OF&A :: Polygraph Identifies Suspect

Polygraph Identifies Suspect

POLYGRAPH IDENTIFIES SUSPECT

	The polygraph is used with considerable success by law enforcement and intelligence agencies worldwide, and forms an integral part of many investigations. In a recent case, OF&A was called in to conduct a polygraph examination on two guards who had been on duty during an armed bank robbery during which thousands of Rands were stolen.
Following closer inspection, and through the results of the polygraph test, it transpired that the two security guards were involved in the robbery.

Irregularities


	Before conducting the polygraph test, OF&A did a routine investigation and found a number of irregularities, such as the security guards not using the panic buttons - a required action in an instance such as this
*Physiological responses indicate discrepancies.*

During the polygraph examination on the first guard, physiological responses to certain questions regarding his involvement or knowledge on the robbery were deceptive. The subject was questioned about the results of the test. The guard admitted that several men had approached him on the day of the robbery and asked probing questions regarding the bank. During the pre-test interview with the second guard, it was discovered that he had a criminal record and had previously served time in jail. Again, the polygraph test showed that answers to robbery-related questions were deceptive.

Interrogation leads to truth

The discrepancies led to OF&A conducting a formal interrogation. The second guard then also confessed that he had been approached to assist in the robbery.

Andrew Fourie, Chief Polygraphist of OF&A concludes, "He claimed that he and his family were threatened if he did not co-operate. However, it was later discovered that he had received financial reward from the robbers following the incident."