a person will be in touch with
reality, will be able to answer the questions, will have sufficient memory
to reme~rnber what you are asking him about, and yet could be de-
dared by a psychiatrist or the courts to be mentally incompetent?
Mr. HEItNDON. That is very true.
Mr. KASS. How do you know whether the person you are givin
the examination to, how do you know in each of the 1,100-some-od
cases you gave last year, for example, that the person was or was not
mentally competent to take the test?
Mr. HERNDON. We have some background data on these individuals,
and we have had brought to our attention nothing which would mdi-
cate that they are mentally unsound. In other words, we have a
background investigation. This man has never been in a mental
institution; his service record indicates he is perfectly normal; we
have nothing to indicate-let me put it that way-that he is mentally
unsound. And from everyday, commonsense interrogation pro-
cedures, there is nothing to indicate this man is not competent to
carry on an interview.
Mr. KASS. Of these 1,100 cases you gave last year, how many of
these ever finally go to court; do you know?
Mr. HERNDO~. I can't answer that exactly. We do not use the
polygraph as admissible evidence. It is~strictly an investigative
aid.
PAGENO="0012"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. KASS. I understand. But where you gave the polygraph to
these 1,100 cases, how many of those people, based on all of your
other investigations, were finally brought to court?
Mr. HERNDON. Mr. Kass, in order to be helpful, in the fiscal year
1964, we used the polygraph in 593 investigative matters involving
1,155 persons. Statistics available reflect that in approximately 15
percent of the investigative matters, or about 90, we obtain signed
statements or confessions. The majority of these will usually result
in court cases.
Mr. KA5S. Mr. Herndon, of those 15 percent or so that may or
may not have gone to court, how many of those were declared in..
competent by the judge?
Mr. HERNDON. None, to my personal knowledge, Mr. Kass.
Mr. KASS. Does the Bureau keep any records as to followthrough
or subsequent verification of your own results on the polygraph?
Mr. HERNDON. No, I think that would be an impractical job,
actually.
Mr. KASS. Why?
Mr. HERNDON. Because in many cases, when you render polygraph
examinations, many of the people are going to be, by chance, innocent.
In many instances you never know the final outcome of a particular
case, whether or not that person in fact was or was not guilty or was
or was not innocent.
Mr. KA5S. Now, you say many of these people may be, by chance,
innocent people. Could you explain this? You don't pick people
up off the street and start giving polygraphs?
Mr. HERNDON. Of course not. But we would naturally interrogate
logical suspects in any given crime. And if you have a number of
people that are considered suspects, let's say the crime was actually
only committed by one person, obviously some of those people are
going to be innocent, or we can presume to be innocent.
Mr. KASS. Have you ever run across a situation where the poly-
graph, or as a result of the polygraph examination, your polygraph
operator and/or the Bureau has determined this person is guilty and
in fact he subsequently turned out to be innocent?
Mr. HERNDON. I have had no such case brought to my attention
in that regard.
Mr. KASS. Have you ever found cases the other way?
Mr. HERNDON. You mean where we found people appeared to be
guilty-
Mr. KASS. No, where you determine they are innocent and they
subsequently turned out to be guilty?
Mr. HERNDON. I believe we might have had one or two instances-
and I am not certain of this. We may have had an isolated case
where an examiner felt that the person was not involved and later
it turned out he was involved. But these situations are relatively
rare.
You must remember that we do not consider the polygraph tech-
nique sufficiently precise. We don't expect our examiners to come
up with the conclusion that subject A or subject B is guilty or not
guilty.
Mr. KASS. What conclusions does the polygraph operator make in
the FBI?
520
PAGENO="0013"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. HERNDON. By our very trainiug, we expect our examiners,
when they have completed a polygraph examination, to give it the
best possible review they can, and then provide for the case agent
and the Bureau what we call investigative direction. Based on their
skill, their knowledge, and the interpretation of the charts, they can
provide indications as to whether or not this person may be involved
or may not be involved.
Mr. KASS. Now, you say very careful review of the polygraph
charts and the whole procedure. How long a review process is this?
Mr. HERNDON. It will vary with the individual examiner, and the
individual case, Mr. Kass.
Mr. KASS. Can you be doing it on a running basis?
Mr. HERNDON. Oh, yes. Obviously, as the man is proceeding
with the examination, he is formulating certain opinions at that point.
Mr. KASS. So, in other words, while you are looking at the chart,
as it is moving on, you can just by your own visual observation
determine whether this is an indication of deception or not?
Mr. HERNDON. Possibly, in some cases.
Mr. KASS. How would you determine which cases are and which
cases are not?
Mr. HERNDON. Depending on how the man is reacting to the
specific questions that have been prepared by the examiner.
Mr. KASS. Reacting on the polygraph chart?
Mr. HERNDON. Well, Mr. Kass, I know you are somewhat familiar
with the technique. As you proceed during the series, you have the
so-called control questions, the peak-of-tension series, and, by observ-
ing the reactions of the man to the specific questions, the examiner
can begin to formulate possible opinions, based on the man's physio-
logical reaction to the questions.
Mr. Moss. The reactions you seek are those that arise from what?
A guilty feeling? What is the impulse that causes a reaction to be
recorded? And does the recording occur on all three of the channels
of the polygraph, or may it occur on only one?
Mr. HERNDON. There, again, Mr. Chairman, that is a question that
could have several different answers, depending on many various
factors..
Mr. Moss. If it is dependent on a guilty reaction, you must assume
it is dependent on a guilty reaction, must you not, if you are
inter~"t it as relating to truthfulness or the lack of I
I a t sure I'~ r questior
the three~ channe.
~r. il1~
based on
tions, and the i
is a guilty
s palms to start
~, or his heartbeat to be
There may be a specific physiological response,
nted by the examiner, the particular ques.~
~i on how to respond to the questions.
521
PAGENO="0014"
522 USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. Moss. I am trying to get to the basic motivation. Are human
beings inherently truthful? Or are they truthful in relation to the
cultural background in which they are raised, their environment?
Are they by nature, by instinct, truthful?
Mr. }JERNDON. Mr. Chairman, that is a question perhaps a doctor
of philosophy could answer better than I could.
Mr. Moss. Let me make it clear. I think of all the groups we
have studied, that the FBI comes the closest to using this with the
care I feel it requires. There isn't the broad reliance upon it, at
least there doesn't appear to be, in my studies so far. But I think
these are questions which an operator must be able to answer if we
are to rely upon this device to the extent it is relied upon today in
private business, and in some of the departments of government,
where it is an essential part of the screening procedure in the hiring of
personnel.
Now, you are a well-qualified, well-trained operator. And this
is not in any sense an effort to embarrass you. But certainly, the
nature, the inherent nature or the instinctive reaction of a human
being to truth is essential to an understanding of whether or not a
fluctuation on a graph has significance.
Mr. HERNDON. I see what you are getting at.
Mr. Moss. Now, you must assume if he is telling a lie, there is
some guilt~ reaction, something that causes a stimulation.
Mr. HERNDON. That is a generally accepted fact. In general
people when they attempt to deceive-and I think many here some-
time in their lives have experienced a sensation under a specific
circumstance, where they have had to hedge or deceive-feel inner
sensations. I think those of us who are investigators certainly know
when you interrogate people, and you don't have to be an investi-
gator very long before you can observe certain manifestations in
individuals, that when they are deliberately lying they give them-
selves away.
Mr. Moss. Truth is not an absolute, is it?
Mr. }IERNDON. There are certain people who are pathological
liars, who are so calloused and hardened that they could lie all day.
Mr. Moss. Where would we find those, normally, with the greatest
frequency? In the criminal element?
Mr. HERNDON. Not necessarily, but there are a number in the
criminal element.
Mr. Moss. Would you say they probably represent a larger per-
centage of those involved in crime than those not involved in crime?
Mr. HERNDON. I wouldn't venture a guess on that.
Mr. Moss. But you can encounter them?
Mr. IIERNDON. You can encounter them in most walks of life, I
believe. ~
Mr. Moss. 1 suppose all of us resort to a little untruthfulness on
occasion. I may regretfully decline an invitation stating I have
a prior commitment, when I haven't a thing in. the world to do; I
am just tired.
Mr. HERNDON. I think that is the best answer. Many people
experience a certain sensation when they practice a falsehood.
Mr. Moss. All right. But there are certain things that you tolerate
as slight deviations, the "white lies." Do they cause the same
reaction in an individual that more serious untruths cause?
PAGENO="0015"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
523
Mr. HERNDON. In general, I would say they would be somewhat
less. In other words, greater severity of a situation would normally
enhance the reaction. The greater the psychological impact and the
seriousness of the situation are, one would normally expect, a more
significant response.
Mr. Moss. In some cultural backgrounds, a certain amount of
untruthfulness is tolerated and not regarded as being sinful, and would,
therefore, not place a guilt complex on an individual. So really, in
the interrogation of an individual, you would have to know a fair
amount about his background to apply this with any precision?
Mr. HERNDON. That is very true.
Could I add one thing in the light of your comments, that actually
in the FBI, the polygraph technique is basically-and I think this is
something we should keep in mind-is basically just an interrogation;
it is an interview with a person ; it is two men discussing certain facts.
The polygraph is just an instrumental device to assist the interrogator,
but the technique is basically an interview, an interrogation, a trained
skilled interrogator attempting to get the truth from an individual
in a matter in which we have jurisdiction.
Mr. Moss. I think there should be broad public understanding of
this fact, because I think all of us have read from time to time news-
paper stories which made it appear that X, who was under investiga-
tion, was undoubtedly guilty, because he had declined to take a
polygraph.
Now, I have said before, and I would repeat with great emphasis,
that, on the basis of my studies so far, I would absolutely refuse to
submit to a polygraph examination for any purpose. And there
should not be a connotation of guilt attached to such a refusal.
Mr. HERNDON. That may occur in cases where the polygraph is
used for precise judgments of guilt and nonguilt, but the Bureau does
not use it in that way. We are very firm on that policy. And we
insist our examiners keep that in mind in their interpretations of the
charts.
Mr. Moss. Thank you.
Mr. Rumsfeld?
Mr. RUMSFELD. I was curious to know what the gentleman means
by the phrase "pathological liar"-what he thinks that means. He
used it twice.
Mr. HERNDON. I think there are certain individuals who have
been described by psychiatrists and psychologists as pathological
liars, who, because of their emotional and mental makeup, Mr. Con-
gressman, can deceive or practice deception without any emotional
hesitancy or response whatsoever. In other words, they can lie,
feeling at ease, and not create any problem to themselves.
Mr. RUMSFELD. Well, to pursue the questioning that the chairman
was following, would you not answer "yes" to this question, that
different individuals, because of their environment, have developed
different levels or different categories of possible untruths that they
can tolerate and not be pathological liars, but be something in between,
just by virtue of their circumstances, background, and experiences
and associations?
Mr. HERNDON. I think that is true. And I think the trained
examiners and interrogators consider that, because they consider the
mores, background, and social status of the man and they have to
PAGENO="0016"
524
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
interpret some of his comments based on what they feel his position
would be.
Mr. RUMSFELD. In other words, they have to, in their mind,
determine what they suspect would be the code of this individual;
and only if the individual were asked questions that would lead him
outside of that code could you utilize the information from the exam-
ination? Is this fair?
Mr. HERNDON. I think that is a fair statement.
But you must realize, in addition to the polygraph part itself, the.
interrogation continues at some length and the agent and the man
talk back and forth, and ~ exchange ideas and viewpoints, and the
interview continues without the man being on the polygraph itself.
That also gives the examiner additional help in getting subjective
impressions of the man's comments.
Mr. RUMSFELD. It sounds to me like a terribly difficult responsi-
bility for the . interviewer. I am not knowledgeable about this.
Unfortunately, I was not on this subcommittee when the previous
hearings took place.
But you think of a person in the Army. If he were asked questions
about his colleagues, the men he was living with in the barracks, I
would suspect he might have a code whereby he wouldn't feel the
slightest bit of concern about misleading the person asking the
questions about aspects of his associates' activities, unless, for example,
it conceivably could at some point endanger the unit, or went to the
overall goal of that group of people.
Mr. HERNDON. That is a good assumption. Are you discussing
personal screening in this area, or a criminal case?
Mr. RIJMSFELD. Criminal case or anything. Individuals have
differing codes, if you want to use that word. Politicians probably
do. They may be asked "Do you plan to run for some office," and
they probably don't perspire when they say "No," if they really are
planning to run. This goes on every day, on television, before millions
of people.
I just am overwhelmed by the difficulty of the responsibility of
these interviews.
Mr. HERNDON. Someone has to do the job of interviewing people,
because interviews are the basic tool or technique of an investigator.
That is why the interviewers themselves should be people who have
good commonsense and have a knowledge of human nature, because
as you say, there are codes, there are standards that people will use.
We feel the agents we have in the Bureau that we have selected for
polygraph interviews are our men best able to sit down and develop
a rapport, and understand the man, and get him to volunteer and
talk to us as much as possible. It is our job, as investigators, to try
to get to the truth of the matter, of the particular Federal offense.
We feel with the men we have, with this additional skill we give them,
they are in a position to do a better job on behalf of the Government.
Mr. RUMSFELD. That is all I have, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Moss. How long has the FBI used the polygraph?
Mr. HERNDON. Actually, Mr. Chairman, we have followed the
polygraph from its very inception, back in the 1920's. We have
communications with the original Mr. Keeler, Mr. Larson, some of the
people who first started the technique.
PAGENO="0017"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
We have always followed it with interest. We have always kept
in touch with it in the FBI laboratory. We have been interested in
and used the polygraph in some form for perhaps 30 years. But we
have always used it highly selectively and only when we felt the cir-
cumstances were such that the polygraph technique could be of
benefit to our investigation.
Mr. Moss. Would you describe your use as experimental?
Mr. IHERNDON. We have had some usage of the polygraph within
our own agency, in the laboratory area, which would be considered
experimental. But I wouldn't consider any time we interrogated a
person in actual cases experimental.
Mr. Moss. Are you aware of any careful experimenting going on in
the Department of Justice on the use of polygraphs?
Mr. HERNDON. No, sir; I am not aware of such experiments at
this time.
Mr. Moss. Are you aware of any experimenting outside of the
Department of Justice?
Mr. HERNDON. Yes; I have liaison with other agencies and, as you
gentlemen know, from reports and studies, some agencies have spent
considerable money in research and experimental programs using
such scientific interrogation devices.
Mr. Moss. Are you acquainted with the results of such experimen-
tation?
Mr. HERNDON. Yes, I am.
Mr. Moss. Is this reported to you by any formal procedure?
Mr. HERNDON. Being a Federal agency, we have access to excerpts
and reports from other Federal agencies, and therefore, I would make
it a point to try to get copies of the reports.
Mr. Moss. In other words, your reference here goes to federally
sponsored research?
Mr. HERNDON. That is correct, sir. But we try to keep abreast
of all research available. I have in mind the document which you
publicly discussed, the assessment of lie detection capability, on
which the Department of Defense expended a considerable amount of
funds and did an extensive research job. We are aware of that study.
That is an example of what you mean, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Moss. Mr. Kass?
Mr. KAss. Mr. Mohr, in your polygraph regulations, or wht~tever,
these manuals are, it states under paragraph C(l)(b), and I quote:
Identity of persons to be afforded polygraph examination. Show age if it is to
be a factor in decision. If a minor, indicate whether waiver can be obtained from
parents or guardian. Specifly if persons are controversial or promineut fig~ires.
Specify if persons have any known physical or mental disabilities.
Mr. Mohr, what is the significance of having the FBI know if a
controversial or prominent figure is invOlved as far as their taking the
polygraph?
Mr. MOIIR. It wouldn't make any difference, except that at least
the people who are going to make the judgment as to whether to give
the polygraph ought to know that. That i~ all.
Mr. KAss. Why is that?
Mr. Momt. I mean the approving officials should know who they
are going to give it to, who the person is. In other words, we talk
about a controversial figure, why, there are any number who might
525
49-132-65--pt. 5~-'--8
PAGENO="0018"
526
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS `~UE DETECTORS"
fall into that category, and the only reason we ask that is that the
investigative agent should provide the background of the individual,
so that those who are going to pass judgment on it would know who is
going to get the polygraph examination.
Mr. KASS. This has nothing to do with Congressman Rumsfeld's
point, that maybe some politicians would not get favorable responses
and therefore you would avoid them?
Mr. MOHR. Oh, no.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Mohr, in your instructions to the agents, agents are
to "consider whether the use of the polygraph technique might jeop-
ardize any other prosecutive action." How would you explain that?
Mr. MOHR. Well, there might be a situation where a person might
already be, for instance, under indictment. We wouldn't want to
give a polygraph to a person who had been indicted.
Mr. KASS. Why would this make a difference?
Mr. MOER. Normally we wouldn't interview somebody who
under indictment since his attorney would not be present, and
could conceivably be an interference with his right to a fair trial.
Mr. KASS. Are there ever situations where the person taking the
polygraph is allowed to have his attorney present in the room?
Mr. MOHR. It has happened.
~ Mr. KASS. Do you inform them of their rights to have an attorney
present in the room?
Mr. MOHR. We inform individuals who are under arrest of the fact
that they can have attorneys or consult an attorney. In the usual
situation we would not give the polygraph with the attorney present.
Mr. KASS. Is it possible, however, Mr. Conrad, to get a reading
from the polygraph when a third party is present?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes, it is.
Mr. KASS. Is it a practice in your agency to have a third party
present?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes.
Mr. MOHR. Yes, the case agent is also present in the room when
the interview is being conducted.
Mr. KASS. You do not use two-way mirrors, do you?
Mr. CONRAD. No.
Mr. 1~ASS. Do you use any hidden recording devices?
Mr. CONRAD. We do not.
Mr. KAss. Mr. Moh.r, you referred in your opening statement to
a waiver a person must sign prior to taking the polygraph examina-
tion. Why does he have to sign such a waiver?
Mr. MOUR. We think it is important to insure that the individual
who is taking the polygraph examination is doing it voluntarily.
And we can't think of a better way of proving that than by the use
of this statement. He has signed it; it has been witnessed; and he
knows exactly what is going to take place.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Chairman, can we insert the waiver in the record
at this ~point?
Mr. Moss. Is there objection?
(No response.)
Mr. Moss. It will be inserted at this point.
is
it
PAGENO="0019"
I agree to the use of the Polygraph or so-called "Lie Detector" during this inter-
view or any part of it, and I am willing to be present at the time and place of
interview for such time as necessary to complete the interview. No threats or
promises of any kind have been made to me to obtain my consent to this interview.
Signed
Witnesses:
Date
Place
Mr. KASS. What is the person waiving?
Mr. MOHR. He is waiving his right or privilege to not take the
polygraph examination.
Mr. KASS. Does he waive his right or privilege not to have his
fingerprints taken?
Mr. MOHR. No, he can't do that.
Mr. KASS. Why do you make a difFerence?
Mr. MOHR. The courts have held the fingerprints are a matter of
identity and are not a matter of incrimination and therefore, one can
be compelled to have his fingerprints taken when placed under arrest.
Mr. KASS. Are there any other type of tests or interrogation devices
where the person has to sign a waiver?
Mr. Monu. I don't recall of any at this time.
Mr. KASS. What is he waiving? Is he waiving his constitutional
right? Is he waiving his right to have his privacy invaded? You
use the word "waiver"
Mr. MOER. The word "waiver" means just that. As I indicated,
he has the free choice to either submit to the test or not to submit to
it. And the fact that we have him sign this form shows that he
consents to be interviewed with the use of the polygraph.
Mr. KASS. Does he consent to be interviewed by an FBI agent in
the first place?
Mr. MOHR. Yes.
Mr. KASS. What happens if he denies it?
Mr. MOHR. The interview is terminated.
Mr. KASS. What happens if he refuses to take a polygraph exami~.
nation?
Mr. MOHR. There is no polygraph examination.
Mr. KASS. Is there any record or notation made in that person's
file that he refused to take a polygraph examination?
Mr. MOUR. The file would reflect he was offered the opportunity
of submitting to a polygraph examination and he refused.
Mr. KASS. Why would you put that in there?
Mr. MOIIR. For the same reason that he was offered the opportunity
of an interview and he declined.
Mr. KASS. Is there any significance placed on this refusal?
Mr. MOHR. No.
Mr. KASS. Do you pass this information to any other agency?
Mr. Mona. It could conceivably happen another agency could be
furnished data from our files.
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
CQNSDNT To INTERvIEw WITH POLYGRAPH
527
I, , consent freely and voluntarily
to be interviewed by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which
I also know as the FBI, in connection with
PAGENO="0020"
528 USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr.' KASS. Which would also reflect the fact he refused to take a
polygraph?
` Mr. MOHR. It might.
Mr. KASS. You also referred to the fact that the testee is not
informed of the final opiniOns and conclusions the polygraph operator
has rendered. Why not?
` Mr. MOHR. As Mr. Herndon indicated, we consider the results of
the polygraph interview not to be precise to the point where a person's
guilt or innocence could be judged, and since it is only an investigative
aid, and of value to the investigating agent, we don't make it avail-
able to the person being interviewed.
Mr. KAss. You say it is an investigative aid. Let's take this type
of situation : The only information you have on the individual is the
fact that the operator said that, based on the polygraph examination,
there is some indication of deception. What do you do with this
information?
Mr. MOHR. The investigative agent would use that to conduct
further investigation, with respect to that particular individual, to
confirm or not the fact that he might be guilty.
Mr. KAss. What if you don't get any other information?
Mr. MOHR. That would be the end of the case with respect to that
individual.
Mr. KAss. Is it in the file of the individual that he took a poly-
graph examination and that he has shown deception at that particular
point?
Mr. MOHR. The charts and ma,terial in connection with the poly-
graph examination would appear in the substantive case file.
` Mr. KAss. And that stays-
Mr. MOHR. In the FBI. This material is not disseminated to
anyone.
. Mr. KASS. Mr. Conrad, culd you discuss the training program that
polygraph operators take?
Mr. RUMSFELD. May I ask a question?
You said, Mr. Mohr, that this polygraph information is not dis-
seminated to anybody. Does that mean nobody, or does that mean
except the Internal Revenue Service, if they might want it, or CIA
if they might want it? Does it mean absolutely nobody outside of
theFBI?
Mr. MOHR. We do not disseminate the charts that are obtained
during the polygraph interview.
Mr. RUMSFELD. Well, you don't disseminate the charts. Do you
disseminate the information on the charts, on request from CIA, or
IRS, or State Department, or the Executive Office of the President,
which would be somebody outside of the FBI?
` Mr. Moun. The fact of the interview with the polygraph might be
disseminated under the circumstances you have indicated. If there
was an official interest in an individual, it might be disseminated to
them.
Mr. RUMSFELD. Thank you.
Mr. KASS. Just one question on that, Mr. Mohr. You say poly-
graph charts w uld not be available to anybody?
Mr. MOHR. That is correct.
Mr. KASS. Now, if the person, during the course of a polygraph
examination, admits or confesses to the crime in question, do you
submit this information, this admission, this confession, in evidence?
PAGENO="0021"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS `LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. MORE. Yes. Any admission during the polygraph examina'.
tion would be admissible evidence.
Mr. KASS. Is there an opportunity for the defense counsel to find
out the nature of the confession and how the person confessed and
the circumstances surrounding it?
Mr. Monu. If counsel is representing the individual, why, the in-
dividual obviously could tell him the fact he submitted to a polygraph
and what the circumstances of the interview were.
Mr. KAss. Does the defense counsel have an opportunity to cross-
examine or to examine the FBI agent?
Mr. MOHR. The one that conducted the polygraph examination?
Mr. KASS. Yes.
Mr. Momt. Normally he does not, because that would not be
admissible in evidence.
I can conceive of a hearing, however, where a judge might require
the presence of the examiner and he would be made available.
Mr. MONAGAN. If you got to the trial and go to the point where
the confession or the question of the admissibility of the confession
was raised, then it is conceivable, as a preliminary question, the agent
might be called?
Mr. Monu. Yes, certainly.
Mr. MONAGHAN. He might be required to testify?
Mr. MOUR. That is right. In other words, I can conceive of a
hearing, usually before a judge, as to the admissibility of the confession
and I can conceive where the polygraph examiner would be called to
testify, and he would appear.
Mr. KASs. Has this ever happened?
Mr. HERNDON. In a few instances.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Conrad, turning to the training program, could you
describe your agei~icy's training program for polygraph operators?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes. Basically our training program is tailored to
meet the needs of the FBI, and to the existing qualifications of the
trainee candidates, from whom we have to draw.
No. 1 , we have already a very highly selective source of trainees in
the agent personnel of our organization. These men are college
graduates ; they have undergone a very thorough field investigation
as to character, suitability, maturity, and so forth. Each of them
whom we bring in for this training has had at least from 5 to 10 years
of actual field investigative experience, and the selection is based on
factors which Mr. Mohr has previously outlined here, but which
specifically include aptitude for interrogation procedures.
With this type of individual to train, we have found that 2 weeks
training of a~ academi'~ nature, follow~ - ~roximately
1 of C1 rised on-~ ob ~ us
529
sum~.
ofthe 1-
Mr~ LASS. ~vir. Conrad, on policies do you mean the
we have discussed prior to this?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes. It also includes a résumé of t'~
background of polygraph development.
of things
PAGENO="0022"
530 vsi~ OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. KASS. Let me interrupt you at each point. On the history
and background of the polygraph, is there any prepared material the
students or trainees are given?
Mr. CONRAD. Nothing other than books which they can read, a
bibliography, to which they are referred for outside reading. A
copy of the bibliography has been furnished to the subcommittee.
(See exhibit 43, p. 572.)
Mr. KASS. Is this through a lecture type of course?
Mr. CONRAD. It is lecture and practical work.
Mr. KASS. How many students will sit in a course?
Mr. CONRAD. Normally about eight.
Mr. KASS. And the course continues for 2 weeks?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes.
Mr. KASS. Five days a week?
Mr. CONRAD. Six days a week.
Mr. MOHE. Seven, sometimes.
Mr. KASS. How many hours a day?
Mr. CONRAD. Eight, exclusive of homework. We also devote some
time to nomenclature and functions of the polygraph instrument.
We cover polygraph test techniques and the physiological basis of the
polygraph method of detection of deception.
We also cover psychological factors affecting polygraph use.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Conrad, do you give the lectures?
Mr. CONRAD. No, I do not.
Mr. KASS. Do you, Mr. Herndon?
Mr. HERNDON. I give some of the lectures, Mr. Kass.
Mr. KASS. Which lectures do you give?
Mr. HERNDON. I touch upon many of these subjects. I give the
history, and I give some of the policy. I work with several of my
. colleagues who are also instructors during the nomenclature lectures.
It is almost an individual instructor to student operation. We have
a faculty of three to four men who work with eight students.
So you can see it is a very small class and therefore it is almost an
individual attention relationship. But I do give lectures in policy,
history, nomenclature, and function, part of the polygraph test
technique, and thepractical case exercise.
Mr. KASS. ~ Mr. Conrad, who gives the lectures or the training on
the psychological factors affecting polygraph use?
Mr. CONRAD. We have some men who have training in psychology.
Mr. KASS. How much training?
Mr. CONRAD. Do you want the number of hours of college work?
Mr. KASS. Are they psychologists?
Mr. CONRAD. Originally, yes. The present instructor has graduate
work in psychology. Some of the initial training was by an individual
who had a Ph. D. in psychology.
Mr. KASS. You say "originally," but not at the present time?
Mr. CONRAD. The psychologist with the Ph. D. is no longer with
the organization, having retired.
Mr. KASS. What are the qualifications of the instructors for the
physiological part?
Mr. CONRAD. An instructor who has postgraduate work in physi-
ology.
Mr. KASS. Is there any course material given to these students in
thes~e two fields?
PAGENO="0023"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
531
Mr. CONRAD. Nothing other than the bibliography and the lecture.
Mr. KASS. What would they be required to read for obtaining the
background knowledge on the physiological factors that is in this
bibliography? Could you supply that for the record?
Mr. CONRAD. Surely.
(The requested information follows:)
The principal sources from the bibliography providing background of the
physiological factors are:
4. Ax, Albert F. "Psychophysiology of Fear and Anger," Psychiatric Research
Report 12, American Psychiatric Association, January 1960(a), 167-175.
5. Best and Taylor. "The Living Body," Henry Holt & Co., 1952.
31. Morgan and Stellar, "Physiological Psychology," McGraw-Hill Book Co.
1950.
Mr. KAss. By the way, does the FBI maintain a library so they
can get this information from these books?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes, indeed.
Mr. KASS. A complete library of all of these?
Mr. CONRAD. Our library includes most of these, and we have
access to libraries which do. For example, we have access to the
Library of Congress.
Mr. KASS. Would you continue? You were going down the list
of the training.
Mr. CONRAD. We also cover the effect of drugs on the polygraph use.
Mr. KASS. What is the effect of drugs on polygraph use?
Mr. CONRAD. In general, it can modify the degree of the response
of the individual to the questions that are asked. In extreme cases,
it might completely obliterate the response of the individual to the
question.
Mr. KASS. Into how much detail would the instructor go, in
talking about drugs?
~ Mr. CONRAD. Enough to acquaint the examiner with the fact that
this could affect the result and that he should be on the alert for any
indication that drugs may have been taken by the individual under
examination, so he can take that into consideration in his evaluation
of the examination.
Mr. KASS. How can the polygraph operator tell whether the person
is under the influence of drugs?
Mr. CONRAD. There are various physical manifestations that make
themselves apparent when one is deeply under the influence of drugs.
For example, if it is a sedative drug, one will become sleepy, obviously
sleepy, just as a man who is under the influence of alcohol becomes
more or less apparently drunk.
And there are, of course, chemical tests which could be given if it
came to the point of establishing smaller amounts.
Mr. KASS. Do you give chemical tests prior to a polygraph exam-
ination?
Mr. CONRAD. No, we do not.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Herndon, can a person under the influence of alcohol
be responsive to the polygraph examination?
Mr. HERNDON. Of course he can be responsive to it. Normally we
wouldn't interrogate a person who is obviously intoxicated.
Mr. KASS. Where would you draw the line? One beer, two?
Mr. HERNDON. In the pretest interviews with these people, we
specifically ask them about medication and alcoholic beverages.
Many people will volunteer the fact that "I was too nervous, Mr.
Herndon; I took a couple of tranquilizers."
PAGENO="0024"
1
Mr. Moss. What is the effeët of a tranquilizer?
Mr. HERNDON. A tranquilizer could suppress the physiological
reactions for which we are looking.
Mr. Moss. It could. Would it?
Mr. HERNDON. It depends on many factors, Mr. Chairman: The
nature of the man; how much drug he is accustomed to; when he took
it last.
Mr. Moss. Do you have a medical doctor available to make this
determination?
Mr. HERNDON. No, sir; we do not.
Mr. Moss. Do you have anybody who is sufficiently knowledgeable
to make this evaluation? What is the effect of three aspirins, taken
1 hour before the examination? That isn't a drug we normally
associate in context with the term "drug," but it is a very commonly
used preparation that has some effect upon physiological functions.
Mr. }IERNDON. To answer your question, I have had such cases
where people have come in and said "I took two or three aspirin,"
and the aspirin doesn't necessarily affect the overall interrogation
because if the person is properly interrogated and stimulated enough,
his reactions will still show through.
Mr. Moss. Will aspirin cause the blood pressure to drop?
Mr. HERNDON. I am not a doctor, so I am not qualified to specifi..
cally answer that question.
But I would presume aspirin could cause a slight decrease, perhaps,
in the blood pressure.
Mr. Moss. Do you know what the specific effect of aspirin is?
Mr. HERNDON. Medically speaking, I do not, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Moss. Medically or physiologically speaking. Again I get
back to the fact that the committee is concerned with the large voids
in this technique, which may only be filled by the highly trained
practitioner in medicine, not the psychologist, but the psychiatrist and
the physiologist. I recall hearing rumors that people sometimes take
aspirin to try to pass tests where they want to avoid having too high
blood pressure. I don't know whether it is true or not. But if it is,
then it would have some specific effect upon a subject taking a poly-
graph examination. Does heavy smoking have any effect?
Mr. HERDON. N )t based on my experience, unless a man was smok-
ing so heavily he was disturbing his respiratory pattern-in other words,
constant hacking and coughing would affect the chart.
Mr. Moss. I am a member of- a committee that is taking testimony
now on the matter of labeling tobacco products and some of the testi-
mony would indicate that cigarettes have a very real effect upon
circulation, and heart function. Do we know in the application of
the polygraph-which relies heavily upon the blood pressure and
upon heart action-what the effect of smoking is? Should we know
this?
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. Chairman, I would like, if I may, to respond
to the latter part of your question.
Mr.1~' ,. C~
Mr. ( ~AD~
the pol'
points r
makes, I believe i
the improper use of t~tie po~
~32
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
I
PAGENO="0025"
it. I would cite as a possible analogy an eyewitness. We still inter-
view an eyewitness to a bank robbery although he may have taken
three aspirin, or he may have taken a drink of alcohol, but we still
accept the information which he gives us, and then we attempt to
confirm it by ~ other investigation. We treat our polygraph in the
same light.
Mr. Moss. Let's take your analogy. Certainly there is a lot more
research on the reliability of eyewitnesses than there is on the r'eli-
ability of the channel on respiration in the polygraph.
Mr. CONRAD. Research with regard to what?
Mr. Moss.. The reliability of observation by a human being, of
some physical phenonema, whether it is someone hitting someone
over the head with a club or shooting them. And I recognize the
fallibility of this type of evidence, because you can have five eye-
witnesses and five different versions.
Mr. CONRAD. That is right, sir.
Mr. Moss. Which merely goes again to prove the unreliability of
human beings. And yet we have, not in the FBI, but we have, if my
information is correct, some agencies and some American businesses
that regard this as almost a precise instrument. And it is only taking
one small part of this human being and trying to measure that.
Mr. CONRAD. Well, we have already indicated we do not regard it
as having sufficient precision that it can be relied on in that way.
Mr. Moss. I recognize that. But here we have one agency where
the average of its personnel, from the standpoint of education and
preparation, is way above that of the other agencies using this device.
Your training goes to men who are already far more skilled at inter-
rogation and investigation than the average of some of the other
departments of Government. ~ You place less reliance on the poly-
graph than they do. These areas, which are of interest to me and I
think to my colleagues on the committee, are areas which clearly you
have not explored, where you are not prepared to give an answer,
Or make a judgment. I think this is important to the committee in
establishing the bounds of this problem of polygraphs and their use.
Mr. CONRAD. My only point, Mr. Chairman, was simply the one
that in the way in which the FBI uses the polygraph, it really wouldn't
make too much difference to us whether the examinee has had three
aspirins or not. We take the information and fit it in with all of the
other information available at our disposal.
Mr. Moss. It would only make a difference if at that point this
might become the deciding factor in a case where you determined
not to move ahead.
Mr. CONRAD. It would never do that in our work, sir.
Mr. Moss. All right. If you would never make it the deciding
factor, then your statement is clearly correct.
Mr. MOER. That is correct, sir.
Mr. Moss. Mr. Kass?
Mr. KASS. Mr. Ilerndon, when a person lies, can his respiration ott
the chart go up?
Mr. HERNDON. It can.
Mr. KAss. Can it go down?
Mr. HERNDON. It can.
Mr. KASS. Can his galvanic skin response go up and down?
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
533
I
49-132-65-pt. 5--4
PAGENO="0026"
534 USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. HEENDON. Yes.
Mr. KASS. And likewise with the blood pressure and pulse.
Mr. HERNDON. There is no set prediction what the physiological
response of any given individual will be.
Mr. KASS. If the chart can go up or down on all three of the so-
called parameters, how can you determine whether there is even an
indication that you have to go forward?
Mr. IIERNDON. Because the good polygraph examiner establishes a
normal pattern, a normal tracing, somewhere along the line, for the
examinee, giving him the benefit of tension and nervousness.
Mr. KASS. How do you establish the normal pattern?
Mr. HERNDON. There are several ways. The use of irrelevant
questions will tend to establish a normal pattern, because an irrelevant
question should not normally emotionally upset the man. "Is your
first name Benny?" "Is your last name Kass?" There should be no
problem there.
Mr. KASS. What happens if that did upset me?
Mr. HERNDON. If you had a reaction to that, I would tell you
about it, and I would ask you why, and you would probably come up
with an answer and I would consider that in my overall interpretation.
But in our practice, Mr. Kass, we establish a norm series. During
the adjustment of the instrument to the particular examinee, while
we are adjusting the instrument, our examiner will run the chart*
for 2 or 3 minutes without any outside stimuli, such as noise or inter-
rogation. This gives the examiner a good idea generally of what the
examinee's normal breathing pattern is, how tense he may be, what his
normal tracing should be with regard to blood pressure, and his gal-
vanic skin response.
Mr. KASS. You take a person who just sat in this hearing and
he knows this, and he comes into your polygraph examination room
this afternoon. He knows you are trying to establish his normal pat-
tern the first 2 or 3 minutes. Is it within the capacity of an individual
to regulate the GSIR, to regulate the breathing, to regulate the blood
pressure and pulse?
Mr. HERNDON. If he attempts to control or supersede the auto-
nomic nervous system, he can in some degree control or change these
components. It is possible, yes.
Mr. KAss. Then how can you arrive at a "normal" for a person
who is volunteering to take the test but feels he can beat the test?
~ Mr. HERNDON. By training of the examiner and observation of the
examinee. Many of the things a person may do to try to alter his
normal patterns are relatively noticeable and easily detected by a
trained and skilled examiner.
Mr. KAss. You are talking about possibly the run-of-the-mill
criminal-type case. But you also said you used it in selected national
security cases. Isn't it possible that the other side, whatever side
that may be, could train their personnel so that they could get through
without being picked up on the polygraph?
Mr. HERNDON. It is probable. They train some of their people in
an effort to counter the polygraph.
Mr. KAss. How do you know it is not done? How can you counter-
act that?
Mr. HERNDON. By using our best judgment and skill to counteract
what we think they might be doing. But here again we are not making
PAGENO="0027"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" 535
great decisions based solely on this examination. We are still trying
to get an interview going with this man, and we might get some
worthwhile information.
Mr. KAss. What happens if the individual just doesn't believe
in the polygraph, if he doesn't think it is infallible?
Mr. HERNDON. Well, if he doesn't believe in the polygraph, doesn't
want to take the test-
Mr. KASS. No; he takes it.
. Mr. HERNDON. We just continue with the interview.
Mr. KASS. Are you going to get a response then?
Mr. HERNDON. It would depend. I couldn't answer that question
unless I knew what type of questions we are discussing with the man
and depending on his physiological makeup.
Mr. KASS. How do you determine the person's physiological
makeup at the time of the interview?
Mr. HEENDON. When he is first connected to the polygraph and
during the first series of questions, the examiner obtains a good insight
into whether the person is capable of a response.
Mr. KASS. How do you determine whether he is capable of a
response? That is the basic question.
Mr. HERNDON. Here again, going into the technique itself, you
have such things as the control question, guilt complex, peak of ten-
sion, and some other techniques which will establish a significant
reaction.
Mr. KASS. By the way, in the report on the President's Commis-
sion on the Assassination of President Kennedy, it was reported that,
just before you gave the polygraph examination to Jack Ruby, you
snapped your fingers.
Mr. HERNDON. That was done to adjust the GSR. The visual or
auditory stimulus of snapping the fingers would be picked up in his
mind and it would cause a physiological response which is very
noticeable on the GSR.
Mr. KASS. How valid or reliable is the GSR?
Mr. HERNDON. The GSR component is just one of the three that
we normally use. For our purpose we wouldn't want to depend on the
GSR alone in making any findings. In laboratory research work,
psychiatrists and psychologists have been using GSR for a number of
years and it is reported to be fairly reliable. We have no percentage
figures concerning its validity, because we don't use GSR solely.
We use it to corroborate the other two tracings.
Mr. KAss. But will there always be identical tracings, up and down,
of GSR, blood pressure and respiration?
Mr. HERNDON. No, sir.
Mr. KASS. Is it possible when a person is ~1ying or is emotional,
that one of those three components will give you an indication?
Mr. HERNDON. That is correct. Some people tend to respond in
one, two or all three.
Mr. KASS. Is it possible they will respond in one index at one point
and in another index at another point?
Mr. HERNDON. It is possible.
Mr. KAss. How do you know whether they are deceiving or not?
Mr. HERNDON. By the examiner comparing the critical responses
with the normal patterns and responses we have established with so-
called control questions.
PAGENO="0028"
536 USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS LIE DETECTORS
~ Mr. KASS. Let's reserve the control questions for a moment. Are
you satisfied, in your operation of the polygraph, that you are getting
so-called normal responses from the person, so when you ask a rele-
vant question you will obtain a significant deviation?
Mr. HERNDON. I believe so, with the use of controls and techniques,
such as the guilt complex and peak tension technique.
Here again what I am getting at, Mr. Kass, is not a firm judgment,
but an informed opinion, if I may use such terminology. I am trying
to get across the fact that we don't say because subject A responds
higher in one place than another, that he is deceiving. But it gives
an examiner, who has had years of experience and training interrogat-
ing people with this instrument, a good indication that this particular
question has created a sufficient physiological disturbance that it is
possible he is engaging in deception. Many times when one challenges
the man about his response, he is aware of a sensation and he will
admit to it thereby perhaps opening up the avenue for a confession.
Mr. KASS. What if the person doesn't admit to it?
Mr. HERNDON. It is still the job of the investigator to try to solve
the case without a confession.
Mr. KAss. Let's get to the techiiiques for a moment. Can you
explain what you mean by the control question technique?
Mr. HERNDON. In many types of scientific examination you have
to establish a control. A control question in polygraph technique is a
que~ion concerning which the examiner would normally expect a
particular individual to attempt to deceive or hedge thereby giving a
physiologIcal response.
Mr. KAss. You stated a "scientific" technique. Do you consider
the polygraph to be a scientific technique?
Mr. IIERNDON. I consider it more of an art or skill, but it does have
some fundamentals in the area of science, but it is not pure science.
Mr. KASS. Did you give the polygraph examination to Jack Ruby?
Mr. IIERNDON. Yes, sir, I did.
Mr. KAss. Could you explain the circumstances behind that?
Mr. HERNDON. I would like to comment that the polygraph
examination of Jack Ruby was given at the specific request of the
Chief Justice of the United States, who was then Chairman of the
President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy.
He agreed to Mr. Ruby's many requests for a polygraph examination
in his hearing with Mr. Ruby at Dallas, Tex. Mr. Ruby, at the very
beginning of his conversations with the Chief Justice, specifically
asked for a lie detector test, a polygraph examination.
Mr. KAss. Why was this?
Mr. HERNDON. He indicated, I believe, he wanted to prove to the
Commission and to thQ world, that there was no conspiracy between
him and Oswald.
Mr. MONAGAN. Was this with relation to the Warren Commission
investigation?
Mr. HERNDON. That is correct.
Mr. MONAGAN. Not with relation to any criminal prosecution?
Mr. HERNDON. No.
Mr. Moss. The Chair would like to say that the staff has contacted
the district attorney in Dallas, Tex., about this matter, so any dis-
cussion here today is sanctioned and is not meant to interfere in any
manner with any appeal pending there.
PAGENO="0029"
uSE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. KASS. Mr. Herndon, for the record, when was this polygraph
examination?
Mr. HERNDON. It was July 18, 1964.
Mr. KASS. Could you give us any indication of the time that the
polygraph examination took?
Mr. HERNDON. Mr. Kass, in that regard the polygraph examina-
tion was part of an overall hearing that the Commission held with
Mr. Ruby in the Dallas County jail. The hearing itself began
shortly after lunch. It is all a matter of record in the testimony
before the Warren Commission. As I recall, the polygraph examina-
tion didn't proceed until approximately midafternoon, about 3 o'clock.
We conducted approximately five or six series of questions up until
about 5 o'clock, after which Mr. Ruby had close to about a 2-hour
break. We resumed early in the evening and the test continued
until approximately 9 o'clock.
Mr. RUMSFELD. Who prepared the questions for that?
Mr. HERNDON. The questions were specifically prepared by the
Warren Commissi n, with some alteration and modification in form
by me as the examiner to make the questions conform to polygraph
requirements.
Mr. KASS. Is it a normal practice to have the subject tell you
questions to ask him?
Mr. E[ERNDON. It is not normal practice, but it happened in this
instance.
Mr. KAss. For the record, this examination began at 2 :58 p.m.,
and lasted until 4 :45, p.m., and resumed at 6 :25 and lasted until
8 :59. And the deposition took an additional hour. Is it normal
FBI practice to give a polygraph examination for such a great length
of time?
Mr. HERNDON. It is not, but there could be a major case where
we might run as lông as 4 hours, but normally we don't take that
long on a polygraph.
Mr. KAss. You say it has been done?
Mr. HERNDON. There could be a specific major kidnaping or bank
robbery case where because of circumstances and so many questions
to cover it could proceed into perhaps 3 or 4 hours, the examinee
being willing. But here again we would give the examinee every
opportunity for a rest, a break, and show great concern for his welfare.
Mr. KASS. Will a person ever get to a point where he becomes
insensitive to the polygraph examination?
Mr. HERNDON. In my opinion a person may reach a point where
he becomes insensitive to a polygraph examination.
Mr. KASS. How can you tell?
Mr. HERNDON. Generally you can tell by their physical inanifesta-
tions during the interview, plus their charts. Their charts may
flatten out, as we call it. They become somewhat immune ~ to the
technique.
Mr. KASS. Will the chart flatten out with respect to the so-called
relevant questions you ask or just with respect to the so-called normal
questions, or will the norm be the same?
Mr. HERNDON. Are you speaking with regard to a person who has
become desensitized?
Mr. KASS. Correct.
537
PAGENO="0030"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. ETERNDON. Normally they would flatten out to both types of
questions.
Mr. KASS. You stated earlier you try to develop a person's norm
on the chart so by asking relevant questions you can get some sort of
rising or lowering on the chart. When a person becomes desensitized,
is his norm still the same as it was before on the chart?
Mr. HERNDON. No, sir.
Mr. KAss. It changes?
Mr. }TERNDON. It usually changes. In other words, he would
become somewhat immune to the technique and you wouldn't have
the same tracings. It is possible with some people when they become
desensitized the tracings could become erratic. I can't say flattening
out is the only sign of desensitization. Should people show signs of
fatigue we terminate the examination.
Mr. KASS. What do you mean by "flattening out"? Is there
nothing on the chart?
Mr. HERNDON. The tracings would become somewhat insignificant.
There would be no discernable reaction.
Mr. KASS. What about his norm, where there were no significant
variations?
Mr. HERNDON. ~ That is usually established in the early part of the
examination while the man is relatively fresh and the questions are
fresh in his mind.
Mr. KASS. What causes a person to be desensitized?
Mr. HERNDON. I think it is the very fact that physiologically, in
due time, the physiological system will tend to either not respond or
will in some cases become irritated and the person can't sit still any
more.
Mr. KASS. But there can be responses?
Mr. HERNDON. Yes, sir.
Mr. Moss. Now, if it is irritating, can it not produce very definite
responses, responses that would be very similar to those which might
occur because a person is emotional?
Mr. HERNDON. Very true. We are very careful in that regard.
We specifically train our people to insure that the blood pressure cuff
is not on a person for too great a length of time.
Mr. Moss. What is too great a length of time?
Mr. HERNDON. This wifi vary again with the physical condition of
the person beingexamined. Usually the average examiner will not run
a series beyond 3 to 4 minutes.
Mr. Moss. And then he relieves the pressure on ~ the cuff?
Mr. HERNDON. That is right, completely relieves the pressure and
usually there is an interruption or break period between series.
Normally the FBI polygraph examiners will not use long multiple
series of qusetions on the polygraph. As Mr. Kass mentioned, the
Ruby case was a highly unusual and unique case and the technique
used there would not be considered normal procedure.
Mr. Moss, Are there any physical conditions where a person could
actually experience pain from the application of the cuff?
Mr. HERNDON. If the cuff had been applied, Mr. Chairman, an
excessive length of time, there could be physical discomfort.
Mr. Moss. In normal application, I mean, are there physical
conditions where the cuff could be painful?
Mr. HERNDON. Some people don't like the cuff pressure on their
arm. In that regard, we would discontinue the examination if they
538
PAGENO="0031"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
539
so requested or if there was any indication of trauma or any discomfort
to the person.
Mr. Moss. Supposing you have a willing subject with a physical
condition which would cause the cuff to be painful. Can that happen?
Mr. MOELR. You mean if they told you it was painful?
Mr. Moss. Maybe they were anxious to take the test and get it
over with.
Mr. HERNDON. Preceding each examination, the examiners are
trained to carefully go over with the examinee the physical condition
of the examinee that day.
Mr. Moss. It seems to me that one of the publications, and I am
not clear in my mind whether it was a book or testimony, but I recall
that the inference would be drawn from a complaint of discomfort in
the application of the cuff that the person was probably trying to
avoid questions or beat the machine. How do you differentiate be-
tween a valid complaint and a specious complaint?
Mr. HERNDON. If the person was complaining about the cuff hurt-
ing him, you would have to go along with the examinee. But it is a
known fact that some people, when they come to take a polygraph
examination, who perhaps are concerned that they are involved, could
as a guise say "This bothers me, take it off." That has happened. I
think using commonsense and the ability of an interrogator, it is
usually obvious to him that this man is trying not to take the exam-
ination.
Mr. Moss. Well, this is not determinative, you indicated, in the
practice of the FBI. But there are other instances where it would be.
As an experienced examiner, have you knowledge of conditions or do
you know whether there are conditions where it would in fact be pain-
ful and where such a complaint would be completely valid?
Mr. HERNDON. In the thousands of cases of which I have knowledge
no one has ever specifically made that complaint, sir, that this has
caused physical harm to their arm, or would cause it.
Mr. Moss. I don't mean harm. I mean pain or discomfort. Has
anyone ever complained to you of discomfort?
Mr. HERNDON. In some of the examinations a person might say
"I feel a tingling sensation," and at that point I would release the
pressure and I would reduce my series questions.
Mr. Moss. I don't know what the effect of sclerosis might be on a
person taking such a test. I don't know whether it would have any
effect. I don't know what effect it might have on people of middle
age or later who have some impairment of nerve sensations in their
arm because of a pinched nerve as a result of closing the cervical
openings. And these are common complaints in persons as they move
along beyond the middle years. I don't know what effect this would
have on the placing of the cuff on the arm. To your knowledge has
any determination of this been made?
Mr. HEBNDON. To my knowledge we have had no trouble in that
regard. As you may know, it is possible if a person seems to be sensi-
tive to a cuff on the arm, there are other ways of measuring the same
response, by lowering it to the wrist, and that has been done in some
cases.
Mr. Moss. Is that a technique that is known to all examiners?
Mr. HERNDON. I don't know. I do know it is known to all the
examiners in the FBI, to change the cuff to a wrist cuff, so they would
feel less pressure.
PAGENO="0032"
I
540 USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. Moss. Now if this was a physiological problem that caused
the discomfort, would it be lessened by placing it on the wrist?
Mr. HERNDON. Probably so, but here again I would have to know
the nature of the problem. We have consulted with doctors in regard
to a specific examinee, if we feel he has a problem. In that connection,
I might add when we have a situation where we believe a person wants
to take a polygraph, as you suggested, and who would feel we were
remiss if we didn't give it to him, and yet there is some indication he
has a medical problem, we have in the past contacted his doctor and
said "Your patient, so and so, wants to be interviewed with a poly-
graph. Do you know of any reason why we can not proceed with the
examination?" And we explain what we do. We actually clear with
the physician first.
Mr. Moss. I don't know how much research has been done in this
field to determine these facts. That is why I raise them, not because
the FBI will use it this way, but again I am mindful of the fact that
this is widely used in American business and industry, and frequently
the failure to successfully take a test, whatever that means, means
you are not hired. And if someone should lose the opportunity for
employment purely over some physiological problem, that would be
very unfair, very unjust. So many of my questions are merely to
. establish the fact that even with a well-trained operator these areas
have not been fully explored. Certainly in the 6-week miracle who
may have no degree of any kind-he might only have a high school
diploma and his machine-it is inconceivable that he will make any-
where near as much of an evaluation as you people can.
Mr. Kass.
Mr. KAss. Mr. Herndon, during the course of the Ruby polygraph
examination, you stated, and I quote from volume 14 of the hearings
of the Commission at page 590:
In general practice of polygraph work, generally speaking, the control questions
are of lesser severity than the actual pertinent questions, but in those cases where
the person appears to be telling the truth, we find they will respond more to the
control questions than the critical question, even though the critical question
has more potency and is more severe with regard to his well-being.
Could you explain this concept of the control technique? As I
understand it, it is rather important to the polygraph technique. Is
that correct?
Mr. HERNDON. It is a vital part of the technique, that is correct,
Mr. Kass, although I think it would be pretty hard for me to amplify
on it beyond the way it is in the book. I meant what I said in the
book, but if I could perhaps put it another way, the control question
is a question wherein you expect to get a response from an individual
who will probably, because of the nature of the question, practice
deception. And we use that as a gage or control in comparing it with
the reaction to the critical or relevant questions.
. Mr. KASS. Who determines whether the person will be severely or
less severely affected by the control question? Who prepares the
control question?
Mr. HERNDON. The polygraph examiner prepares the control
questions.
Mr. KASS. How does he know what questions to ask?
Mr. HERNDON. Based on the general concept of the technique, the
control question has to be somewhat generally related to the instant
PAGENO="0033"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
541
offense, but not the critical question. In other words, if it is a theft
case, a control question would be along the lines of another type of
theft or similar theft, somewhat related, yet a specifically different
question.
Mr. KASS. How do you know it is of less severity than the actual
critical question?
Mr. HERNDON. In that regard you have to presume that the suspect
is concerned about the main offense, that is why he is there, the main
offense being a serious criminal offense which the FBI is asking about.
And my control question is usually of such a nature that even if the
man was guilty of this, it would not be as serious a crime as the main
offense.
Mr. KASS. You say you have to presume. What is your assump-
tion based on?
Mr. HERNDON. Interviewing procedures and techniques.
Mr. KASS. Does the control question have to be of lesser severity?
Mr. HERNDON. It doesn't necessarily have to be. It usually is.
Mr. KASS. Who determines the degree of severity?
Mr. HERNDON. The polygraph examiner. I don't believe the
degree of severity is a critical issue in regard to discussing control
questions.
Mr. KASS. I was just referring to your statement here, where you
said it must be of some lesser severity. If the subject lies on that
control question, or if you get a response on the control question, and
you don't get a response on the critical question, you are not going to
be determining this person to be guilty of the offense in question.
Mr. HERNDON. What we are concerned about is the threat to the
well-being of the individual being examined. The psychological
concept of the theory of the polygraph is that if the man is guilty, his
concern is being caught in the specific offense. The other question,
of lesser severity in his mind, should not emotionally disturb him as
much. On the other hand, if he is an innocent person, he knows he
did not commit the instant offiense, so the threat to his well-being
now is perhaps these other less serious or severe type questions, which
he will probably or possibly hedge on.
Mr. KASS. If this is an innocent person, couldn't the threat to his
well-being also be the fact that he is being subjected to an interview
by the FBI?
Mr. HERNDON. Very true.
Mr. KASS. C )Uldn't it also be very important, when you ask him
the so-called critical question, that you will get a response because he
is afraid he will be picked up?
Mr. HERNDON. That is one of the limitations of the polygraph.
Mr. KASS. How do you know whether the person is concerned ab )ut
~ itornot?
Mr. HERNDON. Because you interrogate him and ask him about
his responses to these questions.
Mr. KASS. What if he doesn't know?
Mr. HERNDON. Usually they will come up with an explanation.
Now you are discussing just one series here. We proceed with another
series of questions to help evaluate the preceding series. In other
words, we don't base the entire interpretation of the examination
solely on the control question or that one critical question in series 1
or series 2. We will run a number of series or a number of interviews
49-132--~5-pt. 5~--5
PAGENO="0034"
542 USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS `LIE DETECTORS"
On the polygraph, put them all together and then come up with the
best evaluation we can, and here again it is an informed opinion,
not an absolute judgment.
Mr. KAss. Let's take the entire polygraph examination that was
given to Jack Ruby. Would this be typical of an examination?
Forgetting the timespan, but considering the type of questions, the
series you ran, the order in which you put the questions, the procedure,
would this be typical if somebody wanted to find out how to run a
polygraph examination? Would you consider it a typical type of
examination?
Mr. HERNDON. I would definitely not consider this a typical type
of examination. In the latter part of my testimony before the
Warren Commission I set forth specific factors involved in that
interrogation which would be considered highly unusual in normal
standard polygraph procedures.
Mr. KASS. You asked certain questions of Mr. Ruby and you
explained them extensively in your deposition to the Warren Com-
mission. You said these were the control questions, and you placed
great reliance on those control questions. How do you know, for ~,,` ~
example, that the question "Did you ever make a false official state-
ment?" was of importance to Mr. Ruby? Or forget about Mr. Ruby,
to any individual? How do you know the question "Have you ever
hit anyone with any kind of a weapon?" would be of any significance
to the subject?
Mr. HERNDON. It would be significant in certain cases because of
the nature of the examinee's background, his particular position, or
why he was in custody.
Mr. KASS. Now what about the mere fact that he is in custody?
Wouldn't that bother him?
Mr. HEENDON. Of course. I mentioned that in my testimony, sir.
Mr. KASS. And what significance do you place on the fact that he
is in custody?
Mr. HERNDON. Normally the FBI will not render polygraph
examinations once a man is in custody. We normally would not
have conducted this examination under these circumstances.
Mr. KASS. Now take a regular type of polygraph examination.
You say you don't rely only on the control technique. What other
series do you run?
Mr. HERNDON. In modern polygraph work there are two or three
other techniques commonly used, such as guilt complex series tech-
nique, or peak of tension technique.
Mr. KASS. What is the guilt complex series?
Mr. HERNDON. That is where you use a guilt complex question
and thereafter evaluate it against the critical questions. The guilt
complex question is one wherein you want to determine a man's
reaction to a situation which is actually a fictitious crime. It is
usually somewhat related to the instant offense.
Mr. KASS. Isn't that quite similar to the control technique?
Mr. HERNDON. You could say it is possibly similar. I consider it a
different technique.
Mr. KAss. Now what is peak of tension?
Mr. HERNDON. Peak of tension is establishing a set of questions.
where one particular item or clue or specific fact would be extremely
pertinent only to the guilty party, and has not been openly disclosed
to the public or to other suspects.
PAGENO="0035"
TJSE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" 543
Mr. KASS. Do you tell the person in advance of the test the ques-
tions that you are going to ask on the peak of tension series?
Mr. IIERNDON. In normal practice by FBI polygraph examiners we
carefully go over each and every question prior to the actual polygraph
test.
Mr. KASS. Couldn't every single question be a peak of tension
test? The mere fact you use the words "Did you," and the person
doesn't know what the rest of the question is going to be, and yet he
thinks that is the critical question, you are going to get a response.
Mr. IIEENDON. That is possible.
Mr. KASS. Flow can you account for that, or how can you rule that
out?
Mr. HEENDON. He generally has been indoctrinated with the
examination, he knows these questions are coming up, and it doesn't
seem to interfere by saying "Did you," or whatever the start of the
question is. We have had no problem in that regard, Mr. Kass.
Mr. KASS. How do you know?
Mr. HERNDON. No one has indicated to us they didn't understand
..`~ the question or realize the intent of the question.
Mr. KASS. How many guilty people could you have let go just
because they got no response on the chart?
Mr. HERNDON. Here again if we were using this technique like a
serology examination or toxicology examination, where it was specifi-
cally going to be a vital part of whether or not the Federal Govern-
ment was going to prosecute a man, it would be a difficult question to
answer. But this is strictly an interview and I, as an examiner,
would, with the case agent, sit down and try to best determine whether
or not it appeared this man could be hedging on that question or have
a motivation with regard to the question. We are trying to ascertain
whether or not he has been telling the truth. Additional investigation
may determine his guilt or innocence.
Mr. KASS. What about a person who is in an interview situation?
You did state earlier this was used as an investigative technique to
give you more leads. What happens if the guilty person ~gets no
reaction because of the type of question you ask? Do you let him
go?
Mr. MOHR. Excuse me. You say a guilty person?
Mr. KASS. Perhaps he is the one who did the crime in question.
Mr. MOHR. If we didn't know, yes; we would let him go.
Mr. KASS. As a result of the polygraph examination, you would let
him go?
Mr. MOHR. As a result of the total overall interview we would let
him go, but we would continue our investigation.
Mr. KASS. At what stage in the interview does the polygraph
examination take place?
Mr. HERNDON. The polygraph examination generally takes place
during the middle part. In other words, you have the pretest inter-
view, where the case agent and the examiner openly discuss the case
with the suspect to see how much he knows, what he wants to volun-
teer, and what information he would like to tell the agents. If
desirable, we proceed with the polygraph technique. Then follows
the post interrogation technique, where the polygraph examiner and
the case agent discuss the answers with the suspect.
Mr. KASS. In other words, after any polygraph examination, you
still keep the person for further interview?
PAGENO="0036"
I
Mr. HERNDON. If we feel there is a need to discuss the answers,
time permits and there is no other problem with regard to the man's
other commitments.
Mr. KASS. But what happens if the agent doesn't feel there is a
need to keep the person?
Mr. HERNDON. He would be released, he would be free to leave.
In other words, the interview is over and we would let him go.
Mr. KASS. And the FBI would for all practical purposes drop the
interrogation of this individual then?
Mr. HERNDON. Not necessarily. Perhaps the case agent, would
look at it and say "Here is a facet we might cover," and he would
proceed on that.
Mr. KASS. It is possible the polygraph examination could throw
the FBI off the track though because as a result of no indication on
the chart they would drop the person?
Mr. MOHR. No ; that is not true. All it would meaii is we got no
leads or benefits from that interview. It does not mean we would
drop him as a suspect, depending on the circumstances. In other
words, this particular interview would be just one of a series of ~
interviews, or would be part of your total investigation, including
possible physical evidence you might have. But when you say "drop
him," the answer is "No."
Mr. HERNDON. We would not clear a man with the polygraph, no.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Mohr, why doesn't the FBI use the polygraph for
preemployment screening?
Mr. MOHR. We have found, Mr. Kass, as a result of our investiga-
tions of applicants that we get a good picture of them and we use that
solely as a means to determine whether they meet the standards for
employment in the FBI. We have never used the polygraph for
preemployment screening, and one of the reasons we wouldn't use
it is because it is not precise enough, it does not lend itself to precise
judgments.
Mr. KASS. But you do consider it a valuable tool for investigative
purposes?
Mr. MOHR. That is correct.
Mr. KASS. Why don't you use it in more cases?
Mr. MOHR. It doesn't lend itself to being useful in all types of
cases. There are certain areas where it is extremely helpful and in
other areas it is not particularly helpful.
Mr. KASS. How many recommendations to use the polygraph
examination were given in fiscal 1964? That is, recommendations to
use the polygraph which went to the Associate Director?
Mr. MOHR. And how many were rejected?
Mr. KASS. Yes.
Mr. MOHR. I would have to supply that for the record.
Mr. Moss. That will be fine.
(The information requested follows;)
During the fiscal year 1964 there were 858 requests by the field to use the
polygraph in selected cases and 265 or 31 percent were denied.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Conrad, getting back to the training program,
which we never finished, could you continue? Do you discuss the
legal aspects?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes; legal aspects are covered.
544
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
PAGENO="0037"
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USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
Mr. KASS. Who conducts such a course?
Mr. CONRAD. We have an individual who. is a specialist in those
matters.
Mr. KASS. IS he a lawyer?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes, sir.
Mr. KASS. And Mr. Herndon stated he conducts the course in
practical case exercises and actual participation. Do you use hypo-.
thetical situations to train a person on the polygraph?
Mr. CONRAD. Prior to their training in an actual case situation
the trainees will conduct several hypothetical or simulated cases.
We will simulate a theft in the laboratory, with our own personnel,
and give the students an opportunity to interrogate some of our
willing employees, to get the trainees acquainted with the procedure.
Mr. KASS. At what point in the training, in terms of time, will the
trainee start to conduct a polygraph test?
Mr. CONRAD. Near the completion of the second week, in the
presence of an experienced faculty member or supervisor.
Mr. KASS. So it ~S possible, and it is a fact that a polygraph
~ ~ operator, polygraph trainee, with just 2 or 3 weeks of training, will
be running polygraph examinations on potential suspects?
Mr. HER DON. That is correct.
Mr. KASS. Doesn't this hamper the investigation?
Mr. HERNDON. No. As a matter of fact it is interesting to note
that in some of our cases, and of course I am not free to discuss cases,
these examiners have broken cases in their first one or two attempts.
It doesn't hamper the investigation. These interviews are already
set up and scheduled, and then with the guidance of an experienced
supervisor or polygraph man, we give the new examiner an oppor-
tunity to conduct the interview. Here again these are not new inter-.
viewers, these men have been in the Bureau 10 years or more and
have conducted many interviews and investigations, but they are
are now using polygraph techniques.
Mr. Moss. Does the FBI train polygraph examiners for anyone
else?
Mr. MOHR. No, sir.
Mr. KAss. Is the subject of the polygraph examination informed
that the operator is a trainee?
Mr. HERNDON. No, sir ; we do not inform them of that. We just
introduce them as a special agent of the FBI.
Mr. KAss. Mr. Conrad, you have approximately a year of on-the-
job training?
Mr. CONRAD. Yes, sir.
Mr. KAss. Do most people qualify at. the end of the year? .
Mr. CONRAD. Yes; they all qualify. ~
Mr. KAss. Do you give them a test of any sort, to determine
whether they qualify?
Mr. CONRAD. No. They are under continuing supervision and
review so we have a very definite idea at the end of that time, and
normally well in advance of the end of the year, that their quahfica-
tions are going to be satisfactory.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Mohr, when Mr. Herndon was discussing the tech-
nique for giving a polygraph examination, he talked about the control
question-questions not relevant to the issue. at hand. Quite often
the person would have to go into a lot of information and tell the
545
PAGENO="0038"
546
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS'
operator a lot of information not pertinent to the case at hand. Isn't
this possibly an invasion of the person's privacy?
Mr. MOHR. I don't know what you mean by a lot of information
that the person will give. First of all, you must remember he has
volunteered to take this test and to be interviewed. He is there
because he wants to be interviewed. He is a cooperative interviewee,
and any information that he may offer, if it is not relevant to the
particular situation, the case agent would not even record it, or make
a record of it.
Mr. KASS. What if a person admits to other crimes so as to clear
himself on the machine?
Mr. MOHR. If he admits to other Federal crimes, we would present
those to the U.S. attorney for his opinion as to prosecution. If he
admits to a local crime, we would submit it to the local authorities
fcr their consideration, advising them it was obtained from this mdi-
vidual during the interview with him. When he signs the waiver,
and he is told of his rights, he is also told if he makes any statements
they may be used against him in court.
Mr. KASS. But take the actual polygraph situation where the per-
son is confronted with the examiner's statement that it appears that
you are deceiving, or something is bothering you on this question,
what is it, so we can clear it up. Isn't the person more or less required
to clear himself there?
Mr. MOHR. No ; there is no more compulsion to answer that than
any other question that you might put to him. He might not elect
to try to clarify why this reaction appeared on the machine.
Mr. KAss. But the operator is saying "Mr. So and So, it appears
that you are deceiving, something is bothering you. Why don't
you tell me and clear it up?"
Mr. MOHR. That is right. Most of them will tell you and they
have at least what appears to be a logical reason to them.
Mr. KASS. What happens if the person doesn't clear it up, doesn't
talk about it, and refuses to talk about it?
Mr. MOHR. I would say in that case you were interviewing some-
body who was not being cooperative, like any other interview.
Mr. KASS. At that point would you continue the examination,
Mr. Herndon?
Mr. HERNDON. Yes; I would keep interviewing the man. I
would perhaps try to sympathize with him, because maybe he is
concerned about some skeletons in his family closet. The thing we
have to remember is that this is basically an interview and it is our
job to try to get these people to tell the truth. If something is
troubling them, if it is pertinent to the offense, it is our job to get
them to tell us. But if the skeletons have nothing to do with the
offense, I indicate to them that they don't have to tell me a thing
about it, that is their privilege.
Mr. KASS. Mr. Conrad, is memory important in the lie detector
technique?
Mr. CONRAD. On the part of the operator?
Mr. K~ss. On the part of the subject.
Mr. CONRAD. I would say certainly it is. We are asking him to
recall something.
Mr. KASS. How do you know he is recalling that something?
PAGENO="0039"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DET
ECTORS"
547
Mr. CONRAD. We don't. We are faced with an individual, we are
interviewing him. It has to be handled on an individual basis.
And from some of them we get information and from some of them
we do not. But in all cases it is a voluntary cooperative effort on
his part, if we do get anything.
Mr. KAss. Is it possible that he is recalling things or that his
physiological responses are recalling things he is not even aware of?
Mr. CONRAD. That is remotely possible.
Mr. KASS. if, for example, you asked him the question "Do you
drink coffee," and he said "Yes," but because his parents had vio-
lently prohibited him from drinking coffee, he was getting a response.
How do you know what response the person is giving, whether it
is the so-called voluntary response or the so-called unconscious
response?
Mr. CONRAD. I don't think we have any way of knowing which
it is. All we have is a response from an individual.
Mr. KASS. And you keep trying to explore it then with him until
he gives you a satisfactory answer?
Mr. CONRAD. Right. We give him a chance to explain it.
Mr. Moss. Well, gentlemen, I again want to express my apprecia-
tion for your appearance here and your cooperation. We have
covered all the points originally planned for the two mornings, and
it will not be necessary for you to return tomorrow morning. The
committee will stand adjourned until the call of the Chair.
(Thereupon, at 12 noon the hearing was adjourned.)
PAGENO="0040"
PAGENO="0041"
APPENDIXES
(Exhibits 1 through 34 appear in parts 1-4 of these hearings)
EXHIBITS 35A-35J-STATE STATUTES AND CODES RELATING TO POLYGRAPHS
AND OTHER LIE DETECTION DEVICES
EXHIBIT 35A-ALASKA-LAWS OF ALASKA, 1964
CHAPTER 36
AN ACT Relating to examinations in which polygraphs or other lie-detector devices are used
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Alaska:
SECTION 1. AS 23.10 is amended by adding a new section to article 1 to read:
SEC. 23.10.037. Lie-Detector Tests. (a) No person either personally or through
an agent or representative may request or suggest to a person in his employ or
to a person who has an application for employment pending before him or re-
quire as a condition of employment that the employee or app]icant submit to an
examination in which a polygraph or other lie-detecting device is used.
(b) The provisions of (a) of this section do not apply to the state or a political
subdivision of the state when dealing with policemen in its employ or with per-
sons applying to be employed as policeman.
(c) In this section "person" includes the state and a political subdivision of
the state.
(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon
conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment
for not more than one year, or by both.
Law without signature April 2, 1964.
EXHIBIT 35B-CALIFORNIA
Chapter 1881 of &atutes and Amendments to the Codes, California, 1963, page
3866, reads as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 432.2 is added to the Labor Code, to read:
"432.2 No employer shall demand or require any applicant for employment or
propective employment or any employee to submit to or take a polygraph, lie
detector or similar test or examination as a condition of employment or con-
tinued employment. The prohibition of this section does not apply to the federal
government or any agency thereof or the state government or any agency or local
subdivision thereof, including, but not limited to, counties, cities, cities and
counties, cities, district, authorities, and agencies."
EXHIBIT 35C-ILLIN0I5
(SMITH-IIURD, ILLINoIS STATUTES, ANNOTATED, TITLE 38, SEc. 951 ET SEQ.)
AN ACT To provide for licensing and regulating detection of deception examiners, and to make an appro~
priation in connection therewith
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented `in the General
Assembly:
SECTION 1. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires: "Detec-
tion of Deception Examiner," hereinafter referred to as "Examiner" means any
person who uses any device or instrument to test or question individuals for the
purpose of detecting deception.
"Internship" means the study of detection of deception and the administration
of detection of deception examinations by a trainee under the personal supervision
549
PAGENO="0042"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
and control of an examiner in accordance with a course of study as prescribed
by the Department at the commencement of such Internship.
"Person" includes any natural person, partnership, association, corporation or
trust.
"Department" means the Department of Registration and Education of the
State of Illinois.
"Director" means the Director of the Department of Registration and Educa-
tion of the State of Illinois.
"Committee" means the Detection of Deception Examiner Committee provided
for in this Act.
"Him" means both the male and female gender.
SEC. 2. The practice of the detection of deception in the State of Illinois is
declared to affect the public health, safety and welfare and is subject to regulation
and control in the public interest.
SEC. 3. Every examiner shall use an instrument which records permanently
and simultaneously the subject's cardiovascular and respiratory patterns as
minimum standards, but such an instrument may record additional psychological
changes pertinent to the detection of deception. An examiner shall, upon written
request of a person examined, make known the results of such test to the person
examined within 5 days of receipt of the written request.
SEC. 4. It is unlawful for any person to administer detection of deception
examinations, or attempt to hold himself out as an Examiner, without a license
issued by the Department, except insofar as qualified by sections 5 and 12 of this
Act. Provided, however, That this shall not prohibit the use of detection of
deception equipment by a person licensed to practice medicine in all its branches
under the Medical Practice Act of Illinois when the results are to be used in
research.
SEC. 5. Any person may administer detection of deception examinations in this
State without license for not to exceed twenty days during any calendar year.
Provided, however, that any time prior to administering said examinations, such
person shall pay a registration fee and file with the Department a sworn affi-
davit that said person-
(a) is a citizen of the United States; and
(b) is at least 21 years of age; and
(c) has administered detection of deception examinations for a period of
at least two years using the instrumentation prescribed in section 3 of this
Act; and
(d) has not been convicted of a misdemeanor invlving moral turpitude
or a felony, or who has not been released of discharged under other than
honorable conditions from any of the armed services of the United States.
The registrant under this section is subject to all the provisions of this Act
relating to examiners except sections 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 26, and 30, and the
Director shall deny, rescind, or revoke the registration of any person who at any
time violoated said provisions of this Act. The registration fee is nonrefundable.
SEC. 6. On the effective date of this Act, any person who has actually engaged
in the occupation, business, or profession of an examiner before April 1, 1963,
~tnd who has used for that period the instrumentation prescribed in section 3,
shall, upon application within one year after the effective date of this Act and
payment of the required licenes fee, be issued a license hereunder, without cx-
amination, provided, however, that the Director may require such applicant to
submit satisfactory proof that he has so engaged for such period.
SEC. 7. None of the powers, duties, or functions of the Department or the
Director thereof under this Act shall be exercised except under the action and
written report of the Detection of Deception Examiner Committee. Such corn-
rnittee shall be composed of five individuals appointed by the Director. The
members of the committee shall have been engaged continuously in the State of
Illinois for a period of at least five years as examiners. Three members must
be actively engaged in the private, or commercial, practice of detection of decep-
tion and two members must be primarily engaged in the detection of deception
for the State of Illinois or a county or municipality within the State of Illinois.
Each member shall serve for a term of five years.
The action or report in writing of a majority of the committee shall be suffi-
cient authority upon which the Director of Registration and Education may act.
In designating the persons to act, the Director of Registration and Education
shall give due consideration to recommendations by members of the profession
and by organizations therein. Whenever the Director is satisfied that substan-
I
550
I
I
PAGENO="0043"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" 551
tial justice has not been done in an examination, he may order a reexamination
by the same or other examiners.
SEC. 8. Applications for original licenses shall be made to the Department in
writing on forms prescribed by the Department and shall be accompanied by the
required fee, which shall not be returnable. Any such application shall require
such information as in the judgment of the Department will enable the Depart-
ment to pass on the qualifications of the applicant for a license.
SEC. 9. The license of an examiner which has not been revoked or is not
suspended shall be renewed annually upon payment of the required fee by the
examiner.
SEC. 10. Each nonresident applicant for an original license or a renewal
license, shall file an irrevocable consent that actions against the applicant may
be filed in any appropriate court of any county or municipality of this State
in which the plaintiff resides or in which some part of the transaction occurred
out of which the alleged cause of action arose and that process in any action
may be served on the applicant by leaving two copies thereof with the Director
of the Department. Such consent shall stipulate and agree that such service
of process shall be taken and held to be valid and binding for all purposes. The
Director shall send forthwith one copy of the process to the applicant at the
address shown on the records of the Department by registered or certified mail.
SEC. 11. A person is qualified to receive a license as an examiner:
A. Who is at least 21 years of age; and
B. Who is a citizen of the United States: and
C. Who establishes that he is a person of honesty, truthfulness, integrity and
moral fitness; and
D. Who has not been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
or a felony, or who has not been released or discharged under other than honorable
conditions from any of the armed services of the United States ; and
E. Who has passed an examination conducted by the Examiner Committee,
or under its supervision, to determine his competency to obtain a license to
practice as an examiner; and
F. Who has had conferred upon him an academic degree, at least at the bac-
calaureate level, from a college or university accredited by the Department; and
G. Who has satisfactorily completed not less than six months of internship
training.
SEC. 12. The Department shall issue an internship license to a trainee upon
application and payment of the required fee which application shall contain
such information as may be reasonably required by the Department.
An internship license shall be valid for the term of twelve months from the
date of issue. The Department may renew or extend any internship license
upon good cause shown for any term not to exceed twelve months.
SEC. 13. Each license shall be issued for the term of one calendar year or
for such part thereof as remains at the time of the issuance thereof. Each license
shall be renewed during the month of November of each year. Each license not
renewed during November of each year shall expire on December 1, of that year.
An examiner whose license has expired may be reinstated at any time within five
years after the expiration thereof, by making a renewal application therefor and
by paying the renewal license fee and all lapsed renewal fees for each year since
the expiration of his license. However, any examiner whose license expired while
he was (1) in Federal service on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United
States, or the State militia called into service or training, or (2) in training or
education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction
into the military service, may have his license renewed, reinstated or restored
without paying any lapsed renewal fees if within two years after honorable
termination of such service, training or education except under conditions other
than honorable, he furnishes the Department with satisfactory evidence to the
effect that he has been so engaged and that his service, training or education has
been so terminated.
A license or duplicate license must be prominently displayed at the principal
place of business of every examiner. Each license shall be signed by the Director
and shall be issued under the seal of the Department.
Notice in writing shall be given to the Department by such license holder of
any change of principal business location whereupon, the Department shall
issue a new license for the unexpired period upon payment of the required fee.
A change of business location without notification to the Department and
without the issuance by it of a new license shall automatically suspend the license
theretofore issued.
PAGENO="0044"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
SEC. 14. The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend or revoke a
license for any one of the following grounds:
A. Material misstatement in the application for original license or in the
application for any renewal license under this Act.
B. Wilful disregard or violation of this Act or of any regulation or rule issued
pursuant thereto.
C. Conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.
D. Making any wilful misrepresentation or false promises or causing to be
printed any false or misleading advertisement for the purpose of directly or
indirectly obtaining business or trainees.
E. Having demonstrated incompetency to act as an examiner as defined
under this Act.
F. Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in
violation of the provisions of this Act.
G. Wilfully aiding or abetting another in the violation of this Act or of any
rule issued by the Department pursuant thereto.
H. Where the license holder has been adjudged mentally ill, mentally de-
ficient or in need of mental treatment as provided in the Mental Health Code.
I. Failing, within a reasonable time, to provide information requested by the
Department as the result of a formal or informal complaint to the Dep~trtment,
which would indicate a violation of this Act.
SEC. 15. Any unlawful act or violation of any of the provisions of this Act
upon the part of any examiner or trainee, shall not be cause for revocation of
the license of any other examiner for whom the offending examiner may have
been employed, unless it shall appear that the examiner has wilfully aided or
abetted the actions or activities of the offending examiner or trainee.
SEC. 16. The Department shall prepare annually a list of the names and
addresses of all examiners and trainees and of all persons whose licenses have
been suspended or revoked within the previous year, which list shall be mailed
to the county clerk of each county of the State and be held by such county clerk
as a public record.
SEC. 17. The Department may upon its own motion and shall upon the
verified complaint in writing of any person setting forth facts which if proved
would constitute grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of a license under
this Act, investigate the actions of any applicant or any person or persons hold-
ing or claiming to hold a license. The Department shall, before refusing to issue
and before suspension of revocation of a license, at least ten days prior to the
date set for the hearing, notify in writing the applicant for, or holder of a license,
of the nature of the charges and that a hearing will be held on the date desig-
nated. The hearing shall determine whether the applicant or holder, hereinafter
called the respondent is privileged to hold such license, and shall afford the re-
spondent an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel in reference thereto.
Such written notice may be served by delivery of the same personally to the
respondent at the address of his last notification to the Department. At the
time and place fixed in the notice, the Committee shall proceed to hear the
charges and both the respondent and complainant shall be accorded ample
opportunity to present in person or by counsel such statements, testimony, cvi-
dence and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to the defense thereto.
The Committee may continue such hearing from time to time. If the Committee
shall not be sitting at the time and place fixed in the notice or at the
time and place to which the hearing shall have been continued, the Director shall
continue such hearing for a period not to exceed thirty days, unless extended by
stipulation of both parties.
SEC. 18. The Department, at its expense, shall provide a stenographer to
take down the testimony and preserve a record of all proceedings at the hearing
of any case involving the refusal to issue or the suspension or revocation of a
license. The notice of hearing, complaint and all other documents in the nature
of pleadings and written motions filed in the proceedings, the transcript of
testimony, the report of the Committee and orders of the Department shall be
the records of such proceedings. The Department shall furnish a transcript of
such record to any person or persons interested in such hearing upon the payment
therefor of 75 cents per page for each original transcript and 5 cents per page
for each carbon copy thereof ordered with the original; provided that the charge
for any part of such transcript ordered and paid for previous to the writing of
the original record thereof shall be 25 cents per page.
In any case involving the refusal to issue or the suspension or revocation of
a license, a copy of the Committee's report shall be served upon the respondent
552
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by the Department, either personally or by registered or certified mail as pro-
vided in this Act for the service of the notice of hearing. Within twenty days
after such service, the respondent may present to the Department a motion in
writing for a rehearing, which written motion shall specify the particular grounds
therefor. If no motion for rehearing is filed, then upon the expiration of the
time specified for filing such a motion, or if a motion for rehearing is denied, then
upon such denial the Director may enter an order in accordance with recommen-
dations of the Committee. If the respondent shall order and pay for a transcript
of the record within the time for filing a motion for rehearing, the twenty day
period within which such a motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery
of the transcript to the respondent.
SEC. 19. Any circuit or superior court or any judge thereof, either in term
time or vacation, may, upon application of the Director or of the applicant or
`~ licensee against whom proceedings upon section 17 of this Act are pending,
enter an order requiring the attendance of witnesses and their testimony, and
the production of documents, papers, files, books, and records in connection with
any hearing in any proceedings under that section. The court or judge may
compel obedience to its or his order by proceedings for contempt.
SEC. 20. Any person affected by a final administrative decision of the Depart-
ment may have such decision reviewed judicially by the circuit or superior court
of the county wherein such person resides. If the plaintiff in the review pro-
ceeding is not a resident of this State, the venue shall be in Sangamon County.
The provisions of the "Administrative Review Act", approved May 8, 1945, and
all amendments and modifications thereof, and the rules adopted pursuant there-
to, shall apply to and govern all proceedings for the judicial review of final ad-
ministrative decisions of the Department hereunder. The term "administrative
decision" is defined as in Section 1 of said "Administrative Review Act".
The Department shall not be required to certify the record of the proceeding
unless the plaintiff in the review proceedings shall first pay to the Department
the sum of 75~ per page of suTch record. Exhibits shall be certified without cost.
SEC. 21. Upon the revocation or suspension of any license, the licensee shall
forthwith surrender the license or licenses to the Department and if the licensee
fails to do so, the Department shall have the right to seize the same.
SEC. 22. The Director, on the recommendation of the Committee, may issue
regulations, consistent with the provisions of this Act, for the administration and
enforcement thereof and may prescribe forms which shall be issued in connec-
tion therewith.
SEC. 23. No action or counterclaim shall be maintained by any person in any
court in this State with respect to any agreement or services for which a license
is required by this Act or to recover the agreed price or any compensation under
any such agreement, or for such services for which a license is required by this
Act without alleging and providing that such person had a valid license at the
time of making such agreement or doing such work.
SEC. 24. If any person violates the provision of this Act, the Director may, in
the name of the people of the State of Illinois, through the Attorney General of
the State of Illinois, apply, in any court of competent jurisdiction, for an order
enjoining such violation or for an order enforcing compliance with this Act.
Upon the filing of a verified petition in such court, the court or any judge thereof,
if satisfied by affidavit or otherwise that such person has violated this Act, may
issue a temporary injunction, without notice or bond, enjoining such continued
violation, and if it is established that such person has violated or is violating
this Act, the court, or any judge thereof, may summarily try and punish the
offender for contempt of court. Proceedings under this section shall be in addi-
tion to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided by this Act.
SEC. 25. An order or a certified copy thereof, over the seal of the Department
and purporting to be signed by the Director, shall be prima facie proof thereof:
(a) That such signature is the genuine signature of the Director;
(b) That such Director is duly appointed and qualified;
(c) That the Committee and the members thereof are qualified to act.
SEC. 26. The fee to be paid by an applicant for an examination to determine his
fitness to receive an examiner's license is $50.
The fee to be paid for an examiner's renewal license is $25.
The fee to be paid for an internship license is $10.
The fee to be paid for a renewal internship license is $5.
The fee to be paid by an unlicensed examiner to be registered under the pro-
visions of section 5 is $5.
553
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The fee to be paid for the issuance of a duplicate license or a license indicating
a change of address is $5.
The fee to be paid for the reinstatement of an examiner's license within five
years of the lapse thereof shall be $5 and all of the lapsed renewal fees.
The fee to be paid for the restoration of a license which lapsed more than five
years preceding the application for restoration shall be $50.
This section in regard to fees shall not apply to any examiner in the exclusive
employment of the United States of America, the State of Illinois, any county,
municipality, or political subdivision in this State, any department, bureau or
agency of any of the foregoing, or any examiner thereof in the pursuit of his
official duties.
SEC. 27. Should any one or more provisions of this Act be held invalid, such
invalidity shall in no manner affect any of the other provisions hereof.
Sxc. 28. Any person who violates any provision of this Act or any person
who falsely states or represents that he has been or is an examiner or trainee
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished
by a fine of not less than $25, nor more than $500 or imprisonment in the county
jail for a term of not to exceed six months, or both. All fines under this Act
shall inure and be paid to the county in which the prosecution is maintained.
Sxc. 29. At any time after the suspension or revocation of any license, the
Department may restore it to the accused person, upon the written recommenda-
tion of the Committee.
SEC. 30. An applicant who is an examiner, licensed under the laws of another
State or territory of the United States, may be issued a license' without examina-
tion by the Department, in its discretion, upon payment of a fee of $50, and
the production of satisfactory proof:
(a) That the applicant is at least 21 years of age; and
(b) That the applicant is a citizen of the United States ; and
(c) That he is of good moral character; and
(d) That the requirements for the licensing of examiners in such particular
State or territory of the United States were at the date of licensing, substan-
tially equivalent to the requirements then in force in this State; and
(e) That the applicant had lawfully engaged in the administration of poly-
graph examinations under the laws of such State or territory for at least two
years prior to his application for license hereunder; and
(f) That such other State or territory grants similar reciprocity to license
holders of this State.
SEc. 31. Appropriation.
EXHIBIT 35D-ILLIN0IS
SMITH-HUED STATUTES
TITLE 38
§ 736.2 Lie detector tests-Restrictions on court
In the course of any criminal trial the court shall not require, request or suggest
that the defendant submit to a polygraphic detection deception test, commonly
known as a lie detector test to questioning under the effect of thiopental sodium
or to any other test or questioning by means of any mechanical device or chemical
substance.
TITLE 110
§ 54.1 (Civil Practice Act, § 54. 1) . Lie detector tests-Limitations
Imthe course of any civil trial or pre-trial proceeding the court shall not require
that the plaintiff or defendant submit to a polygraphic detection deception test,
commonly known as a lie detector test or require, suggest or request that the
plaintiff or defendant submit to questioning under the effect of thiopental sodium
or to any other test or questioning by means of any chemical substance.
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USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" 555
EXHIBIT 35E-KENTTJCKY
SESSION LAWS OF KENTUCKY, 1963
CHAPTER 78
(S.B. 63)
AN ACT Relating to "Detection of Deception Examiners," for licensing and regulating same
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
SECTION 1. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Detection of Deception Examiner," hereinafter referred to as "Examiner,"
means any person, other than on a trainee, who uses any device or instrument
to test or question individuals for the purpose of detecting deception.
( 2) "Trainee" means any person who administers detection of deception
examinations under the personal supervision and control of an examiner.
(3) "Person" means any natural person, partnership, association, corporation
or trust.
(4) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety of the Common-
wealth of Kentucky.
(5) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Public
Safety of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
SEC. 2. Every examiner shall use an instrument which records permanently
and simultaneously the subject's cardiovascular and respiratory patterns as
minimum standards, but such an instrument may record additional physiological
changes pertinent to the detection of deception.
SEC. 3. (1) No person shall administer a detection of deception examination.
as set forth in Section 1 of this Act, or any imitation thereof, without first
securing a trainee's license or an examiner's license. Each application for a
trainee's license shall be made to the department within ten days of the com-.
mencement of the trainee's internship, and said application shall contain such
information as may be reasonably required by the department The department
shall issue the trainee license free of charge. Each application for an examiner's
license shall be made to the department in writing on forms provided by the
department and shall contain such information as is required by the department
to determine the eligibility of the applicant. Each application for an examiner's
license shall be accompanied by a fee of twenty dollars, which is nonrefundable.
(2) Each applicant for an examiner's license shall submit his fingerprints to
the department together with a sworn affidavit that said applicant:
(a) Is a citizen of the United States;
(b) Is at least twenty-one years of age;
(c) Has administered detection of deception examinations for a period of at
least two years using the instrumentation prescribed in Section 2 of this Act;
(d) Has completed a course of formal training in detection of deception in an
institution accepted by the department; and
(e) Has not been convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a
felony, or who has not been released or discharged under other than honorable
conditions from any of the Armed Services of the United States, or any branch
of the state, city or federal government.
(3) Upon receipt of an application for a trainee's license or for an examiner's
license, the commissioner shall investigate each application, and no license will
be issued until said investigation. is complete.
SEC. 4. On the effective date of this Act, any person who has actually engaged
in the occupation, business or profession of an examiner for a period of five years,
and who has used for that period the instrumentation prescribed in Section 2 of
this Act, shall, upon application within one year after the effective date of this
Act and upon payment of the required license fee, be issued a license hereunder,
without completion of formal training in an institution; provided, however, that
the commissioner may require such applicant to submit satisfactory proof that
he has so engaged for such period and has the other qualifications of an examiner
as are set forth in this Act.
SEC. 5. (1) Each examiner's license shall be issued for the term of one calen-
dar year or for such part thereof as remains at the time of the issuance thereof.
Each examiner's license shall be renewed during the month of December of each
year, and each examiner's not so renewed shall expire on December 31, of that
year. A renewal fee of fifteen dollars shall accompany each renewal applica-
tion for the examiner's license.
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USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
n five years
ii
he furnish(
and that I
missioner sh~
during the ex
(3) Each ~
The de~ ient n
~ ~~LflOtt
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e is five
he has
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ivestigate each applicant
of eighteen months.
)Ofl good cause shown
served o
ner of the `~
of prc
ci mail at
`~ may deny, suspend or revoke any license on any one
~iient in the application for a license or in the application
~gard or violation of this Act or of any regulation or rule issued
~ed guilty of the commission
[ses or causing to be
~irpose of directly or
ct as an examiner
the interests of
Act to be used by an unlicensed person
r in the violation of this Act or of any
rhasu
aent as providec
time, to pi
~r activitic~ of the offen~ g examiner or
~rtment shall publish, at least annually, a list of the names
examiners and trainees and of all persons whose licenses
I
ii~ig the ren
shall be i
11 automal
ddent applica]
`~`~ani
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USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
have been suspended or revoked within that one year, together with such other
information relative to the enforcement of the provisions of this Act as it may
deem of interest to the public in the profession. One such list shall be mailed
to the County Clerk of each county of the Commonwealth and shall be held by
such County Clerk as a public record. Such list shall also be mailed by the
department to any person ii~ the Commonwealth upon request.
SEC. 11. The department may upon its own motion and shall upon the verified
complaint in writing of any person setting forth facts which if proved would
constitute grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license under this
Act, investigate the actions of any applicant or any person holding or claiming to
hold a licensa. The department shall, before denial, suspension, or revocation
of a license, at least ten days prior to i~he date set for the hearing, notify in
writing the applicant or holder of a license of the nature of the charges and that
a hearing will be held on the date designated. The hearings shall determine
whether the applicant or holder, hereinafter cal~ed the respondent, is privileged
to hold such license, and shall afford the respondent an opportunity to be heard
in person or by counsel in reference thereto. Such written notice may be served
by personal delivery to the respondent or by mailing the same by registered or
certified mail with return receipt requested to the place of business last specified
by the respondent on the records of the department. At the time and place
fixed in the notice, the commissioner shall proceed to hear the charges, and
both the respondent and complainant shall be accorded ample opportunity to
present in person or by counsel such statements, testimony, evidence and argu-
ment as may be pertinent to the charges or to the defense thereto. The commis-
sioner may continue such hearing from time to time. If the commissioner shall
not be sitting at the time and place fixed in the notice or at the time and place
to which the hearing shall have been continued, the commissioner shall continue
such hearing for a period not to exceed thirty days.
SEC. 12. (1) The department, at its expense, shall provide a stenographer to
take down the testimony and preserve~a record of all proceedings at the hearing
of any easEl involving the denial, suspension or revocation of a license. The
notice of hearing, complaint, and all other documents in the nature of pleadings
and written motions filed in the proceedings, the transcript of testimony, the
report of the commissioner and orders of the department shall be the records
of such proceedings. The department shall furnish a transcript of such record
to any person interested in such hearing upon payment therefor of seventy-
five cents per page for each original transcript and twenty-five cents per page
for each carbon copy thereof ordered with the original : provided, however, the
charge for any part of such transcript ordered and paid for previous to the writing
of the original record thereof shall be twenty-five cents per page.
(2) In any case involving the denial, suspension or revocation of a license, a
copy of the commissioner's report shall be served upon the respondent by the
department, either personally or by registered or certified mail as provided in
this Act for the service of the notice of hearing. Within twenty days after such
service, the respondent may present to the department a motion in writing for
a rehearing, which written motion shall specify the particular grounds therefor.
If no motion for rehearing is filed then upon the expiration of the time specified
for filing such a motion, or if a motion for rehearing is denied, then upon such
denial the commissioner may enter an order in accordance with recommendations
of the department. If the respondent shall order and pay for a transcript of the
record within the time for filing a motion for rehearing, the twenty-day period
within which such a motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery of
the transcript to the respondent.
SEC. 13. Any circuit court, either in term time or vacation, may, upon applica-
tion of the commissioner or of the applicant or licensee against whom proceedings
upon Section 11 of this Act are pending, enter an order requiring the attendance
of witnesses and their testimony, and the production of documents, papers, files,
books and records in connection with any hearing in any proceedings under that
Section.
SEC. 14. Any person affected by a final administrative decision of the depart-
ment may have such decision reviewed judicially by the Circuit Court of Franklin
County.
SEc. 15. Upon the revocation or suspension of any license, the licensee shall
forthwith surrender the license to the department, and if the licensee fails to do
so, the department shall have the right to seize the same.
SEC. 16. If any person violates the provisions of this Act, the commissioner
shall, in the name of the People of the Commonwealth of ICentucky, through
557
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EXHIBIT 35F-MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL LAWS ANNOTATED, 149
GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO EMPLOYMENT
§ 19B. Lie detector tests; use as condition of employment; penalty
No employer shall require or subject any employee to any lie detector tests as a
condition of employment or continued employment. Any person violating this
section shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars. Added
St. 1959, c. 255.
Approved April 28, 1959.
EXHIBIT 35G-NEw MEXICO
SESSION LAWS OF NEW MEXICO, 1963
Regular Session
CHAPTER. 225, LAWS 1963
House Bill No. 341
AN ACT Relating to the Practice of Polygraphy; Providing for a licensing board; and establishing pro-
cedure for registration, qualification, and licensure
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of New Mexico:
SECTION 1. "Polygraphy" and "Practice of Polygraphy" defined. As used
in this act:
A. "Polygraphy" means the recording of tracings of several different pulsations
in the human body simultaneously for the purpose of determining veracity ; and
B. "Practice of polygraphy" means the employment of any instrument de-
signed to record simultaneously the physiological changes in human respiration,
cardiovascular activity and galvanic skin resistance, or reflex, to determine
veracity and to detect deception or the reading and interpretation of polygraph
records and results.
SEC. 2. License to Practice Polygraphy. It is unlawful for any person to prac-
tice polygraphy, offer his services in the capacity of a polygrapher or purport to
be a polygrapher without a license issued by the state board of examiners in
polygraphy.
SEC. 3. Board of Examiners in Polygraphy. There is created a board of ex-
aminers in polygraphy to be comprised of three members to be appointed by the
Governor for terms of three years: Provided, however, of the first board appointed,
one member shall have a term of one year, one member shall have a term of two
years and one member shall have a term of three years. Any~ appointment
to fill a board vacancy shall be for the' unexpired term. Board members shall b~
558
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, apply, in any court
of competent jurisdiction, for an order enjoining such violation or for an order
enforcing compliance with this Act. Proceedings under this section shall be in
addition to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided by this
Act.
. SEC. 17. An order or a certified copy thereof, over the seal of the department
and purporting to be signed by the commissioner, shall be prima fade proof
thereof;
(1) That such signature is the genuine signature of the commissioner;
(2) That such commissioner is duly appointed and qualified; and
(3) That the commissioner and department thereof are qualified,to act.
SEC. 18. Section 3(1), Section 5(1), and Section 6(1) of this Act, relating to
fees charged applicants for a license, shall not apply to any department of the
United States or any agency of the city, county or state of the Commonwealth
of Kentucky provided that no fee is charged for administration of the test.
SEC. 19. Should any one or n'iore provisions of this Act be held invalid, such
invalidity shall in no manner affect any of the other provisions hereof.
SEC. 20. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, for
each violation, be fined not less than twenty dollars nor more than five hundred
dollars.
Approved March 9, 1962.
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qualified electors of New Mexico ; one member shall be a licensed doctor of med-
icine ; and two members shall be polygraphers actively engaged in the practice
in New Mexico. The board shall meet annually in Santa Fe, upon a date to
be set by resolution of the board, for the purpose of transacting business. The
board members shall receive per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem
and Mileage Act, and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allow-
ance~
SEC. 4. Board Organization. Appointment of Registrar. Within sixty days of
their appointment the board members shall meet and organize, designating one
member president and one member registrar. The registrar of the board shall
be ex-officio secretary-treasurer of the board and may receive payment, for service
and remuneration for expenses in carrying out his necessary duties, in an amount
to be determined by the board.
SEC. 5. Duties of Registrar-Records. The registrar of the board shall keep a
registration book in which shall be entered the name of each licensee, date of
license issue, address of licensee, record of fee payments and any other informa-
tion concerning licensed polygraphers deemed necessary or desirable by the
board. The registrar shall maintain a minute book recording all transactions of
the board and shall keep financial records of disbursements and receipts in manner
prescribed by the director of the department of finance and administration.
records of the board shall be maintained in Santa Fe.
SEC. 6. Applications for Registration and License. Persons seeking registration
and licensing as a polygrapher shall make written application to the board of
examiners in polygraphy, upon forms supplied by the registrar of the board.
Application forms shall be designed and prescribed by the board to elicit all
information necessary to determine whether an applicant is qualified to be exam-
med as a polygrapher.
SEC. 7. Fees-Renewals-Suspension and Revocation. Each application for
registration and license shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars
($100) payable to the state board of examiners in polygraphy. This initial fee
is not refundable and shall cover the costs of processing the application; and it
shall include, for successful candidates, the annual license fee for the year fol-
lowing registration and licensing. On or before July 1 of each year, every regis-
~ tered and licensed polygrapher shall transmit to the registrar a renewal fee of
fifty dollars ($50.00) accompanied by the person's name, address, and registration
number, and he shall receive therefor a renewal license certificate. A license
granted by the board shall be automatically suspended if the holder fails to apply
for renewal within a period of three months after July 1 of each year. Any sus-
pended license may be restored by the board upon payment of a fee of fifty
dollars ($50.00) in addition to the unpaid renewal fee. Failure to renew a license
within one year from the date of suspension shall cause the license to be auto-
matically revoked.
SEC.8. Qualifications for Licensing and Registration. To be eligible and qual-
ified for registration and licensing as a polygrapher, a person shall:
A. have attained the age of twenty-five years;
B. be a citizen of the United States;
C. be a graduate of a high school or have completed an equivalent course of
study, as determined by an examination conducted by the state board of education;
D. be of good moral character; and
E. successfully pass examination by the state board of examiners in poiy-
graphy.
SEC. 9. Examinations. The state board of examiners in polygraphy shall,
by examination, or by such other means as it shall deem advisable, determine
whether each applicant for registration and license possesses the necessary
knowledge and skill required to practice polygraphy in New Mexico.
SEC. 10. Refusal to License-Suspension and Revocation. The state board
of examiners in polygraphy may refuse to issue a license or, if a license has been
issued, may suspend or revoke the license of any person found, by the board:
A. to have been coi~victed of a crime involving moral turpitude;
B. to have made false representations to the board for the purpose of
securing registration and license;
0. to be chronically or persistently inebriate or addicted to drugs; *
D. to have been adjudged incompetent or insane;
E. to have been guilty of unprofessional conduct; or
F. to be incompetent.
~ SEc. 11. Unprofessional Conduct. Unprofessional conduct consists of those
acts, determined by the state board of examiners in polygraphy, to be inconsistent
559
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USE OF POLYGRAPI~S AS "LIE DETECTORS"
with the public welfare, and shall include conduct tending to deceive or defraud,
obtaining fees by misrepresentation, charging unusual, unreasonable or exorbitant
fees, fee "splitting," and spurious advertising.
SEC. 12. Deposit and Use of Funds. All funds received by the registrar are
to be deposited with the state treasurer to be credited to the "state board of
examiners in polygraphy fund." The funds shall be used solely for the adminis-
tration of registration and licensing procedures conducted by the state board of
examiners in polygraphy.
SEC. 13. The state board of examiners in polygraphy is empowered to pro-
mulgate rules and regulations it shall deem necessary or desirable. The board
may obtain the assistance of the attorney general to obtain necessary legal
assistance. The board may expend the sums from the state examiners in polyg-
raphy fund in accordnace with annual budgets approved by the department of
finance and administration. All expenditures shall be made upon vouchers
signed by the registrar of the board.
SEC. 14. Any person who violates any provision of this act is guilty of a mis-
demeanor.
Approved March 21, 1963.
EXHIBIT 3511-OREGoN
Regular Session
CHAPTER 249, LAWS 1963
House Bill No. 1453
AN ACT Relating to lie detector tests as a condition for employment; and providing penalties
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. No person, or agent or representative of such person, shall require
as a condition for employment or continuation of employment, any person or em-
ploye to take a polygraph test or any form of a so-called lie detector test.
SEC. 2. Violation of section 1 of this Act is punishable, upon conviction, by a
fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more
than one year, or by both.
Approved May 6, 1963.
EXHIBIT 351-RHoDE ISLAND
CHAPTER 229
AN ACT Prohibiting the lisa of Lie Detector Tests by Employers as a Condition of Employment
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 28 of the general laws, entitled "Labor and labor relations,"
as amended, is hereby further amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
Chapter 6.1
Lie detector tests as conditions of employment.
28-6.1-1. Lie detector tests prohibited.-No employer or agent of any em-
ployer shall require or subject any employee to any lie detector tests as a condition
of employment or continued employment.
28-6.1-2. Pei~alty for violations-Exception.Any employer who subjects any
person employed by him, or any person applying for employment, to a lie detector
test, or causes, directly or indirectly, any such employee or applicant to take a lie
detector test, shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars.
This section shall not tipply to lie detector tests administered by law enforcement
agencies in the performance of their official duties.
SEC. 2. This act shall take effect UpOn its passage and all acts and parts of acts
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
560
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EXHIBIT 35J-WAsHn~qToN, Regular Se~s1on
CHA~TER~ 152, I~AWS 1965
House Bill No. 100
AN ACT Relatiug to isbor; adding new sections to chapter 249, Laws of 1909, and to ehapter 49.44 ROW'
~nd prescribing penalties
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State ~of Washington:
SECTIoN 1. There is added to chapter 249, Laws of 1909, and to chapter 49.44
RCW a new section to read as follows:
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm corporation or the state of Washington,
its political subdivisions or municipal corporations to require any employee or
prospective employee to take or be subjected to any lie detector or similar tests
as a condition of employment or continued employment; Provided, That this
section shall not apply to (1) persons in the field of public law enforcement, or
(2) persons who dispense narcotics or dangerous drugs, or (3) persons in sensitive
positions directly involving national security.
SEc. 2. There is added to chapter 249, Laws of 1909, and to chapter 49.44
RCW a new section to read as follows:
Any person violating the provisions of section 1 of this act shall be guilty of a
gross misdemeanor.
Approved, March 23, 1965.
EXHIBIT 36-REPoRT OF THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE ASSASSINATION
OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY, APPENDIX XVII: POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION OF
JACK RUBY
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS
I
561
s desire to be
Lth?
hat, Jack.
nfidence I have in it,
~t any kind of test,
ant it. I wouldn't
other witness, but if you want
PAGENO="0054"
USE OF POLYGRAPhS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
of the proceedings where in the very last portion of the transcribed hearings Ruby
states:
~ "Mr. RUBY. All I want to do is to tell the truth, and the only way you can know
it is by the polygraph, as that is the only way you can know it.
"Chief Justice WARREN. That we will do for you."
Following Ruby's insistence on a polygraph test, the Commission initiated
arrangements to have the FBI conduct such an examination. A detailed set of
questions was prepared for the polygtaph examination, which was set for July 16,
1964. A few days before the scheduled test, the Commission was informed that
Ruby's sister, Eva Grant, and his counsel, Joe H. Tonahiii, opposed the polygraph
on the ground that psychiatric examinations showed that his mental state was such
that the test would be meaningless.
The Commission was advised that Sol Dann, a Detroit attorney representing
the Ruby family, had informed the Dallas office of the FBI on July 15, 1964, that
a polygraph examination would affect Ruby's health and would be of questionable
value according to Dr. Emanuel Tanay, a Detroit psychiatrist. On that same
date, Assistant Counsel Arlen Specter discussed by telephone the polygraph
examination with Defense Counsel Joe H. Tonahill, who expressed his personal
opinion that a polygraph examination should be administered to Ruby. By
letter dated July 15, 1964, Dallas District Attorney Henry Wade requested that
the polygraph examination cover the issue of premeditation as well as the de-
fensive theories in the case.
Against this background, it was decided that a representative of the Com-
mission would travel to Dallas to determine whether Jack Ruby wanted to take
the polygraph test. Since Ruby had had frequent changes in attorneys and
because he was presumed to be sane, the final decision on the examination was his,
especially in view of his prior personal insistence on the test. In the jury con-
ference room at the Dallas jail on July 18, Assistant Counsel Arlen Specter,
representing the Commission, informed Chief Defense Counsel Clayton Fowler,
cocounsel Tonahill, and Assistant District Attorney William F. Alexander that
the Commission was not insisting on or even requesting that the test be taken, but
was merely fulfilling its commitment to make the examination available. In the
event Ruby had changed his mind and would so state for the record, that would
conclude the issue as far as the Commission was concerned.
Chief Defense Counsel Fowler had objected to the test. He conferred with
Jack Ruby in his cell and then returned stating that Ruby insisted on taking
the examination. Mr. Fowler requested that (1) Dr. Tanay, the Detroit psy-
chiatrist, be present; (2) the results of the test not be disclosed other than to the
Commission; (3) the questions to be asked not be disclosed to the tlistrict attor-
ney's office ; and (4) the results of the test be made available to defense counsel.
Sheriff William Decker announced his intention to have Allan L. Sweatt, his
chief criminal deputy who was also a polygraph operator, present to maintain
custody of Jack Ruby while the examination was being administered. Assistant
District Attorney Alexander requested a list of questions, a copy of the recording
made by the polygraph machine, and a copy of the report interpreting. the test.
In response to the numerous requests, the procedure was determined that the
questions to be asked of Ruby would be discussed in a preliminary session in the
presence of defense counsel, the assistant district attorney, and Chief Jailer
E. L. Holman, who was to replace Sweatt. The assistant district attorney
would not be present when Ruby answered the questions, but Jailer Holman
was allowed to remain to retain custody of Ruby. No commitment was made
on behalf of the Commission as to what disclosure would be made of the results
of the examination. Since Dr. Tanay was not in Dallas and therefore could
not be present, arrangements were made to have in attendance Dr. William R.
Beavers, a psychiatrist who had previously examined and evaluated Ruby's mental
state.
At the conclusion of the lengthy preliminary proceedings, Ruby entered the
jury conference room at 2:23 p.m. and was informed that the Commission was
prepared to fulfill its commitment to offer him a polygraph examination, but was
not requesting the test. On behalf of the Commission, Assistant Counsel Specter
warned Ruby that anything he said could be used against him. Chief Defense
Counsel Fowler advised Ruby of his objections to the examination. Ruby then
stated that he wanted the polygraph examination conducted and that he wanted
the results released to the public a~ promptly as possible. Special Agent Bell
P. Herndon, polygraph operator of the FBI, obtained a written "consent to in-
terview with polygraph" signed by Jack Ruby. Herndon then proceeded to
administer the polygraph examination by breaking the questions up into series
which were ordinarily nine questions in length and consisted of relevant inter-
rogatories and control questions.
I
562
PAGENO="0055"
tISE or POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" 563
ADMINISTI~ATION OF THE TEST
During the course of the polygraph examination Jack Ruby answered the
relevant questions as follows:
"Q. Did you know Oswald before November 22, 1963?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you assist Oswald in the assassination?
"A. No.
"Q. Are you now a member of the Communist Party?
"A. No.
"Q. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party? -
"A. No.
"Q. Areyou now a member of any group that advocates the violent overthrow
of the TJ.S. Government?
"A. No.
"Q. Have you ever been a member of any group that advocates violent over-
throw of the U.S. Government?
"A. No.
"Q. Between the assassination and the shooting, did anybody you know tell
you they knew Oswald?
"A. No.
"Q. Aside from anything you said to George Senator on Sunday morning, did
you ever tell anyone else that you intended to shoot Oswald?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you shoot Oswald in order to silence him? ~
"A. No.
"Q. Did you first decide to shoot Oswald on Friday night?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you first decide to shoot Oswald on Saturday morning?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you first decide to shoot Oswald on Saturday night?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you first decide to shoot Oswald on Sunday morning?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Were you on the sidewalk at the time Lieutenant Pierce's car stopped on
the ramp exit?
. "A. Yes.
"Q. Did you enter the jail by walking through an alleyway?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you walk past the guard at the time Lieutenant Pierce's car was parked
on the ramp exit? -
"A. Yes.
"Q. Did you talk with any Dallas police officers on Sunday, November 24,
prior to the shooting of Oswald?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you see the armored car before it entered the basement?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you enter the police department through a door at the rear of the
east side of the jail?
"A. No.
"Q. After talking to Little Lynn did you hear any announcement that Oswald
was about to be moved?
"A. No.
~`Q. Before you left your apartment Sunday morning, did anyone tell ~ou
the armored car was on the way to the police department? -
"A. No.
"Q. Did you get a Wall Street Journal at the Southwestern Drug Store during
the week before the assassination? -
- "A. No,
"Q. Do you have any knowledge of a Wall Street Journal addressed to Mr.
J. B. Bradshaw?
"A. No.
"Q. To your knowledge, did any of your friends or did you telephone the FBI
in Dallas between 2 or 3 a.m. Sunday morning?
"A. No. -
"Q. Did you or any of your friends to your juiowledge telephone the sheriff's
office between 2 or 3 a.m. Sunday morning?
"A. No.
PAGENO="0056"
I
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
"Q. Did you go to the Dallas police station at any time on Friday, November
22, 1963, before you went to the synagogue?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you go to the synagogue that Friday night?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Did you see Oswald in the Dallas jail on Friday night?
"A. Yes.
"Q' Did you have a gun with you when you went to the Friday midnight
press conference at the jail?
"A. No.
"Q. Is everything you told the Warren Commission the entire truth?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Have you ever knowingly attended any meetings of the Communist Party
or any other group that advocates violent overthrow of the Government?
"A. No.
"Q. Is any member of your immediate family or any close friend, a member of
the Communist Party?
"A. No.
"Q. Is any member of your immediate family or any close friend, a member of
any group that advocates the violent overthrow of the Government?
"A. No.
"Q. Did any close friend or any member of your immediate family ever attend
a meeting of the Communist Party?
"A. No.
"Q. Did any close friend or any member of your immediate family ever attend
a meeting of any group that advocates the violent overthrow of the Government?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you ever meet Oswald at your post office box?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you use your post office mailbox to do any business with Mexico or
Cuba?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you do business with Castro-Cuba?
"A. No.
"Q. Was your trip to Cuba solely for pleasure?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Have you now told us the truth concerning why you carried $2,200 in cash
on you?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Did any foreign influence cause you to shoot Oswald?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you shoot Oswald because of any influence of the underworld?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you shoot Oswald because of a labor union influence?
"A. No.
"Q. Did any long-distance telephone calls which you made before the assassina-
tion of the President have anything to do with the assassination?
"A. No.
"Q. Did any of your long-distance telephone calls concern the shooting of
Oswald?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you shoot Oswald in order to save Mrs. Kennedy the ordeal of a trial?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Did you know the Tippit that was killed?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you tell the truth about relaying the message to Ray Brantley to get
MeWillie a few guns?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Did you go to the assembly room on Friday night to get the telephone
nttmber of KLIF?
"A. Yes.
"Q. Did you ever meet with Oswald and Officer Tippit at your club?
"A. No.
"Q. Were you at the Parkiand Hospital at any time on Friday?
"A. No.
"Q. Did you say anything when you shot Oswald other than what you've
testified about?
"A. No.
564
I
I
f
PAGENO="0057"
I
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS LIE DETECTORS" 565
"Q. Have members of sour family been physically harmed because of what
you did?
"A. No.
"Q. Do you think members of your family are now in danger because of what
you did?
"(No response.)
"Q. Is Mr. Fowler in danger because he is defending you?
"(No response.)
"Q. Did "Blackie" Hanson speak to you just before you shot Oswald?
"A. No."
. INTERPRETATION OF TEE TEST
A polygraph examination is designed to detect physiological responses to stimuli
in a carefully controlled interrogation. Such responses may accompany and
indicate deception. The polygraph instrument derives its name from the Greek
derivative "poly" meaning many and the word "graph" meaning writings. The
polygraph chart writings consist of three separate markings placed on a graph
reflecting three separate physiological reactions. A rubber tube is placed around
the subject's chest to record his breathing pattern on a pneum.ograph. That
device records the respiratory ratio of inhalation and exhalation strokes. The
second component is called a galvanic skin response which consists of dee-
trodes placed on the examinee's fingers, through which a small amount of
electrical current is passed to the skin. The galvanometer records the minute
electrical skin response. The third component consists of a cardiograph which is
a tracing obtained by attaching a pneumatic cuff around the left arm in a manuer
very similar to an apparatus which takes blood pressure. When the cuff is inflated
that device records relative blood pressures or change in the heart rate.
From those testing devices, it is possible to measure psychological or emotional
stress. This testing device is the product of observation by psychologists and
physiologists who noted certain physiological responses when people lie. In
about 1920, law enforcement officials with psychological and pysiological training
initiated the development of the instrument to serve as an investigative aid.
The polygraph may record responses indicative of deception, but it must be
carefully interpreted. The relevant questions, as to which the interrogator is
seeking to determine whether the subject is falsifying, are compared with control
questions where the examiner obtains a known indication of deception or some
expected emotional response. In evaluating the polygraph, due consideration
must be given to the fact that a physiological response may be caused by factors
other than deception, such as fear, anxiety, nervousness, dislike, and other emo-
tions. There are no valid statistics as to the reliability of the polygraph. FBI
Agent Herndon testified that, notwithstanding the absence of percentage mdi-
cators of reliability, an informed judgment may be obtained from a well-qualified
examiner on the indications of deception in a normal person under appropriate
standards of administration.
Ordinarily during a polygraph examination only the examiner and the examinee
are present. It is the practice of the FBI, however, to have a second agent
present to take notes. It is normally undesirable to have other people present
during the polygraph examination because the examinee may react emotionally to
them. Because of the numerous interested parties involved in Ruby's polygraph
examination, there were present individuals representing the Commission and the
Dallas district attorney, as well as two defense counsel, two FBI agents, the chief
jailer, the psychiatrist, and the court reporter, although the assistant district
attorney and one defense counsel left when Ruby was actually responding to
questions while the instrument was activated. Ruby was placed in a position
where there was a minimum of distraction for him during the test. He faced a
~rall and could not see anyone except possibly through secondary vision from the
~ side. Agent Herndon expressed the opinion that Ruby was not affected by the
presence of the people in the room.
Answer by Ruby to certain irrelevant control questions suggested an attempt
: to deceive on those questions. For example, Ruby answered "No" to the question
~ ; "While in the service did you receive any disciplinary action?" His reaction
suggested deception in his answer. Similarly, Ruby's negative answer to the
query "Did you ever overcharge a customer?" was suggestive of deception Ruby
further showed an emotional response to other control questions such as "Have
I 1 you ever been known by another name?" "Are you married?" "Have you ever
served time in jail?" "Are your parents alive?" "Other than what you told me,
did you ever hit anyone with any kind of a weapon?" Herndon concluded that
PAGENO="0058"
I
566 USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS LIE DETECTORS"
the absence of any physiological response on the relevant questions indicated that
there was no deception.
An accurate evaluation of Ruby's polygraph examination depends on whether
he was psychotic. Since a psychotic is divorced from reality, the polygraph
tracings could not be logically interpreted on such an individual. A psychotic
person might believe a false answer was true so he would not register an emotional
response characteristic of deception as a normal person would. If a person is so
mentally disturbed that he does not understand the nature of the questions or
the substance of his answers, then no validity can be attached to the polygraph
examination. Herndon stated that if a person, on the other hand, was in touch
with reality, then the polygraph examination could be interpreted like any other
such test.
Based on his previous contacts with Ruby and from observing him during the
entire polygraph proceeding, Dr. William R. Beavers testified as follows:
"In the greater proportion of the time that he answered the questions, I felt
that he was aware of the questions and that he understood them, and that he was
giving answers based on an appreciation of reality."
Dr. Beavers further stated that he had previously diagnosed Ruby as a "psy-
chotic depressive."
Based on the assumption that Ruby was a "psychotic depressive," Herndon
testified:
"There would be no validity to the ploygraph examination, and no significance
should be placed upon the polygraph charts."
Considering other phases of Dr. Beavers' testimony, Herndon stated:
"Well, based on the hypothesis that Ruby was mentally competent and sound,
the charts could be interpreted, and if those conditionsare fact, the charts could
be interpreted to indicate that there was no area of deception present with regard
to his response to the relevant questions during the polygraph examination."
In stating his opinion that Ruby was in touch with reality and understood the
questions and answers, Dr. Beavers excepted two questions where he concluded
that Ruby's underlying delusional state took hold. Those questions related to
the safety of Ruby's family and his defense counsel. While in the preliminary
session Ruby had answered those questions by stating that he felt his family and
defense counsel were in danger, he did not answer either question when the
polygraph was activated. Dr. Beavers interpreted Ruby's failure to answer as a
reflection of "internal struggle as to just what was reality." In addition, Dr.
Beavers testified that the test was not injurious to Ruby's mental or physical
condition.
Because Ruby not only volunteered but insisted upon taking a polygraph
examination, the Commission agreed to the examination. FBI Director J. Edgar
Hoover commented on the examination as follows:
"It should be pointed out that the polygraph, often referred to as `lie detector'
is not in fact such a device. The instrument is designed to record under proper
stimuli emotional responses in the form of physiological variations which may
indicate and accompany deception. The FBI feels that the polygraph technique
is not sufficiently precise to permit absolute judgments of deception or truth
without qualifications. The polygraph technique has a number of limitations,
one of which relates to the mental fitness and condition of the examinee to be
tested.
"During the proceedings at Dallas, Tex., on July 18, 1964, Dr. William R.
Beavers, a psychiatrist, testified that he would generally describe Jack Ruby as a
`psychotic depressive.' In view of the serious question raised as to Ruby's
mental condition, no significance should be placed on the polygraph examination
and it should be considered nonconclusive as the charts cannot be relied upon."
Having granted Ruby's request for the examination, the Commission is publish-
ing the transcript of the hearing at which the test was conducted and the transcript
of the deposition of the FBI polygraph operator who administered the test. The
Commission did not rely on the results of this examination in reaching the con-
clusions stated in this report.
PAGENO="0059"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
EXHIBIT 37-REPLY FROM THE DEPAETMEN'~ OF JUSTICE: FEDERAL BUREAU OF
INVESTIGATION
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
Washington, D.C., July 16, 1963.
S. A. ANDRETTA,
Administrative Assistant Attorney General.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION,
Washington, D.C., July ~2, 1963.
1. Does your agency possess or make use of polygraphs or other so-called lie-
detection devices? (If major subordinate organizations within your agency
engage in such activity, please list all those organizations.)
Yes.
2. Briefly explain your agency's general procedures governing the use of such
devices and answer the following specific questions. (Please explain procedures
and indicate if they are covered by regulation in connection with each question.
If more than one major subordinate organization within the agency is affected,
provide separate responses for each.)
(a) For what specific purposes are these devices used? (i.e., employment
interviews, security-clearance processing, suspected improper conduct of duties,
or other purposes.)
The FBI uses the polygraph as an investigative aid in carefully selected cases
involving criminal and security violations in which the FBI has primary juris-
diction. All persons interviewed with the polygraph sign voluntary waivers
indicating their willingness to be interviewed with this device. The FBI does not
use the polygraph in interviewing job applicants or general personnel screening.
(b) Are the devices used in every instance involving those purposes listed in
answer to question (a)?
No; only selected cases. During fiscal year 1962 the FBI handled 637,090
investigative matters. Polygranh technique was utilized in 912 investigative
matters. Therefore, use of the polygraph is 0. 14 percent of total investigative
matters.
(c) What weight is given the data resulting from tests by these devices, or
refusals to take such tests, in relation to other types of investigative information?
The FBI's official position with regard to polygraph results is that although the
polygraph is often referred to as a `lie detector," it is not in fact such a device.
The instrument is designed to record under proper stimuli emotional responses
which may indicate and accompany deception. It must be clearly understood
that emotional disturbances observed during a polygraph test can and may be
prompted by anger, fear, violent dislike, et cetera. The polygraph operator must
be extremely skilled, conservative, and objective. The FBI feels that the poiy-
graph technique is not sufficiently precise to permit absolute judgments of guilt or
nonguilt without qualifications. The polygraph is used as an investigative aid
and the results must be considered within the context of a complete investigation.
The polygraph can be helpful to implement an interrogation and provide investiga-
tive direction but it must not be relied on solely or used as a substitute for logical
investigation.
(d) Who makes the initial determination to use such devices, and is this initial
determination subject to review by higher authority in each case?
Requests to use the polygraph originate from the special agent in charge of the
field division where the subject resides. These cases are reviewed and passed on
by the assistant director level at the seat of government and reviewed at assistant
to director level.
567
I
Hon. JOHN E. Moss,
Chairman, Foreign Operations and Government Information Subcommittee, Committee
on Government Operations, House of Representatives.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This refers to your letter of June 11, 1963, addressed to
the Attorney General, requesting hiformation on the use of polygraph equipment
in the Department of Justice.
This is to advise you that the only branch of the Department which owns or
uses polygraph machines is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Director
of that Bureau has advised me that he has been in communication with your
Subcommittee and has furnished information concerning the FBI's use of
the polygraph.
Sincerely,
PAGENO="0060"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
(e) Is the physical and mental condition of each person to be tested considered
to determine suitability to take such a test?
Yes.
(f) What disposition is made of data derived from such tests given to persons
connected with your agency (i.e., retained in affected individual's personnel files,
retained separately, etc.)?
As pointed out above, the polygraph is not used for personnel screening.
(~1) Are the findings of such tests made available to the individuals who take the
tests?
During the course of a polygraph examination, the examiner may inform the
testee that he appears to be deceiving with regard to a question or questions to
allow follow-up interrogation. However, the person is not iuformed of the final
opinions or results of the examination.
(h) Is there a right of appeal in cases of adverse findings?
The FBI does not use the polygraph for personnel screening and in this context
the right of appeal is not applicable. However, in our usage of polygraph, if a
person requests a reexamination, it would be given if a logical reason existed.
(i) IS access to such data restricted and, if so, what classification or other
designation is applied to the data?
Polygraph data is maintained in substantive investigative case files and, there-
fore, is of a confidential character under departmental order 260-62 dated January
19, 1962 (previously DO 3229).
(j) If a person connected with your agency refuses to take such a test, is that
refusal reflected in any way whatsoever in the individual's personnel records?
As indicated above the polygraph is not used for applicant and general personnel
screening.
(k) Does you agency maintain special facilities, such as specially designed
rooms, for the performance of such tests? Briefly describe such facilities and
how they are equipped. Furnish photographs, if available.
No.
(1) I-low many polygraph tests or examinations involving similar devices were
conducted by your agency in fiscal year 1963?
During fiscal year 1963, the Bureau utilized the polygraph technique in 1,030
investigative matters and examined 2,314 individuals (June 1963 estimated).
(m) How many such tests were conducted by other agencies, public or private,
at the request of your agency during fiscal 1963?
None.
3. Please enumerate, by job title and grade, all employees of your agency who
are authorized to conduct polygraph or similar tests and list their salary costs for
fiscal 1963. In addition, please answer the following:
During fiscal year 1963 the Federal Bureau of Investigation had 46 trained
polygraph operators, but only 40 actually conducted polygraph examinations.
Only a portion of the time of the 40 who actually conducted polygraph examina-
tions was spent on this work, at an estimated cost of $37,000, or 6 percent of the
total annual salary cost of the 46 trained operators.
(a) How many of these persons have, as their primary duty, the conducting of
such tests?
None.
(b) What are the minimum qualifications required of those persons within
your agency authorized to conduct such tests?
(1) Age: No minimum age for polygraph examiners has been set; however,
all examiners must be special agents. Minimum age for special agents is
23 years. In actuality the minimum age of agents trained has been 30 years.
(2) Education: All special agent examiners have a minimum of a 4-year
resident college degree and many have advanced degrees.
(3) Grade or rank : Special agent.
(4) Years of investigative experience : No minimum years of investigative
experience has been set ; however, in actuality the minimum experience
has been 5 years. Most examiners had at least 10 years investigative cx-
perience prior to polygraph training.
(5) Agency check or character investigation required: Yes.
(6) Type of special polygraph training: Internal training course and
advanced training seminars.
(7) Other requirements: t~ 1 cani
be recommended by th~
onstrated excellent intei )gation ab
qualifications have been furnished our f
568
I
PAGENO="0061"
I
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS LIE DETECTORS" 569
polygraph training : Broad investigative experience with demonstrated
ability for thorough interrogation; marked prcfficieney in planning and con-
ducting interviews with particular reference to alertness and facility in
thought; academic training in psychology, physiology, law, social sciences
or previous training and experience with the polygraph; ability to gain
confidence of others and handle people under difficult circumstances with
such personal characteristics as maturity, stability of temperament, good
judgment, and initiative; genuine interest in receiving training and developing
skill in scientific interrogation techniques ; other considerations such as
fluency in speaking a foreign language.
(c) Describe any training program your agency provides to train its own
employees, or employees of other Federal agencies, in conducting such tests.
The initial training is given by own agency and lasts approximately 2 weeks
following which the examiners undergo on-the-job training for approximately I
year under close supervision of the seat of government during which time each of
their examinations is reveiwed by a qualified supervisor. The polygraph serves
as a supplemental tool to assist the already high interrogation skill of our cx-
aminers.
(d) Does your agency send employees to outside agencies or schools, public
or private, for training in such testing? If so, please provide the name and ad-
dress of the training fttcility.
No.
4. How many polygraphs and other so-called lie detection divices are the
property of your agency
The FBI presently has 48 polygraph instruments, 8 of which represent experi-
mental, research, and training equipment.
(a) Please list the total acquisition cost of all such devices.
Total acquisition cost of all instruments is approximately $38,426.50.
. (b) Please estimate the total annual maintenance costs of such devices and
indicate whether maintenance is performed by agency personnel or by outside
sources.
Estimated annual maintenance cost: $125. Maintenence performed by own
personnel.
(c) If your agency leases such devices, or contracts with other public or private
agencies to perform such tests, please provide the total costs for such activity
during fiscal 1963.
The FBI does not lease polygraphs or contract with other public or private
agencies to perform such tests.
(d) Please estimate all additional ~xpenses attributable to such testing, such
. as travel expenses for examiners to and from location of tests, internal and external
training programs, and all other costs.
For the selected agents this training is part of regular agent refresher courses.
Since their polygraph assignments are incidental to their other duties as special
agents, no cost breakdowiss is maintained._
5. Please provide two copies each of all intraagency directives, administrative
orders, rules, regulations, and/or instructions governing the use of such devices
within your agency.
Set forth below, which for the most part has been furnished in our reply to the
above questions, is a summary of instructions governing use of the polygraph
within the FBI.
Lie detectors are instruments for recording physiological changes such as blood
pressure, pulse, respiratory, and electrodermal responses.
Conclusions frOm polygraph tests are not admissible as evidence ; statements
made while polygraph utilized are admissible evidence.
Polygraphs and agents trained as examiners are located in key offices.
Polygraph used in selected cases consistent with investigative requirements.
Headquarters must authorize polygraph use in every instance.
All persons interviewed with polygraph must give voluntary written consent.
FBI will not authorize polygraph use by outside agency in Bureau case or make
available Bureau polygraph to outside agency.
PAGENO="0062"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
EXHIBIT 38-SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION,
MARCH 27, 1964
The following supplemental information to our completed questionnaire dated
July 22, 1963, on FBI use of a polygraph is set out:
1 . Formal regulations governing use.-The FBI does have rigid written regula-
tions governing use of a polygraph as previously set out in completed questionnaire
dated July 22, 1963.
2. Test results subject to appeal.-The FBI does not use the polygraph for
personnel screening and in this context the right of appeal is not applicable.
However, in our usage of polygraph, if a person requests a reexamination, it would
be given if a logical reason existed.
3. Results available to testee.-During the course of a polygraph examination,
the examiner may inform the testee that he appears to be deceiving with regard
to a question or questions to allow follow-up interrogation. However, the person
is not informed of the final opinions or results of the examination.
4. Minimum qualifications for polygraph operators:
(a) Age.-As previously advised, the actual minimum age of an agent trained
as a polygraph examiner has been 30. The majority of our examiners were
between 35 and 45 when trained and we only consider mature and experienced
agents.
(b) Years of investigative experience.-As previously advised, the actual minimum
experience of our examiners has been 5 years and most had at least 10 years
investigative experience prior to polygraph training.
(c) Other requirements.-In explanation of the broad requirements listed in our
supplemental questionnaire dated January 13, 1964, the following written quali-
fications have been furnished our field offices when selecting agents for polygraph
training:
(1) Broad investigative experience with demonstrated ability for thorough
interrogation.
(2) Marked proficiency in planning and conducting interviews with par-
ticular reference to alertness and facility in thought.
(3) Academic training in psychology, physiology, law, social sciences, or
previous training and experience with the polygraph.
(4) Ability to gain confidence of others and handle people under difficult
circumstances with such personal characteristics as maturity, stability of
temperament, good judgment, and initiative.
(5) Genuine interest in receiving training and developing skill in scientific
interrogation techniques.
(6) Other considerations such as fluency in speaking a foreign language.
EXHIBIT 39-LETTER FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, FEDERAL BUREAU
OF INVESTIGATION, TO HON. JOHN E. Moss, APRIL 21, 1964
WASHINGTON, D.C., April f~1, 1964.
Hon. JOHN E. Moss,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.
M~ DEAR CONGRESSMAN : Your letter of April 15, 1964, requesting a list of
studies since 1950 involving the polygraph made by the FBI or individuals or
organizations under contract to the FBI has been received.
This is to advise that the FBI has not conducted any such study involving the
polygraph. Additionally, in response to your inquiry, there has not been any
such study or report prepared by an outside individual or organization as a con-
sultant under contract to the FBI.
Sincerely yours,
570
J. EDGAR HoovER.
PAGENO="0063"
EXHIBIT 40-LETTBR FE0M U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, FEDERAL BUREAU
OF INVESTIGATION, TO HON. JOHN E. Moss, MAY 24, 196ô
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 24, 1965.
Hon. JOHN B. Moss,
House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN : This letter is to confirm the telephonic conversation
between Mr. John P. Mohr, assistant to the Director, and Mr. Benny Kass,
general counsel of your subcommittee, on May 21, 1965.
With regard to your interest in securing testimony in the Edward Grady Partin
matter involving James R. Hoffa, the Attorney General has advised that it will
not be possible to furnish such testimony in view of the fact an appeal is pending
in this matter.
So far as the Jack L. Ruby polygraph examination is concerned, material
dealing with this is contained in the Warren Commission report. In addition,
the Attorney General believes it appropriate for your subcommittee to contact
the Texas prosecuting authorities prior to testimony inasmuch as the Ruby case
is being appealed in the Texas State courts.
Sincerely yours,
J. EDGAR HOOVER.
EXHIBIT 41-LETTER FROM BENNY L. KAss, SUBCOMMITTEE COUNSEL, TO
HENRY WADE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DALLAS, TEX.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION SUBCOMMITTEE,
T4~ashington, D.C., May 22, 1965.
Mr. HENRY WADE,
District Attorney,
Records Building, Dallas, Tex.
DEAR MR. WADE: This is to confirm our telephone conversation of Friday
evening, May 21, 1965, where you stated you had no objection to the Foreign
Operations and Government Information Subcommittee exploring certain aspects
of the FBI's polygraph test given to Mr. Jack Ruby. Hearings with the FBI
will begin on May 25, 1965, and I will send you a transcript just as soon as they
are available.
As I mentioned on the telephone, the FBI's polygraph test of Mr. Ruby was
extensively reported in both the hearings and the report of the President's Com-
mission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. They can be found in vol.
XIV (hearings), pages 504-598, and in appendix XVII of the final report.
Sincerely yours,
EXHIBIT 42-EXCERPT FROM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION MANUAL
PART II
2. Interviews with witnesses, suspects, and subjects; confessions and signed
statements.
A. Policy and instructions (interviews of subjects, suspects, and witnesses
must be handled in a businesslike manner, carefully prepared, and thoughtfully
planned. It is imperative that all pertinent information be obtained in a mini-
mum of time. Every effort should be made to avoid recontacts unless good
judgment, common sense, and sound investigation make them necessary):
1 . Interviews with persons under arrest must be in a manner that will not
unnecessarily delay their appearance before a U.S. Commissioner.
2. Constitutional safeguards must be borne in mind at all times. At
the beginning of an interview with a subject, suspect, or an arrested person,
such person must be promptly informed that he is not required to make a
statement and that any statement can be used against him in court. The
identity of the interviewing Agents must be known by such persons. Care
must be taken to see that no duress is exercised ; that no threats are made;
that the suspect or subject is not promised immunity from prosecution or
amelioration of punishment. Involuntary statements, confessions, or ad-
missions of guilt are not admissible in evidence.
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
571
BENNY L. KAss, Counsel.
PAGENO="0064"
I.
II.
TJSE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
3. At the beginning of an interview with a person under arrest, he should
be promptly informed of the right of counsel before making a statement.
At the beginning of an interview with a suspect for whom arrest is contem-
plated on conclusion of the interview, he should be promptly informed of the
right of counsel before making a statement.
4. When an individual in custody of local authorities is interviewed
regarding a possible Federal violation, he should be informed at the beginning
of the interview of the right of counsel before making a statement. Agents
are not responsible for either the appointment or employment of an attorney
for Bureau subjects.
5. [To obtain a valid waiver of counsel, any arrested subject interviewed
for a confession or admission of his own guilt must be warned of his right to
counsel which includes his right to have counsel appointed if he is indigent.
Advice of free counsel shall not be given to persons not under arrest.]
EXHIBIT 43-FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION TRAINING FOR POLYGRAPH
EXAMINERS
CURRICULUM SUMMARY, POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS' TRAINING SCHOOL
Two-weeks' intensive training:
1. Policy.
2. History and background of polygraph.
3. Nomenclature and functions of polygraph.
4. Polygraph test technique.
5. Physiological basis of the polygraph method of detection of deception.
6. Psychological factors affecting polygraph use.
7. Drugs and their effects on polygraph use.
8. Legal aspects.
9. Practical case exercises and actual case participation.
One year on-the-job training:
1 . Actual case participation under expert supervision and review.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Adatto, C. P., "Narcoanalysis as a Diagnostic Aid in Criminal Cases,"
Journal of Clinical Psychopathy, 1947, 8, 721-725.
2. Ansley, Norman and Weir, Raymond J., Jr., "Selected Papers on the Poly-
graph," The Board of Polygraph Examiners, 1956, Washington, D.C.
3. Anslinger and Tompkins, "The Traffic in Narcotics," Funk & Wagnalls Co.,
1953.
4. Ax, Albert F., "Psychophysiology of Fear and Anger," Psychiatric Research
Report 12, American Psychiatric Association, January 1960 (a), 167-175.
5. Best and Taylor, "The Living Body," Hei~ry Holt & Co., 1952.
6. Beigel, H. G., "Prevarication Under Hypnosis," Journal of Clinical Experi-
mental Hypnosis, 1953, 1 (3), 32-40.
7. Biderman, Albert D. and Zimmer, Herbert (eds.), "The Manipulation of
Human Behavior," John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1961.
8. Brenman, Margaret and Gill, M. M., "Hypnotherapy," New York: Inter-
national Universities Press, 1947.
9. Burach, B. A., "A Critical Analysis of the Theory, Method, and Limitations
of the Lie Detector," Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 1955, 46, 414-426.
10. Davidson, H. A., "Appraisal of the Witness," American Journal of Psychi-
atry, 1953, 110, 481-486.
11. Dc River, J. P., "Crime and the Sexual Psychopath," Charles C. Thomas,
1958.
12. Dession, G. H., Freedman, L. Z., Donnelly, R. C., & Redlich F. C., "Drug-
induced Revelation and Criminal Investigation," Yale Law Journal, 1953, 62,
315-344.
13. Drzuzga, J., "Sex Crimes," Charles C. Thomas, 1960.
14. Ellson, Douglas G., "A Report of Research on Detection of Deception,"
Indiana University, Contract No. 6 Nonr-18011 with the Office of Naval Research,
September 15, 1952.
15. Flock, Maurine, "Limitations of the Lie Detector," Journal of Criminal
Law and Criminology, 1950, 40, 651-653.
572
PAGENO="0065"
TfSi~ OF POLY~APHS AS "LIe DEPECPOItS" 573
1& Gerson, M. J. & Vietoroff, V. M., "Experimental Investigation into Validity
of Confessions Obtained Under Sodium Amytal Narcosis," Journal of Clinical
Psychopathy, 1948, 9, 359-275.
17. loch, P., Kubi~, J. F. & Rourke, F. L., "Psychogalvanic Investigations in
Psychoses and Other Abnormal Mental States," Psychosomatic Medicine Journal,
1944, 6, 237-243.
18. Horsley, J. S., "Narco-Analysis," New York: Oxford University Press,
1943.
19. House, R. E., "The Use of Scopolamine in Criminology," Texas State
Journal of Medicine, 1922, 18, 256-263.
20. Inbau, Fred and Reid, John E., "Lie Detection and Criminal Interrogation,"
3d ed., Williams & Wilkens Co., Baltimore, 1953.
21. Karpman, B. "Lying," Psychiatric Quarterly, 1949, 23, 1-25.
22. Kubis, Joseph F., "Analysis of Polygraphic Data," RADC-TDR-64-1O1,
January 1965.
23. Kubis, J. F., "Lie Detection: Recent Developments and Persistent Prob.~
lems," Trans. New York Academy of Science, 1953, 16, 34-38.
24. Kubis, Joseph F. "Studies in Lie Detection: Computer Feasibility Consid-
erations," RADC-TR 62-205, June 1962.
25. Larson, J. A., "Lying and Its Detection," 1932, University of Chicago
Press.
26. Lee, Clarence D., "The Instrumental Detection of Deception," 1953,
Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill.
27~ Leonard, V. A. (ed.), "Academy Lectures on Lie Detection," 1957, 1,
Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill.
28. Leonard, V. A. (ed.), "Academy Lectures on Lie Detection," 1958, 2 Charles
C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill.
29. MacDonald, J. M., "Truth Serum," Journal of Criminal Law and Crimi-
nology, 1955, 46, 259-263.
30. Morgan, J. Band Lovell, "Psychology of Abnormal People," Longmans
Green & Co., 1949.
31. Morgan and Stellar, "Physiological Psychology," McGraw-Hill Book Co.;
1950.
32. Sadler, W. S., "Practice of Psychiatry," C. V. Mosby Co., 1953.
33. Sternbanh, Ri chard A., Gustafson, Lawrence A. and Colier, Ronald L.,
"Don't Trust the Lie Detector," Harvard Business Review, vol. 40, November-
December, 1962.
34. Summers, Walter G., "Science Can Get the Confession," Fordham Law
Review, 1939, 8, 334-354.
35. Trovillo, Paul V~ "A History of Lie Detection," Journal of Criminal Law
and Criminology, 1939, 29, 848-881; 1939, 30, 104-119.
36. Trovillo, Paul V. "Scientific Proof of Credibility," Tennessee Law Review,
1951-53, 22, 743-766.
37. Wicker, W., Cureton, B. E., and Trovillo, P. V., "The Polygraphic Truth
Test: A Symposium," Tennessee Law Review, 22; 1-64.
~ 38. Dudycha, George J., "Psychology for Law Enforcement Officers," Thomas,
2d edition, 1960.
39. Arther and Caputo, "Interrogation for Investigators," Copp, 1959.
40. Inbau, Fred B. and Reid, John B., "Criminal Interrogation and Confes-
sions," Williams & Wilkens Co., Baltimore, recent edition.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION POLYGRAPH ADVANCED TRAINING 5E~INARS
In order to supplement the basic academic and the one-year, on-the-job train-
ing and to keep the polygraph examiners abreast of all current developments in
this field, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducts occasional advanced train-
ing seminars, as needed, on a regional basis. The seminar consists of calling in
regional polygraph examiners for a full two-day training session.
These conferences are each made up of a small group of experienced polygraph
examiners and are conducted as a round-table panel discussion under the immedi-
ate guidance of an experienced Supervisor. The basic objective is to provide an
interchange of ideas among the examiners, based on their actual experiences.
Accordingly, no specific curriculum is provided. In general, however, the follow-
ing items are covered:
1. Review of policy matters
2. Refresher on abnormal psychology and physiology
3. Dis~uesion and demonstration of new equipment
4. Panel discussion of cases, including new ideas and techniques involving
polygraph interrogation
PAGENO="0066"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS"
EXHIBIT 44-SUPPLEMENTAL DATA ON USE OF POLYGRAPH BY THE FEDERAL
BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION,
Washington, D.C., May 17, 1965.
Hon. JOHN E. MOSS,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.
M~ DEAR CONGRESSMAN: I have received your letter of May 6 regarding your
subcommittee's continuing study into the use of the polygraph by Federal agencies.
In accordance with your request, attached is the supplemental data you need
to complete your study. In order to facilitate reading, all 17 questions have been
repeated and are followed by our specific answer to each.
I trust this information will assist your subcommittee.
Sincerely yours,
J. EDGAR HOOVER.
QUESTIONNAIRE ON USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS LIE DETECTORS
1 . For what specific purposes does your agency use poiygraphs as lie detectors?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uses the polygraph as an investi-
gative aid in carefully selected cases involving serious criminal and security
violations in which the FBI has primary jurisdiction. The FBI does not use the
polygraph in interviewing job applicants or for general personnel screening.
2. How many so-called lie detection tests using polygraphs or similar devices
were conducted by your agency in fiscal 1964 for each of the specific purposes
listed in answer to question No. 1?
A total of 1,155 polygraph examinations were conducted by the FBI in 593
cases during fiscal 1964. Considering the total investigative matters handled by
the FBI in fiscal 1964 (666,982), the polygraph technique was used in only 0.09
percent (less than one-tenth of 1 percent) of the total investigations.
3. How many such tests were conducted by other agencies, public or private,
at the request of your agency in fiscal 1964? Identify the other agencies, state
the number of tests performed by each agency, and state the costs, if any.
No polygraph tests have ever been conducted by other agencies, public or
private, at the request of the FBI.
4. At what location (city and State if domestic, city and country, if foreign)
was each of the tests listed in answer to questions 2 and 3 given?
Specific data regarding the city and State where each of the 1,155 polygraph
examinations conducted in fiscal 1964 were given is not readily available; how-
ever, the 1,155 examinations were given in various communities in most if not
all of the 50 States of the United States.
5. How many polygraphs or other so-called lie detection devices are the property
of your agency?
The FBI presently has 48 polygraph instruments, 9 of which represent cx-
perimental, research, and training equipment.
(a) How many of these devices were purchased during fiscal 1964?
No polygraph instniments were purchased during fiscal 1964.
(b) How many of these devices were purchased as replacements?
Not applicable.
(c) What was the acquisition cost of the devices purchased during fiscal 1964?
Not applicable.
(d) Identify by brand and model the devices purchased during fiscal 1964.
Not applicable.
6. How many polygraphs or other so-called lie detection devices were leased
during fiscal 1964? At what cost?
No polygraphs or other devices were leased during fiscal 1964.
7. How many employees of your agency are authorized to conduèt examina-
tions using polygraphs or similar lie detection devices? What were the total
salary costs for these employees during fiscal 1964?
A total of 44 special agent employees are authorized to conduct polygraph
examinations. However, eight of these employees are currently assigned to
supervisory positions and do not actively conduct examinations, Therefore,
the FBI presently has 36 special agents who conduct polygraph examinations
incidental to their regular investigative duties. Only a small portion of these
agents' time is spent on polygraph work. Based on the previously reported
study for fiscal 1963, in which 6 percent of the total salary cost or $37,000 was
574
PAGENO="0067"
I
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS "LIE DETECTORS" 575
spent on polygraph work, for fiscal 1964 it is estimated that 3 percent of the
total salary cost or $18,500 was spent on polygraph assignments.
8. Estimate all other expenses attributable to the use of polygraphs as lie
detectors during fiscal 1964, including maintenance of the devices, travel expenses
for examiners and training programs.
During fiscal 1964 it is estimated that maintenance expense was less than $100.
There were no expenses attributable to polygraph training programs during
fiscal 1964. Since polygraph assignments are incidental to their other duties as
special agents, no travel cost breakdown is maintained specifically regarding the
very small amount of polygraph work.
9. What are the minimum qualifications for employees of your agency au-
thorized to conduct examinations using polygraphs or similar lie detection devices?
State specifically the minimum requirements of:
(a) Age.
The actual minimum age when trained has been 30 years; most trainees were
over 35.
(b) Education.
All special agent examiners have a minimum of a 4-year resident college degree
and many have advanced degress.
(c) Grade or rank.
Special agent.
(d) Years of investigative experience.
Actual minimum experience has been 5 years; most had over 10 years.
(e) Length of specialized training.
The specialized polygraph training lasts for 1 full year and is supplemented by
advanced training seminars.
In addition to above, all candidates for polygraph training have to be recom-
mended by their field special agent in charge and must have demonstrated excel-
lent interrogation ability.
The following written qualifications have been furnished our field offices when
selecting agents for polygraph training: Broad investigative experience with
demonstratee ability for thorough interrogation; marked proficiency in planning
and conducting interviews with particular reference to alertness and facility in
thought; academic training in psychology, physiology, law, social sciences or
previous training and experience with the polygraph; ability to gain confidence of
others and handle people under difficult circumstances with such personal charac-
teristics as ~ maturity, stability of temperament, good judgment, and initiative;
genuine interest in receiving training and developing skill in scientific interroga-
tion techniques ; other considerations such as fluency in speaking a foreign lan-
guage.
10. Describe, in general, any polygraph training program your agency conducts
for employees of your agency; include length of academic training and on-the-job
experience required as part of the training program.
The FBI trains its own polygraph examiners. The initial phase is a 2-week
academic curriculum followed by a full year on-the-job training program. The
polygraph technique serves as a supplemental tool to assist the already high
interrogation skill of our experienced special agent trainees. All FBI polygraph
examinations are subject to review by a supervisory staff in the FBI Laboratory.
1 1. Identify all other polygraph training facilities, either Government or
private, used for employees of your agency and State:
The FBI does not use any other polygraph training facilities, either govern-
ment or private.
(a) The number of employees who attended such training facilities during
fiscal 1964.
Not applicable.
(b) The cost per employee exclusive of per diem.
Not applicable.
12. What weight is given the data resulting from tests by polygraphs or simijar
lie detection devices in relation to other types of investigative information?
As previously reported the FBI's official position with regard to polygraph
results is that althdugh the polygraph is often referred to as a lie detector, it is
not in fact such a device. The instrument is designed to record under proper
stimuli emotional responses which may indicate and accompany deception. It
must be clearly understood that emotional disturbances observed during a poly-
graph test can and may be prompted by factors other than deception. The
polygraph operator must be extremely skilled, conservative, and objective. The
~ j FBI feels that the polygraph technique is not sufficiently precise to permit
PAGENO="0068"
USE OF POLYGRAPHS AS `LIE DETECTORS"
absolute judgments of guilt or nonguilt without qualifications. The polygraph
is used as an investigative aid and the results must be considered within the
context of a complete investigation. The polygraph can be helpful to implement
an interrogation and provide investigative direction but it must not be relied on
solely or used as a substitute for logical investigation.
(a) Who makes the initial determination to use such devices?
Initial determination to use the polygraph is made by the special agent in
charge of the field division where the subject resides.
(b) Is this initial determination subject to review by higher authority in each
case?
The lnitial determination is subject to review and must be approved by higher
authority.
(c) At what specific administrative level is the review made?
All cases are reviewed and passed on by the Assistant Director level, Assistant
to the Director, and final approval must be given by at least the Associate Director.
In some cases, the Director will make the final review.
13. If a person connected with your agency refuses to take a polygraph or other
lie detection test, is information about the refusal made available to any person
or agency outside your agency? Does your agency have any written rules or
regulations governing this procedure? If so, provide two copies.
Not applicable as the FBI does not use the polygraph for general personnel
screening.
14. Does your agency use two-way mirrors to permit observation of a poiy-
graph or similar lie detection test or use recording devices during such a test?
-The FBI does not use two-way mirrors to permit observation of a polygraph
test or use recording devices during such a test.
(a) If so, in either case, are the individuals taking the tests informed of the
existence of the two-wa~r mirrors or recording devices?
Not applicable.
(b) Does your agency have any regulations governing the use of the two-way
mirrors or recording devices during interrogations? If so, provide two copies.
Not applicable.
15. Has your agency during fiscal 1964 undertaken or contracted for any re-
search projects involving the use of the polygraph or other so-called lie detection
devices?
No, the FBI has not undertaken or contracted for any research projects in-
volving the use of the polygraph.
(a) If so, please identify the research project and the researcher (or university).
Not applicable.
(b) Please state the total costs incurred for each of these research projects.
Not applicable.
16. Has your agency ever been involved in any legal or administrative matter
involving the use of the polygraph or any other so-called lie detection device?
(This question is intended to elicit any reference, regardless of degree of use, to
the polygraph in these judicial or administrative proceedings.)
No.
(a) If your agency. holds administrative hearings, are any references to poly-
graph examinations admitted in evidence?
Not. applicable.
(l~) If the answer to question 16(a) is in the affirmative, is the polygraph oper-
ator made available for examination and cross-examination purposes?
Not applicable.
(c) Are polygraph charts and other related documents admitted in evidence
in these administrative hearings?
Not applicable.
17. If your agency has issued any new regulations or directives pertaining to
the use of polygraphs and other so-called lie detection devices since your answer
to the subcommittee questionnaire dated June 11, 1963 (or if your agency has
amended any existing regulations or directives), provide two copies of each.
The FBI has not issued any new regulations or directives or amended regu-
lations pertaining to use of the polygraph since answering the subcommittee
questionnaire dated June 11, 1963. .
I
576
PAGENO="0069"
INDEX
Page
Attorney, right to have 526
Control question technique 521, 535, 536, 540-542, 544
Desensitized 537-538
Drugs, effect on polygraph subject 531, 532, 533
Eyewitness 533
Federal Bureau of Investigation:
Number of polygraph tests given 51 4, 520
Minimum qualifications for polygraph operators 514-515
Organization chart 518
Use of polygraph 524
Waiver 526, 527
Training program 529, 530, 531, 544-545
Test given to Jack Ruby 537, 542
Invasion of privacy 546
"Lie detector," no such thing 516
Mental incompetency 518, 519
Normal pattern 534, 536
Pathological liar~ _ 522, 523
Peak of tension~ 542-543
Physiological response 521, 530, 531 , 532, 533-534, 540
Polygraph operator 516, 524
Polygraph tests:
Decision to give 517, 544
Number given 514, 520
Just an interrogation 523
Refusal to take 527, 528
When given 543
Preemployment screening 544
Refusal to take exam 527, 528
Research 525
Ruby, Jack 535, 536, 537, 540
Smoking, effect on polygraph subject 532
Training program 529, 530, 531, 544-545
Truth 522
Waiver 526, 527
Warren Commission report 535, 536, 540
577
0
PAGENO="0070"