Aisenberg Polygraph
Every9man
I find it interesting that Richard Keifer, now president of the American
Polygraph Association and former FBI polygapher, based in
Orlando, said "inconclusive results don't contradict Rackleff's."
And I find it interesting that even opponents of the polygraph still admit to
90% reliablity.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Barbara
9/9/99 -- 8:01 PM
Polygraph helps Aisenberg image
DARLENE McCORMICK of The Tampa Tribune
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TAMPA - A polygraph examination that helped a couple's public image
appears to be valid, say those in the field.
The polygraph has been called more art than science, and its results
aren't allowed in most courtrooms.
But Barry Cohen, the attorney representing the parents of baby Sabrina
Aisenberg, didn't hesitate to mold public opinion with one.
Since news was released last week that Steve and Marlene Aisenberg
passed the private exam, the parents have been on a media blitz,
appearing on such shows as ``Today'' on NBC and ``InterNight'' on MSNBC.
On ``Dateline'' on NBC Wednesday night, Steve Aisenberg acknowledged
that investigators treated them like the prime supsects and they never
dreamed they would be in that situation.
Marlene Aisenberg expained her demeanor at the outset of the case,
saying she was in shock. She said that during the very first videotaped
plea for the return of Sabrina, she broke down, but the outburst never
made it on camera.
The couple reported Sabrina missing from her crib on Nov. 24.
The national publicity generated 60 new leads by Wednesday afternoon,
sheriff's officials said.
Cohen arranged for the Aisenbergs to take a private lie detector test to
counter what he says is unfair suspicion cast on his clients by the
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
In a tough letter to authorities, Cohen accused deputies of leaking the
results of previous polygraph examinations. Marlene Aisenberg said on
national television that both tests given to her by authorities were
inconclusive.
The polygraph has played key roles in high-profile cases such as Susan
Smith, who drowned her two sons, and Richard Jewell, who was cleared of
the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park bombing. But can polygraph results
be trusted?
For Richard Rackleff, the answer is yes. Rackleff, the polygraph
examiner who helped clear Jewell, tested Steve and Marlene Aisenberg and
says they weren't involved in the disappearance.
Rackleff, a former FBI polygraph examiner who makes $1,000 per day plus
expenses, said he doesn't aim for certain results to please his clients.
The Aisenbergs were interviewed about six hours each before being tested
last month.
The variations in test questions for the parents, the lengthy pretest
interviews and the time lapse between testing the Aisenbergs are all
acceptable practices, he said.
Richard Keifer and Jack Mehl are both retired FBI polygraph examiners
who know Rackleff and Herbert Metzgar, the sheriff's polygraph examiner.
Both are well respected, they said.
Keifer, now president of the American Polygraph Association based in
Orlando, said inconclusive results don't contradict Rackleff's.
Inconclusive doesn't mean deceptive, he said. The parents of missing
children are the most difficult to test right after the event because of
the emotions surrounding the situation, Keifer added.
Nothing in the test appeared unusual, including its length, he said.
While some of Rackleff's questions might have left some wiggle room,
it's unlikely the parents could have beaten the entire test, he added.
``I don't think either one of them would be able to rationalize their
way out of their tests,'' Keifer said.
Another longtime professional agrees.
Mehl has given polygraph examinations for more than 20 years. He
conducts tests for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office while heading the
law enforcement programs at Pasco-Hernando Community College.
Mehl said long interviews aren't unusual. The examiner who conducted
Susan Smith's test did three days of interviews with her and ended up
getting a confession, he said.
But Mehl said the Aisenbergs had nothing to lose with a private test. If
they failed, the results could have been kept secret. ``So it takes a
lot of pressure off the person,'' Mehl said.
Polygraph test results are rarely admitted in Florida courts. In some
states and in federal courts here, they are allowed in limited
situations.
And they aren't always reliable.
Mehl says the results of the polygraph depend on the examiner and
equipment. If both are good, then the polygraph's results are about 90
percent accurate.
But he also cautioned people from using polygraph results as a
definitive answer on guilt or innocence.