CIA POLYGRAPH PROGRAM - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87S00869R000600080003-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 19, 2010
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: June 24, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

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Attached herewith is a sanitized
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CIA POLYGRAPH PROGRAM - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Polygraph testing has played a crucial role in the Central
Intelligence Agency's security program for the past 36 years.
During this time, the CIA. has developed incontrovertible
evidence of the value of this vital procedure.
The CIA's experience with polygraph involves close to a
million separate polygraph charts. The value of the polygraph,
indeed its indispensability, is clearly reflected in the fact
that about 80 percent of the security disapproval decisions
taken by the CIA's Director of Security are based on
information developed during the polygraph examination.
The polygraph program of the CIA is not limited to
applicant screening - the testing of all persons employed by,
assigned to or detailed to the CIA in a staff-like status.
Polygraph interviews are also conducted on operational assets
in direct support of the Agency's foreign
intelligence-gathering activities. On a periodic basis, all
CIA employees are subjected to retesting. CIA also utilizes
the polygraph in certain industrial security cases involving
particularly sensitive programs.
The CIA polygraph program is closely controlled and managed
by the Agency's Office of Security, following strict guidelines
established by the Director of Central Intelligence. Polygraph
examiners are generally selected from the ranks of professional
security officers who have had on-the-job experience and who
were initially the subjects of a rigorous selection process
prior to entering the Security career field. All examiners are
volunteers and are carefully selected for their maturity,
emotional stability, evenhandedness and dedication. They
receive their formal training at the CIA Polygraph School and
then must complete a 9-12 month probationary period under the
close scrutiny of experienced Agency examiners.
Over and above the initial training and probationary
period, a strict quality control program is designed to ensure
that the highest technical standards are met by all examiners,
whether at the apprentice or senior examiner level. All charts
are reviewed by supervisory personnel who also provide ongoing
guidance and monitor as necessary during the course of actual
polygraph examinations.
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The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
completed a detailed study on security clearance procedures in
the Intelligence Agencies in September 1979, at which time
there was a full review of the CIA's polygraph program. The
staff report concluded that the CIA's "security clearance
procedures appear. to be the most comprehensive and stringent in
the Intelligence Community.
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THE FOLLOWING IS THE SANITIZED NON-CLASSIFIED VERSION OF
TESTINDNY OF
BEFORE TFE
S1BCOPM'i1ITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS
OF THE
HOUSE ARE SERVICES CORIITTEE
CONCERNING THE USE OF THE POLYGRAPH
AT THE
09RAL INTELLIGEgCE AGEJCY
6 SE E TER 1984
2:00 P.M.
W 2212
RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
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MR. CHAIRMAN, MY NAME IS I AM THE DIRECTOR OF
SECURITY FOR THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, A POSITION I HAVE HELD SINCE
1980. PRIOR TO THAT I HELD VARIOUS SECURITY POSITIONS SINCE JOINING THE
AGENCY IN 1951. I BEGAN MY CAREER AT THE AGENCY AS A POLYGRAPH EXAMINER.
TODAY I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE POLYGRAPH PROGRAM OF THE
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY. As DIRECTOR OF SECURITY, I SEE THE POLYGRAPH
PROGRAM AS ONE PART OF A TOTAL SYSTEM BUILT TO PROTECT THE AGENCY'S SECRET
INTELLIGENCE, ITS SOURCES AND ITS METHODS. BUT LET ME STRESS AT THE OUTSET
THAT THE POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW IS AN INTEGRAL AND VITAL AND UNIQUE INGREDIENT
OF OUR OVERALL SECURITY PROGRAM.
TO BEGIN THE STORY LET ME MAKE THREE IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT POLYGRAPH:
FIRST: THE POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW IS THE SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE
TOOL AVAILABLE TO DEVELOP AND VERIFY SECURITY-RELATED
INFORMATION. THIS ENDORSEMENT IS BASED ON 36 YEARS OF
CIA's INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THIS TECHNIQUE.
SECOND: THE SUCCESS OF THE AGENCY'S POLYGRAPH PROGRAM HAS BEEN
MEASURED OVER THE YEARS IN TERMS OF THE SIGNIFICANT
VOLUNTARY ADMISSIONS MADE BY INDIVIDUALS DURING THE
COURSE OF POLYGRAPH INTERVIEWS.
THIRD: THE AGENCY'S POLYGRAPH PROGRAM IS FAIR AND PROFESSIONAL
IN BOTH CONTENT AND STYLE. IT PROVIDES AN APPROPRIATE
BALANCE BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
AND THE NEED TO PROTECT NATIONAL SECURITY.
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NOW A BIT OF HISTORY.
THE AGENCY'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE POLYGRAPH TECI-NOLOGY GOES BACK TO
1948 WHEN THE THEN DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, ADMIRAL HILLENKOETER,
ORDERED A STUDY, USING VOLUNTEERS, OF POLYGRAPH'S POSSIBLE VALUE IN PERSONNEL
SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS. BY THE END OF 1948 IT WAS CLEAR THAT SIGNIFICANT
PERSONNEL SECURITY INFORMATION, NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN, NOR INDEED AVAILABLE
FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE, COULD BE DEVELOPED THROUGH POLYGRAPH INTERVIEWS.
IN 1949, THE AGENCY BEGAN TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF USING THE
POLYGRAPH TO CHECK ON THE TRUTHFULNESS IN REPORTING BY FOREIGN AGENTS WE
WERE USING IN EUROPE AND THE FAR EAST. HERE TOO, WE FOUND THAT THE
TECHNIQUE NOT ONLY WORKED, BUT WORKED BRILLIANTLY. BY 1952 THE AGENCY'S
OPERATIONAL USE OF THE POLYGRAPH WAS IN EFFECT WORLDWIDE.
FINALLY, IN 1953, THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, ALLEN DULLES,
DIRECTED THE UTILIZATION OF POLYGRAPH AS A ROUTINE AND REQUIRED PHASE OF THE
SECURITY SCREENING OF APPLICANTS.
flow., 30 PLUS YEARS LATER, POLYGRAPH INTERVIEWING -- THIS EXTRAORDINARY
TECHNIQUE -- STANDS AS A MOST VALUABLE TOOL TO USE IN SUPPORT OF THE AGENCY'S
EXTRAORDINARILY SENSITIVE OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES.
FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS OF THE POLYGRAPH PROGRAM TO THE MOMENT, ONE
OF THE MOST CRITICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ITS CONTINUED SUCCESS HAS BEEN THE
CAREFUL SELECTION AND TRAINING OF THE POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS.
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POLYGRAPH IS THE MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL SECURITY SPECIALTIES TO
RECRUIT FOR. THE STANDARDS ARE VERY HIGH: COLLEGE DEGREES, INTERVIEW SKILLS,
EMPATHY WITH ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE AND A PERSONALITY CONDUCIVE TO STIMULATING
COmAVICATIONS.
ON THE TRAINING SIDE, THE AGENCY RUNS ITS OWN POLYGRAPH SCHOOL WHICH
IS FULLY AND FORMALLY ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN POLYGRAPH ASSOCIATION. THE
BASIC POLYGRAPH COURSE IS THREE-MONTHS LONG, FOLLOWED BY A NINE-MONTH
INTERNSHIP UNDER INTENSIVE SUPERVISION AND MONITORING. THE OVERALL
CURRICULUM FEATURES THESE SPECIALIZED AREAS OF STUDY:
? POLYGRAPH PHYSIOLOGY: THE BODILY REACTIONS TO DECEPTION
POLYGRAPH PSYCHOLOGY: THE MENTAL REACTIONS TO DECEPTION
POLYGRAPH INSTRUMENTATION: HOW THE INSTRUMENTATION WORKS
0 INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
0 LEGAL ISSUES
0 ETHICAL ISSUES.
It AREA OF SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REQUIRES AND RECEIVES THE SAME
DEGREE OF SUPERVISION AND MONITORING AS DOES THE POLYGRAPH PROGRAM. EVERY
INTERVIEW IS EVALUATED BY AT LEAST THREE LEVELS OF SUPERVISION BEFORE THE
RESULTS ARE CONSIDERED FINAL.
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ALL AGENCY POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS OPERATE WITHIN STRICT GUIDELINES THAT
ENSURE THAT THE POLYGRAPH SUBJECT UNDERSTANDS THE NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE
INTERVIEW, THE, ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED, THE EXACT QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED, AND
THE SUBJECT'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IN ALL OF THIS. ALL PROSPECTIVE POLYGRAPH
INTERVIEWEES ARE PROTECTED BY AGENCY POLICY THAT REQUIRES THE SUBJECT'S CONSENT
IN WRITING, THAT REQUIRES STRICT LIMITS ON DISSEMINATION OF POLYGRAPH-DERIVED
INFORMATION AND THAT PROHIBITS POLYGRAPH TESTING WHEN IT APPEARS THAT SUCH
TESTING MIGHT AGGRAVATE PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.
THE AGENCY'S POLYGRAPH PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THOSE PERSONNEL SECURITY
FACTORS WHICH, OVER TIME, HAVE EMERGED AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IN TERMS OF
THE THREAT TO AGENCY PERSONNEL, AGENCY FACILITIES, AND AGENCY CLASSIFIED
INFORMATION. THE SCOPE OF TESTING CAN VARY FROM FULL COVERAGE OF BOTH
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND LIFESTYLE ISSUES, TO COUNTERINTELLIGENCE COVERAGE
ONLY, OR TO SPECIFIC-ISSUE TESTING ON INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM AREAS OR ALLEGATIONS.
BY COUNTERINTELLIGENCE TESTING, I AM REFERRING TO COVERAGE OF SUCH ISSUES AS
FOREIGN CONTACTS, FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES, AND MISUSE OR REVELATION
OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. BY LIFESTYLE TESTING, I AM REFERRING TO COVERAGE
OF SUCH ISSUES AS CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, DRUG ABUSE, DISHONESTY AND EXTREME
FINANCIAL VULNERABILITY.
BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY NEW TESTING FORMAT, THE QUESTIONS TO
BE USED ARE APPROVED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE. EXAMINERS
ARE INSTRUCTED ON, AND MUST BE COMPLETELY FAMILIAR WITH, THE TRUE INTENT AND
MEANING OF THE QUESTIONS FOR EACH TYPE OF CASE. EXAMINERS MAST BE FULLY
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AWARE OF WHICH TOPICS MAY OR MAY NOT BE PURSUED IF THEY SHOULD CONE UP
DURING THE INTERVIEWS. UNIFORMITY OF PROCEDURE AND COVERAGE IS CRITICAL
TO THE AGENCY'S POLYGRAPH PROGRAM, BOTH IN TERMS OF EQUITABLE TREATMENT
OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND PROPER FOCUS ON LEGITIMATE-AREAS OF SECURITY INTEREST.
BEFORE ADDRESSING SOME OF THE CRITICISMS LEVELED AT THE POLYGRAPH,
I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THAT THE POLYGRAPH IS SEEN BY US AS ESSENTIAL TO
DETERMINING THE SECURITY SUITABILITY OF AGENCY APPLICAPITS AND EMPLOYEES.
THE GRANTING OF A CLEARANCE OR A SECURITY APPROVAL BY THE AGENCY REQUIRES
A TOTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL AS A WHOLE PERSON. IT HAS BEEN THE
AGENCY'S EXPERIENCE THAT THERE IS NO PERSONNEL SECURITY TOOL AS EFFECTIVE
AS THE POLYGRAPH IN DEVELOPING THIS CLEAR, COMPLETE PICTURE.
THE POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUE IS A VERY RELIABLE PROCEDURE. ON A
SCALE OF 100, IT WOULD BE RATED IN THE MID TO HIGH 90'S. IN OTHER WORDS,
THE RESULTS OF POLYGRAPH TESTING SHOW GREAT CONSISTENCY WITH THE SANE EXAMINER
OVER SEVERAL TESTINGS OR GREAT CONSISTENCY FROM EXAMINER TO EXAMINER WITH
THE SANE SUBJECT.
THE MATTER OF POLYGRAPH'S VALIDITY IS CONSIDERABLY MORE COMPLEX.
FIRST, TO DEFINE THE TERM "VALIDITY" IT MIGHT BE BEST TO DEFINE IT WITH A
QUESTION: IS THE POLYGRAPH TESTING FOR AND DETECTING DECEPTION AND NOTHING
OTHER THAN DECEPTION? THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT VALIDITY STUDIES ARE TRYING
TO DEAL WITH. BUT THIS AREA DEFIES SIMPLISTIC ANSWERS FOR SEVERAL REASONS:
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FIRSL POLYGRAPHY IN PRACTICE IS CONSIDERABLY IDRE SOPHISTICATED
THAN IS RECOGNIZED BY THE MAJORITY OF CRITICS. THOSE OUTSIDE THE FIELD,
NOT SCHOOLED IN ITS METHODOLOGY, OFTEN PRESUME THAT IT IS A SIMPLE MECHANICAL
PROCEDURE RATHER THAN A HIGHLY TECHNICAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY. THIS
MISCONCEPTION HAS BEEN COMPOUNDED BY THE MEDIA. AS AN ANALOGY, HIGH
READINGS ON BLOOD PRESSURE MACHINES, NOW FOUND IN SHOPPING MALLS, ARE
NOT PROOF OF A DISEASE. IT TAKES A PHYSICIAN TO ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE
ILLNESS.
SECONDJ THE LABORATORY STUDIES OF THE POLYGRAPH TEND TO ADDRESS
ONLY CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE POLYGRAPH PROCESS. THUS, BROAD GENERALIZATIONS
FROM THESE STUDIES QUITE NATURALLY INVITE CONTROVERSY. MOREOVER, LABORATORY
SETTINGS, WHERE POLYGRAPH RESEARCH IS DONE, LACK THE MOST CRITICAL ELEMENT
OF A REALISTIC POLYGRAPHIC SITUATION AND THAT IS THE REAL-LIFE FEAR OF
DETECTION THAT IS PRESENT WHEN A SUBJECT ATTEMPTS TO DECEIVE THE POLYGRAPH
EXAMINER ABOUT A MATTER OF IMPORTANCE TO THE SUBJECT.
THIRD POLYGRAPH TESTING TAKES SEVERAL DIFFERENT FORMS SUCH AS
SINGLE-ISSUE TESTING BY, SAY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES; EMPLOYEE SCREENING
BY PRIVATE INDUSTRY; AND SPECIALIZED TESTING AS PRACTICED BY VARIOUS
FEDERAL AGENCIES. ANY GENERALIZATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF THE POLYGRAPH
IN ANY ONE OF THESE FORMS WILL NOT APPLY TO ALL FORMS OF POLYGRAPHY.
FOURhI, MANY DISCUSSIONS OF POLYGRAPHY APPEAR TO TAKE PLACE IN AN
EMOTIONALLY-CHARGED ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH PARTICIPANTS FREQUENTLY SUPPORT A
PRE-DETERMINED VIEWPOINT.
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I WOULD PREFER HERE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE AGENCY'S EXPERIENCE WITH
THE POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW AND CONCENTRATE ON ITS UTILITY AS A SECURITY TOOL.
I AM REFLECTING HERE ON THE AGENCY'S HISTORY WITH THE POLYGRAPH WHICH COVERS
36 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. I CAN STATE WITHOUT RESERVATION THAT THE. POLYGRAPH
IS THE MOST. PRODUCTIVE AND VALUABLE TECHNIQUE IN THE AGENCY'S PERSONNEL
SECURITY ARENA. THE POLYGRAPH IS NOT INFALLIBLE AND IT IS NOT A PANACEA.
BUT I ASK YOU TO CONSIDER ITS UTILITY AS REFLECTED IN THE FOLLOWING:
IN 19M, THE POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION
NOT SURFACED BY OTHER SCREENING TECHNIQUES IN:
70 PERCENT OF THE ENTRANCE-ON-DUTY CASES.
25 PERCENT OF THE PROBATIONARY CASES.
? 31 PERCENT OF THE REINVESTIGATION CASES, AND
? 43 PERCENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL CASES.
BEAR IN MIND THAT THESE STATISTICS REPRESENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW
INFORMATION OF SECURITY SIGNIFICANCE, NOT NECESSARILY CLEARANCE DENIAL
NOR CLEARANCE REVOCATION.
As ANOTHER PIECE OF EVIDENCE, LET MET COMMENT ON A PERSONNEL SECURITY
STUDY DONE IN 1980 BY THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE SECURITY COMMITTEE.
THE STUDY INVOLVED 507 SECURITY CLEARANCE CASES COMPLETED OVER A FOUR-MONTH
PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 1979 TO FEBRUARY 1980. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY OF THESE
CASES DID NOT INVOLVE THE POLYGRAPH: 327 CASES DID INVOLVE THE POLYGRAPH.
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IN THE 180 CASES IN WHICH THE POLYGRAPH WAS NOT USED, SECURITY RELEVANT
INFORMATION WAS FOUND IN 37, OR 20.5 PERCENT OF THE CASES. IN THE 327 CASES
IN WHICH THE POLYGRAPH WAS USED, SECURITY RELEVANT INFORMATION WAS FOUND IN
199, OR 60.8 PERCENT.OF THE CASES. THE DIFFERENCE IS DRAMATIC AND.. TO
MY MIND, STRONG TESTIMONY TO THE POLYGRAPH'S EFFECTIVENESS IN SECURITY
SCREENING PROGRAMS.
OVER RECENT YEARS THE VAST MAJORITY OF CIA SECURITY DISAPPROVALS
HAVE RESULTED FROM POLYGRAPH-DERIVED INFORMATION. WITHOUT THE POLYGRAPH,
HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT MEET SECURITY STANDARDS WOULD HAVE BEEN
GIVEN ACCESS TO THE NATION'S MOST SENSITIVE SECRETS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE ABOUT CIA SECURITY DISAPPROVAL CASES
IS THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM ARE BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE
INDIVIDUAL DURING THE COURSE OF THE POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW. IT IS ALMOST
INVARIABLY THE INFORMATION FROM THE SUBJECT THAT LEADS TO THE SECURITY
DISAPPROVALS AND NOT THE TRACINGS ON THE POLYGRAPH CHARTS.
OUR STATISTICS INDICATE ONLY 2.5 PERCENT OF ALL CIA POLYGRAPH CASES
INVOLVE "CALLED DECEPTION" WITHOUT ANY CORROBORATING ADMISSIONS BY THE
SUBJECT.
THE AGENCY'S. POLYGRAPH PROGRAM HAS BEEN CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO
ENSURE AN EQUITABLE BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED OF THE AGENCY TO OBTAIN
AND VERIFY INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION AND THE NEED TO ASSURE PROTECTION
TO THE INDIVIDUAL.
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THE AGENCY DOES NOT POLYGRAPH U. S. PERSONS WITHOUT THEIR WRITTEN
CONSENT, EACH INDIVIDUAL MUST SIGN A CONSENT FORM BEFORE THE POLYGRAPH TEST
IS ADMINISTERED. THIS CONSENT FORM ENSURES THAT:
THE'INDIVIDUAL KNOWS OF HIS OR HER RIGHTS AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION
UNDER THE FIFTH AMENDMENT.
? THE INDIVIDUAL KNOWS THAT INFORMATION RELATED TO NATIONAL SECURITY
OR TO VIOLATIONS OF LAW MAY BE REPORTED TO APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES.
THE INDIVIDUAL KNOWS THAT THE POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW MAY BE MONITORED
AND/OR RECORDED TO ENSURE ACCURACY AND COMPLIANCE WITH THESE
SAFEGUARDS.
CAREFULLY DELINEATED PROCEDI.RES ALSO ENSURE THAT THE QUESTIONS TO
BE ASKED DURING THE EXAMINATION ARE LIMITED TO THOSE NECESSARY TO RESOLVE
SECURITY ISSUES. NO QUESTIONS ARE ASKED WHICH DO NOT HAVE SECURITY
IMPLICATIONS. EACH OF THE QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED IS REVIEWED WITH THE
SUBJECT PRIOR TO THE EXAMINATION, THE INDIVIDUAL IS AFFORDED AN
OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE KNOWN IN ADVANCE ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION THAT MIGHT
AFFECT HIS OR HER ANSWER TO THE QUESTION. THE INDIVIDUAL, OF COURSE, MAY
TERMINATE THE POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW AT ANY TIME.
WHEN A POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW RESULTS IN EVIDENCE OF SERIOUS SECURITY,
COUNTERINTELLIGENCE OR LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCERN, THIS INFORMATION IS STRICTLY
CONTROLLED ACCORDING TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND IS RELEASED ONLY WITH THE
APPROVAL IN WRITING OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE.
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(DER EXECUTIVE ORDER 12333, EVIDENCE OF SERIOUS FEDERAL CRIMES SUCH
AS ESPIONAGE, TREASON OR PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSINATION IS REPORTED TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
POLYGRAPH INFORMATION IS ALSO RELEASED IN A LIMITED AND CONTROLLED
FASHION IN THE COURSE OF NATIONAL AGENCY CHECKS PERFORMED PURSUANT TO
EXECUTIVE ORDER 10450. OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES WITH NATIONAL SECURITY
RESPONSIBILITIES MAY RUN SECURITY CHECKS ON ONE OF THEIR APPLICANTS AND
ASK THE AGENCY WHETHER WE HAVE INFORMATION ON THAT INDIVIDUAL. IN THE
EVENT THAT WE HAVE POLYGRAPHED THIS PERSON, WE tAM VICATE THE RESULTS
OF THE INTERVIEW FOR LEAD PURPOSES IF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL
INTELLIGENCE BELIEVES THIS INFORMATION IS APPROPRIATE TO PASS IN THE
INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY.
THE STATISTICS CITED EARLIER SPEAK CONVINCINGLY FOR THE UTILITY
OF THE POLYGRAPH PROCESS. I CERTAINLY HAVE NO ARGUMENT WITH THOSE WHO
WISH TO SEE MORE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON POLYGRAPH, BUT I DO HAVE GREAT
DIFFICULTY WITH THOSE WHO CONCLUDE THAT THIS PROCESS DOES NOT WORK OR
THAT IT IS TOO LITTLE UNDERSTOOD TODAY EVEN TO BE USED.
IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE OUR USE AND EXPERIENCE WITH
THE POLYGRAPH OVER THE PAST THREE-AND-A-HALF DECADES. WE HAVE FOUND
THAT WITH CAREFULLY-CHOSEN EXAMINERS AND A THOUGHTFULLY-STRUCTURED AND
TIGHTLY-CONTROLLED PROGRAM, THE POLYGRAPH IS AN EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE
TOOL IN PROTECTING THE AGENCY FROM UNSUITABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD
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CLEARLY POSE AN UNACCEPTABLE SECURITY RISK. AT THE SAME TINE, THE
POLYGRAPH HAS BEEN VERY USEFUL IN REINVESTIGATION EFFORTS BY DETECTING
A SMALL NUMBER OF AGENCY EMPLOYEES WHO BECAME SECURITY RISKS AFTER
ENTERING ON DUTY. FINALLY, THE POLYGRAPH HAS EXONERATED SOME AGENCY
EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ALLEGED TO HAVE COIWr1ITTED SOME SORT OF WRONGDOING.
I HOPE THAT MY REMARKS WILL, BE USEFUL TO YOU DURING YOUR
DELIBERATIONS.
THANK YOU.
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