NCJ Number
187441
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: 2000 Pages: 326-329
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This case study describes how polygraph examinations used in concert with other investigative techniques obtained a confession in a theft case.
Abstract
The case involved the theft of a gun collection from a private home in a resort community patrolled by security guards. When the home owners were absent, a security guard noticed a broken pane of glass in the back door and the alarm deactivated. The gun collection was the only property stolen. Given the knowledge required to accomplish the theft, investigators turned their attention to security guards as suspects; and the investigation led to another suspect, a former security guard at the resort who left under unfavorable circumstances. The two security guards on duty at the time of the theft and the former guard agreed to polygraph tests. The two current security guards were determined to be nondeceptive, but the former security guard was assessed as being deceptive. The polygraph result combined with the suspect's wife's failure to corroborate his alibi and the statement of a witness regarding the suspect's effort to sell at a gun show a distinctive firearm from the stolen gun collection led to a confession from the suspect. The polygraph examinations are described, and the charts are included. 3 tables