by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Mention the word “polygraph” and the typical image is of someone connected to a machine with wires scribbling lines on paper in response to questions being asked in a small, dimly lit room.
The image adds to the drama of movies, but should be subtracted from current scene.
U.S. Secret Service special agents explained the “Role of polygraph examinations” Thursday at the October meeting of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
Since the mid-1990s, the polygraph has moved from analog to digital technology with the help of computers.
“Some still say the analog equipment is more accurate,” said Craig Hutzell, Secret Service Polygraph Program manager.
“But computers allow us to better focus on responses to single questions. It heightens the accuracy of the instrument itself,” he said.
David Reeves, immediate past president of the local Federal Bar chapter, was interested to see a polygraph demonstration.
“A lot of us in the Jacksonville area work in the civil arena, so we don’t have a lot of contact with this equipment,” said Reeves.
Special Agent Jeff Rohrer provided the presentation on the role of the polygraph in the Secret Service.
The Secret Service Division was created July 5, 1865, in Washington, D.C., to suppress counterfeit currency. Its duties today include criminal investigations and the protection of national and visiting foreign leaders.
The Secret Service jurisdiction has grown to include any issue that could damage the integrity of the nation’s financial systems. The jurisdiction includes investigation of financial institution fraud, access device fraud, computer crimes, fraudulent government and commercial securities, fictitious financial instruments, telecommunications fraud, false identification and identity theft.
“We have two purposes to protect and investigate, and the polygraph is a tool that we use in investigations, not in place of investigation,” said Rohrer.
“We still need agents investigating and collecting evidence and pursuing every lead to help bring them to a point in the case where the answer is between two choices, then polygraph is a great tool to help determine the right answer,” he said.
Rohrer explained that, as a special agent, his goal is to “make the victim whole again” and find the truth of the matter, regardless whether it helps the defense or the prosecution.
The polygraph is one of the tools that can be used to help reach that end.
“In a case where a child claims that someone has touched them inappropriately, I’ve been involved in cases where the polygraph has helped clear someone that was wrongfully accused,” said Rohrer.
“In other cases, I’ve seen where it has convicted someone that might not have been initially identified.”
As part of the 1994 Crime Bill, Congress mandated the U.S. Secret Service to provide forensic and technical assistance in matters involving missing and exploited children. The Secret Service offers the assistance to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
This assistance includes experts trained to use the polygraph, which monitors breathing patterns, heart rate and blood flow and the sweat glands in the fingers to check for any changes or “disharmony in a person’s body.”
“Simply put, if you do not provide an accurate answer to a question, your body will respond,” said Rohrer. “We are trained to detect those responses.”
The presentation included a live demonstration with the help of Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Board member Michael Fackler. Rohrer didn’t ask any questions that would cause Fackler to reveal too much, but one question was tough for the University of Alabama fan.
“Did you cry when South Carolina beat Alabama?” asked Rohrer.
“No,” said Fackler.
“Good answer,” said Rohrer, as he looked up on the screen to review Fackler’s levels.
356-2466