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Dear Editor,
The American Polygraph Association (APA) applauds the decision by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to apply background checks to seaport workers. However, while this is an important step, it does not go far enough. Unfortunately, the kind of person who would take a port job to further terrorist goals may have little, if any, relevant background to investigate. Even the most stringent background check may fail to reveal unknown motives for terrorist acts by a person with no criminal history.
As the leading professional organization representing 3,200 polygraph examiners worldwide, the APA feels the need to point out an added dimension of security can be gained by conducting polygraph examinations. Polygraph could be used to ensure that the motives of potential port personnel are not to disrupt or destroy our port operations or endanger our citizens. Polygraphs allow probing questions that may reveal ulterior reasons for seeking port employment by a terrorist regardless of citizenship status or the presence or absence of indications of links to terrorist groups. The Department of Defense, Department of Justice, FBI, ICE, and all of our intelligence agencies routinely conduct polygraph examinations as part of the hiring process. The use of polygraph as part of a multi-faceted background investigation is a cost-effective and a proven method of protecting the public from a potential terrorist. Polygraph, in conjunction with thorough background investigations could prevent a terrorist attempt to gain access to our ports. Many of our security agencies are using contract polygraph examiners to conduct pre-employment polygraph examinations of applicants to sensitive positions. There is no reason it could not be employed in this effort as well.
T.V. O'Malley
President, American Polygraph Association
