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        Tom was with the Vail Police Dept. for 20 years.  He was shot at 4 times but never returned fire.  After he retired from Vail for medical reasons, he trained to give polygraph tests, and estimates he’s administered at least 15,000 polygraph tests.  He has also worked security for such notable personalities as Henry Kissinger, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton. 

        Polygraph testing is an ancient art form that dates back to the Chinese (who put rice powder in your mouth – if it came out wet, you were telling the truth; if dry you were lying) and India (who put hot coals in your mouth with similar results).

        He works with our autonomic systems that functions below the level of consciousness on things that we do automatically, such as breathe, our heart beating and sweating.  He measures a ratio change of carbon dioxide exchange that affects breathing and a change of blood pressure, as well as the galvanic skin response that is affected by adrenalin.  He also uses a butt pad that senses when the subject is squeezing his buttocks.

        Tom believes anyone can operate a polygraph instrument (never called a machine).  He is more of a behaviorist who interviews the subject first, watching them from the time they come in, listening to their tone and responses.  He makes evaluations constantly as they answer general questions about their background, marriage, children, etc. and tries to get person into a neutral attitude before the actual testing.  Most of his tests are done on convicted sex offenders.

        People cannot be polygraphed without their permission, even if they’re prisoners.  They must fill out an information sheet (asking for drug usage, history of mental illness, etc.) and sign a release form.

        Pre-testing includes questions about if they’ve stolen money or committed crimes.  These are wide ranging questions that measure 75% to 80% accuracy.  Then he goes to more specific issue questions with a 98% accuracy.  These include sexual history, but must be simple and specific.  Asks about porn preferences & masturbation habits. 

        Testing is done in a small, plain room (7’x7’ or 8’x8’) nothing on the walls, no windows, one door no one else in the room, both are seated (subject facing a blank wall and Tom sits to his side, not across from subject).  A camera records the entire process.  No food, gum or even water is allowed.  Person is not shackled and there are no guards.

        In Colorado it’s illegal to have sex when:
        Someone is 25 & over has relations with someone 16 or under
        Someone is 18 and has relations with someone 14 & younger
        Someone is 17 and has relations with someone 13 & younger
        Someone has relations with a blood relative

        99% of convicted sex offenders are men. Women seem to be angrier

        To start the test, he first asks the person’s first name and if they’re over twenty-one.  Then he asks two yes or no questions to start, then goes into a pattern of asking a Control Question (broader), then a Relevant Question (specific), then a Control Question, then a Relevant Question and so on.

Rulings are:
        Deception Indicated
        No deception
        Inconclusive
        PNC – Purposely Not Compliant
        GNT – Generally Not Compliant

        If subject is doing counter measures, i.e. controlling breathing, movements, flexing, tightening butt cheeks, then there’s no ruling.  Sociopaths and psychopaths can still be tested.  In spite of their mental issues, they can’t change the physiological processes of their body.

        He’s discovered that for every arrest, the subject has either touched one girl 3 times or touched 3 people.  After interrogation, the number goes up to 8.  After the polygraph, the number goes up to 360. 

        One half of all adult women will receive some sort of unwanted sexual attack:
        1 in 6 are raped
        1 in 4 will experience physical or sexual abuse
        20% of sexual assaults are by JVs
        Of the total male JV population, 2 to 4% will commit a sexual offense
        30% to 50% of all child molestations are by adolescents

        Most tests are court ordered.  Tom might have to testify in court.  He also does testing for attorneys and fidelity tests.  His fees are:
        $250 for someone on parole or in prison
        $500 for an attorney test
        $500 for a Fidelity test (Tom hates those)

                                                      --submitted by Kathy Wernly

 


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