NCJ Number
148965
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (1994) Pages: 1-23
Editor(s)
N Ansley
Date Published
1994
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This article presents that portion of the U.S. Joint Security Commission's report, "Redefining Security, A Report to the Secretary of Defense and the Director of Central Intelligence," which pertains to the use of the polygraph in Federal personnel security screening.
Abstract
The report focuses on how well such screening works, how it could be improved, and whether it should be continued. Following the presentation of background information on polygraph techniques and procedures as well as its current applications in the Department of Defense and the Federal intelligence community, the report outlines the common arguments for and against the use of the polygraph for personnel screening. The Commission concludes that with appropriate standardization, increased oversight, and training to prevent abuses, the polygraph program should be retained. Specific Commission recommendations pertain to oversight; standardization; and training, research, and development. The appendix contains a comment by Commissioner Lapham, who disagrees with the Commission's recommendations, although he supports the continued use of polygraph screening. His detailed recommendations for the polygraph screening program pertain to the scope of the relevant questions to be asked in polygraph screening conducted by the Department of Defense and the intelligence-community agencies, clearance reciprocity, control questions, overreliance on the polygraph, oversight, standardization, and certification. Other recommendations pertain to the establishment of a national polygraph institute and research that will focus on the development of valid and reliable security and screening tests, as well as the standardization of their use.