Customer Reviews

Gatekeeper: Memoirs of a CIA Polygraph Examiner

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To say that I'm a skeptic of the accuracy of polygraph would be a gross understatement. I've read the research on polygraph or "lie detector" accuracy for about 30 years. My conclusion is in agreement with David Lykken's (1998) outstanding critical review of this literature in, "A Tremor in the Blood: Uses and abuses of the lie detector," as well as the conclusion of a thorough investigation by the National Academy of Sciences. Lykken, the Academy, and I agree that there is no credibile evidence for polygraph accuracy that stands up to scientific scutiny .

There is, of course, substantional anecedotal evidence, supplied by those who make their living administering the exam, and which these folks almost univerally claim counts as evidence for polygraph accuracy. It is evidence, of a sort, but very weak, in fact, essentially worthless evidence. It simply ain't science.

What a skilled polygrapher can sometimes do is use the machine as a prop, an aid to help elicit a confession. Mr. Sullivan's is the first book I've read by a polygrapher that acknowledges this latter point, at least implicitly. He also directly confronts some of the enormous damage that reliance on polygraph has caused - e.g., the Alrich Ames debacle. Ames was the CIA agent who sold millions of dollars of information to the Sovets, causing many moles (Soviet agents who were working for us) to lose their lives. Ames was ignored as a source of the leaks for about six years because he passed a series of polygraph exams.

Sullivan also provides fascinating insights into the CIA and FBA cultures vis a vis the polygraph, including the impact of the Ames case.

Although clearly pro-polygraph, Mr. Sullivan is not blindly so. His candor is often impressive. Unlike other books written by polygraphers, he appears to be less concerned with preaching pro-polygraph propaganda and more concerned with presenting a professional and balanced treatment. For me, his approach adds much to his credibility. The book is well written and I have no hesitation recommending it - although I recommend reading Lykken's brilliant book first.

John Sullivan presents an insider's view of the utility of the polygraph and the applications where it is valid and where it is not. This is an art and not a science and false positives are common in the hands of intimidating operators. The writing style is a bit stiff and too detailed about CIA polygraphers and security officials but the overall work is a contribution to the literature of a topic that is often misunderstood.

This is good background for people seeking employment where a full polygraph is required.

Author John Sullivan was a polygraph examiner for over thirty years, conducting more such tests than anyone in the history of the CIA's program. What makes his story exceptional is his explanations of how lie detectors are used to identify unsuitable applicants, possible foreign agents, and others guilty of misconduct from harming the Agency. His methods, the psychology behind polygraph testing and results, and the tests which enabled Sullivan to uncover double agents, applicants with criminal backgrounds, and more makes for exciting case histories and also offers military libraries insights into the CIA's internal workings and quality control measures. An intriguing, unusual survey which moves beyond 'memoir' status to examine the foundations of CIA quality and strengths.

I have a 20 year background in the professional academic, corporate security and law enforcement communities. I am not formally trained in polygraph. I am trained and have used the Reid Technique with much success. I enjoyed Sullivan's book both from both a historical and a professional perspective. I recommend it to anyone in the academic, corporate security or law enforcement communities with an interest in interview and interrogation.

I came into this book utterly certain that polygraphs are junk science. The author admits they are art, not science. Just like therapy, an ignorant or insensitive therapist or polygraph examiner can make the tool worthless. I learned that most people believe they are credible liars even when they aren't. I learned that most people, even polygraph examiners, believe they can "tell" when they are being lied to and they are wrong much of the time. I learned that a FEW people can be trained to "beat" a polygraph; most cannot. Polygraphs detect only when you know in your heart you are lying. If you have justified your actions to yourself and feel no guilt, you won't react in a way that can be detected. Hanssen for example, was never polygraphed, and may not have been detectable because he was so self-righteous and sanctimonious. But who knows.

If I'm ever ordered to take a polygraph or else, I'll be asking a lot of questions about the competence of the examiner, who else reviews the video -- and it had better be videoed -- and who I file a report with when I judge that the examiner is an incompetent bully out to get me.

Great book, even when I skimmed some of the internal politics minutiae that I personally found tedious.

John Sullivan was one of the best (if not the best) polygraph examiners around. This book will not make you a believer in the possibility of lie detection by a machine, but it will make you believe that a skilled investigator can discern the truth through dialogue, analysis, reading people, and listening. Anyone who wants to understand this facet of counterintelligence could not do better than to read this thoughtful and insightful work.

This is mostly an "inside baseball" story of the politics of the polygraph exam section of the CIA. The author is well qualified by personal experience as a senior examiner to provide this account.

I believe that the book will be of interest mostly to readers with a personal stake in the process. It is not a general review of polygraph testing.

John F. Sullivan has produced an excellent discourse on the Polygraph and the CIA. He is the most experienced polygrapher ever produced in modern "Lie Detection" and readers of this book will certainly get an eyefull!

Police officers, prosecutors and just about anyone involved in the criminal justice system should read this book.

Also, check out OF SPIES AND LIES by Mr. Sullivan.

The book is well written and well describes the chaos in the US intelligence community. The hilarity of the CIA's affirmative action/diversity is worth the price of the book.

(of course anyone who volunteers

to take a poly test should first consult a lawyer----or a neurologist.)

All in all I quite enjoyed the book. As the name suggests it is about John's personal memoirs (people and events). The book is presented in a pretty objective way. Not sure I have made my mind up completely about Polygraph but after reading this book I would summarize by saying it is a powerful tool in the right hands.