Read About Real Cases Solved by the CVSA^®
(Note - The following are actual cases and were submitted by the detectives involved)

LOUISIANA, BUNKIE P.D. – AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING AND ATTEMPTED MOLESTATION – Det./CVSA Analyst Chad Jeansonne reports that after responding to an attempted kidnapping, they found a highly emotional family that had just found their missing two-year-old in the home of a nineteen-year-old neighbor.  A search of the subjects home revealed numerous articles of pornography. 

The subject was then taken to Police Headquarters and interviewed.  He maintained his innocence and adamantly stated that he was unaware that the child was in the home.  Because there was no evidence that proved otherwise, he was offered a CVSA examination to clear himself.  Following the CVSA, the subject was shown the charts which clearly indicated that he both knew the little girl was in the house and that he had touched her in a sexual manner.  According to Det. Jeansonne, the subject then dropped his head and admitted that he had brought the child into the house.  However, he steadfastly maintained that he did not touch the little girl in a sexual manner.  After utilizing additional DBR techniques taught in the NITV’s Certified Examiners Course, the subject admitted that he had touched the little girl in a sexual manner and that the CVSA had been correct in its finding.  The suspect was then arrested for aggravated kidnapping and attempted molestation.

New York, Otsego Co. Sheriff’s Office – Senior Investigator Michael Ten Eyck reports that an individual, Shane Finch, had been accused of molesting two young girls.  Finch denied sexually abusing the victims.  Finch then agreed to take a lie detection test using the Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) and was brought to the OCSO by his mother.  During the post-CVSA interview of Finch where he was confronted with his CVSA charts showing deception on the relevant questions, he admitted to knowingly molesting both girls.  Finch now faces up to 14 years in prison.

Alabama, Marshall County Sheriff's Office - COLD CASE SOLVED - Investigators with the Marshall County, Alabama Sheriff's Office had been investigating a murder that occurred on October 23, 2009. After more than a year, very few solid investigative leads had been developed for the case, which went “cold.”  On November 9, 2010 a wife volunteered that her husband told her that he was present when the victim was killed.  The husband had not been previously associated with the murder and was not considered a suspect.  In short order, investigators with the Guntersville, Alabama Police Department picked up the man for questioning as a witness to the murder.  It was soon determined that the witness may not be telling the truth, and Investigator Keith Wilson, a Certified CVSA Examiner, was contacted and the “witness” was offered a CVSA examination to verify the information he provided.  Based upon the results of the CVSA examination it was soon determined that the “witness” was actually involved in the murder.  At the conclusion of the CVSA examination, the suspect was interviewed and confessed to the murder.  The suspect’s confession lead investigators to the suspect’s DNA being found in the evidence collected from the crime scene.  According to Investigator Keith Wilson, the results of the CVSA examination were crucial to solving this case and obtaining a valid confession from the suspect.  This case is currently pending trial.

Louisiana, Bunkie P.D. – Chief of Detectives/CVSA Analyst Chad Jeansonne was contacted by the local District Attorney’s Office and requested that he conduct a CVSA exam on a 27 year-old man that had been arrested for raping his son.  The subject had convinced his family, defense attorney and many on the prosecutor’s staff that he was being wrongly accused.  There was no physical evidence and the subject was about to be released on a judicial order.  Chief Jeansonne conducted the CVSA exam and the subject displayed deception when asked if he raped his son.  The subject was confronted with the results and he subsequently gave a full confession, astounding both the prosecutors as well as the defense.  Chief Jeansonne states that without the CVSA, the subject would have been released and continued to prey upon children.  Chief Jeansonne reports that his department continues to rely on the CVSA for both criminal cases as well as pre-employment screening and have found it to be extremely accurate in identifying the deceptive and exonerating the innocent. 

Pennsylvania, Westmoreland Co. District Attorneys' Office – Analyst Ray Dupilka reports that when the Latrobe Police Department responded to a report of an unresponsive man in an apartment, they found the body of Mr. Bradley Holnaider, who had apparently been murdered by strangulation.  Following a preliminary investigation, Detective Ray Dupilka was joined by detectives from the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Detective Bureau.  After collecting evidence and reviewing the autopsy results, the detectives developed several individuals of interest.  One individual of interest, Jay Baird, raised suspicion during his initial interview, and was asked by police to come in to be re-interviewed.  During the interview, detectives confronted Baird with both the evidence they had gathered and the inconsistencies in his statements.  Baird maintained his innocence and asked, “What can I do to make you believe me?”  Detective Dupilka requested that he take a CVSA examination... To read more Click Here

Utah, West Valley City P.D. – Analyst/Det. Steve O’Camb reports that the upscale community was shocked when a woman was found brutally murdered in her home near Salt Lake City.  There were no suspects, no motive, and police were left to screening those with access to the home.  One such person was seen on a TV news program consoling and shaking hands with the victims husband.  The individual turned out to be an 18 year-old next-door neighbor.  He was not considered a suspect but because he lived in close proximity to the victim’s house, he was asked to take a CVSA exam.  In Det. O’Camb’s opinion, the charts indicated that the subject was involved in the murder.  A ‘cold call’ of the charts was then requested.  Analyst/Det. Mike Fossmo conducted the ‘cold call’ and agreed with Det. O’Camb’s call.  After being shown the charts and questioned further, the subject finally admitted that he committed the murder.  He then led detectives to the murder weapon.

Florida, Citrus Co. Sheriff's Office  - Lt. David Wyllie reports that in the very first days of the Jessica Lunsford abduction and murder case, several very good suspects were developed, including her father.  Since Lt. Wyllie headed the Special Victims Unit at the time of Jessica’s disappearance, and was also a seasoned CVSA Examiner, he requested that two suspects take a CVSA examination. Read more here: The Jessica Lunsford Murder Case

California, Chula Vista P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Sgt. John Stires reports that during a therapy session, two sisters (12 years-old and 9 years-old) disclosed sexual abuse by a family member.  Chula Vista Police detectives were notified...Read more here: California Judge Orders Admission of CVSA and Confession

Pennsylvania, Carbondale City P.D. - Analyst/Det. Tom Mackrell reports that from 2004 thru 2008 a series of arsons plagued the Lackawanna County area of N.E. Pennsylvania.  Neither local nor State Police investigators were able to develop any pattern or leads as to who may have been involved in setting the fires...Read more here: CVSA Solves $10 Million Arson Case

Kansas City, KS, Smithville P.D. – A Smithville man was charged with two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy by Clay County authorities... Read more here: CVSA Puts Child Molester in Jail

Florida, Daytona Beach P.D. – In April, 2001, 36 year-old Angela Coleman was found strangled to death in an abandoned house in Columbia, SC.  Her body had been set on fire in an apparent attempt to hide evidence of the crime.  Her killer was never caught...  Read more here: DNA and CVSA Combination Solves 7 Year-Old Murder

Ohio, Toledo P.D. - Analyst/Det. John Gast reports that a Toledo attorney and former city councilwoman who went missing on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, and was found the following Saturday just outside Atlanta (GA), recanted her story of being kidnapped... Read more here: CVSA Solves National Kidnapping Mystery

Alabama, Marshall Co. Sheriff's Dept. – The burglary of the home of the director of community corrections for Marshall County in which $40,000.00 in jewelry and property was stolen, was quickly solved by Marshall Co. Detective Keith Wilson.  The suspect was apprehended the night of the crime while in possession of some of the stolen property.  When questioned, the suspect maintained that he had found the pillowcase with the stolen property in it on the side of the road where he was walking.  Since Detective Wilson had just graduated from the six-day CVSA Certified Examiners Course hosted by the Birmingham P.D. the week prior to the crime, he offered the suspect a CVSA to clear his name.  This was to be Det. Wilson’s first exam. 

The suspect failed the exam and, as he was taught in the CVSA training course, Det. Wilson allowed the suspect to read and call his own charts.  The suspect agreed that according to the charts, he had failed the exam and that the CVSA clearly indicated that he had committed the burglary.   The suspect then confessed to the crime and admitted that he knew that the home belonged to director of community corrections.  The suspect then gave the information on where the rest of the stolen property was located and recovered.

Ohio, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Preble Co. -  Investigator/Analyst David Lindloff reports that an individual that lived with, and took care of his invalid mother was reported missing.  Although there was no evidence of foul play, relatives were suspicious of the missing man’s adopted sister and boyfriend who had recently moved back into the area.  They were asked to come in to talk with investigators and after an initial interview, they were asked to take a CVSA exam.  Both consented and both failed the exam concerning the disappearance.  After being confronted with the results, both confessed that they had murdered the missing person.

Missouri, Neosho P.D. - The body of little Rowan Ford was recovered in remote McDonald County, MO. Prior to the recovery of her body, the girl’s stepfather, David Speares, 25, and a friend, Chris Collings, 32, both agreed to take polygraph examinations conducted by the FBI.  Both of their polygraph examination results were evaluated by the FBI as ‘Inconclusive’... Read more here: CVSA  Breaks Murder of 9 year-old

New Jersey, Perth Amboy P.D. - Det./Analyst Killane reports that in a case decided June 7, 2007, the NJ Superior Court, Appellate Division, confirmed that the admission of a confession obtained utilizing the CVSA by the trial judge was correct.  Attorneys for the Appellant had argued that, among other things, the subject had “succumbed to a truth verification examination,” a test not shown to be scientifically reliable, which the police used to “overpower (him) by telling him that the test administered showed that he was untruthful,” thus causing him to confess.  The court stated that “The CVSA examination was used solely as an investigative tool by the police and the State made no attempt to admit the results at trial.  Defendant signed a consent form to take the CVSA examination and acknowledged that he understood the form.  Defendant was asked if he had any questions about the examination and he stated that he did not.  Additionally, the results were not fabricated, instead, they were administered by a trained and certified examiner (Det. Killane, Perth Amboy P.D.) who compared his conclusions with those of two other trained and certified examiners.  Thus, under the totality of the circumstances defendant’s decision to make the confessions following the CVSA examination was voluntary and not coerced.  Based on our review of the entire record, we perceive no sound basis to disturb the judge’s decision to admit defendant’s confessions.”

Florida, Orlando P.D.  - As featured on Court TV, a serial killer was on the loose in Orange Co. and both the Orange Co. Sheriff's Office and the Orlando P.D. were working the case. By the time the body of a third woman was discovered, detectives had developed a few suspects, but the top suspect was a man named Larry Powell. Detectives questioned Mr. Powell and during the questioning asked Mr. Powell to take a CVSA exam. Mr. Powell agreed and Det./Analyst Keith Dudley administered the exam. In spite of evidence that clearly implicated Mr. Powell, Det. Dudley determined that Mr. Powell was not the killer nor was he involved in the murders. Detectives began reexamining the case and developed another suspect, Fredrick Cox. After an intense investigation, Mr. Cox was arrested for the murder and was later convicted of all three murders. Cox received life in prison. Det. Dudley states that the CVSA was crucial in eliminating an innocent person from suspicion and saved detectives valuable time, allowing them to identify the murder and build a case against him.

Arkansas, Bryant P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Todd Crowson reports that during a trial, the judge asked that a polygraph examination be given to the defendant prior to his decision. After the Chief polygraph examiner for the Arkansas State Police refused to conduct a polygraph test on the defendant, a thirteen-year-old, on the grounds that he was too young, Det. Crowson agreed to conduct a CVSA exam. This was a court-ordered exam as the judge in the case, the defense attorney and the prosecutor all agreed to the exam. A thirteen-year-old boy was accused of forcing a seven year old to perform oral sex on him. The thirteen-year-old was given the CVSA and the charts were quite clear, he had committed the crime. After being shown the charts, the thirteen-year-old confessed that he had forced the seven-year-old to perform oral sex on him. Det. Crowson reports that the CVSA is now used by the Juvenile Court for truth verification examinations.

Wisconsin, Oak Creek P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Lt. John Edwards reports that after finding a woman and her son bludgeoned to death in their apartment, detectives developed a suspect. However, after considerable interviewing, the detectives began to doubt that the individual committed the crime. During the questioning, the subject refused to take a CVSA exam. After being placed in a cell to sleep for a period of time, the subject then agreed to take the CVSA. The charts were called deceptive by Lt. Edwards. Due to the seriousness of the charges, Lt. Edwards had several other analysts 'cold call' the charts and all agreed that they were deceptive. The subject was then confronted with the results of the CVSA as well as other information connecting him to the crime and he gave a full confession. Lt. Edwards states that the deceptive CVSA charts were critical in convincing detectives to pursue the confession.

Florida, Sunny Isles Beach P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Stephen Brenton reports that while attending an NITV Certified Examiners Course at the Broward Co. Sheriff’s Office in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Det. Brenton went into his station at the Sunny Isles Beach P.D. to do his homework (running charts) when a patrol officer called him from his cell phone.  The patrol officer had an individual stopped and the subject did not have identification.  The officer ran the name and DOB that the subject had given him on NCIC and there were no hits.  However, the patrol officer suspected that the subject had given him a false name and DOB.  The patrol officer asked if Det. Brenton could run the subject over the phone on the CVSA to confirm the information.  Det. Brenton placed the microphone from the CVSA next to the speaker phone, had the officer hand the cell phone to the subject, and preceeded to conduct an interview utilizing the name and DOB as the relevant questions in a structured format.  The results were that the subject displayed deception on both the name and DOB.  After being informed of this, the patrol officers conducted an interrogation in which the subject finally admitted that he had lied and gave the officers his real name and DOB.  The NCIC came back with a fugitive warrant for child molestation.  The subject was taken into custody.

New York, Peeksville P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Eric Johansen reports that a female was driving a car when she was shot in the back of the head and killed. The only witness was her boyfriend who was riding in the passenger's seat. When police arrived, the car had crashed into a tree and her boyfriend was attending to her. He was taken to HQ and stated that they had been chased by another car and that shots were fired but that he did not know who was in the other car. He agreed to take a CVSA exam and failed concerning knowing who was in the other car and who fired the shots. After some time, the boyfriend finally admitted that he knew all of the individuals in the other car and gave the names of the driver and the shooter. After another CVSA exam, he also provided the name of another witness. Without the CVSA, we would have been forced to waste additional valuable time investigating the shooting and it is likely that those responsible for the murder would have left town and avoided apprehension.

Alabama, Vestavia Hills P.D.  - Analyst/D/Lt. Rick Miller reports that the local sheriff's department. requested that he conduct a CVSA exam on a subject that they believed may have murdered his sister-in-law fourteen years ago in 1981. Over the years, the subject had taken 4 polygraphs from 3 different examiners, all of which had been inconclusive. The subject agreed to the CVSA exam and failed each of the 3 tests. After being shown the charts and informed of the results, the subject confessed to the murder. Following his confession, the subject took the detectives to the site where he buried his sister-in-law's body, providing the only direct evidence of his crime.

New York, Madison County Sheriff's Department  - Professor James Chapman, noted criminologist and CVSA examiner was summoned to the Sheriff's Department to assist with the interview of an individual that had been the main suspect in a 1981 murder. He had taken a polygraph which was inconclusive and, without other leads, the case grew cold. The same suspect was again requested to take a polygraph in the same case ten years later in 1991. This time the suspect passed the polygraph and was dropped as a suspect. In 1996, the investigator in the case requested that the same suspect take a CVSA exam from Professor Chapman. After reviewing his CVSA charts, which clearly showed that he was the killer, the suspect made admissions and provided written statements regarding his participation in the murder.

West Virginia, Raleigh County Sheriff's Office.  - Analyst D/Cpl. Jim Bare reports that the 14 month old homicide of a security guard at a local mine went unsolved with no suspects. Eventually three suspects were named and D/Cpl. Bare conducted CVSA exams on each and cleared them of involvement. Three additional suspects were developed and all were run on the polygraph in another jurisdiction. All three polygraphs were inconclusive. All three suspects were requested to submit to the CVSA and two of the three showed up for their exams. After the first individual was tested, the CVSA indicated that he was present when the homicide took place despite his insistence that he was not. After being shown the deceptive charts, the suspect confessed that he was there and his involvement in the homicide. The second suspect came in and admitted that he was a witness to the crime but did not participate. Following his CVSA exam it was clear that he was the shooter. He was then interrogated and finally confessed to shooting and killing the security guard. Without the CVSA, this case may never have been solved.

Florida, Cocoa P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Gordon Chase was assigned to review the 'cold' homicide cases at his department While reviewing the first case which involved the brutal murder of a young woman six years prior, Det. Chase noticed that both suspects had voluntarily taken and passed polygraph examinations and because of that, were no longer considered suspects. He also discovered that both had given sworn, tape recorded statements in which they had denied any involvement in the murder. Det. Chase analyzed the taped statements utilizing the CVSA and while he was able to clear one suspect, the other suspect displayed deception when she denied committing the murder. Det. Chase located the second suspect and requested that she come in for questioning. When she appeared for questioning, the suspect agreed to take a CVSA exam. The CVSA exam clearly indicated that she was the one that had killed the young woman six years earlier. After forty minutes of interrogation, the suspect admitted to the murder and also how she had disposed of the murder weapon.

Ohio, Fostoria P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Phil Kleman reports that as an analyst with another department, he was asked by the Fostoria P.D. to test an individual who was suspected of murder. The suspect had just taken a polygraph examination from an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations polygraph examiner who reported the results of the polygraph examination to be inconclusive bordering on truthful. The subject denied any involvement in or knowledge of the murder and agreed to take the CVSA, just as he had agreed to take the polygraph. The CVSA showed very clearly that the subject had committed the murder and when confronted with his deceptive charts, gave a full confession. The Fostoria P.D. has now purchased their own CVSA and trained several detectives as examiners.

New York, Livingston Co. Sheriff's Department - Analyst/D/Sgt. Marty Herkimer reports that he was asked by detectives at a nearby agency if he would be able to conduct an examination on an individual suspected of child molestation that utilized a "voice box" to speak with. The NITV advised D/Sgt Herkimer to conduct the exam and fax the charts in for review as to their viability. The suspect's charts clearly contained the basic components of the micro-tremor and deception was very evident. D/Sgt. Herkimer confronted the suspect with the deceptive charts and, after considerable interrogation, the suspect gave a full confession.

California, Roseville P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Charlie Veilleux reports that his first use of the CVSA following his graduation from the Certified Examiners Course conducted by the NITV was to reopen a five-year-old homicide that had been classified as a Cold Case. A young woman had been brutally murdered and a viable suspect was quickly developed. He denied any involvement and passed a polygraph exam and was dropped as a suspect. Since the subject had suffered an aneurysm and two brain surgeries in the five years since his last polygraph, another polygraph was not considered. The subject was offered a CVSA exam and agreed to take the test. The exam indicated that he was the killer and using the interrogation techniques taught by the NITV, detectives obtained a full confession with details that only the killer would know.

Florida, West Palm Beach P.D.  - During a Certified Examiners Course being hosted by the West Palm Beach P.D., a detective requested that he be shown how to conduct a covert interview as he was preparing to interview a woman concerning a car-jacking incident. The woman and her husband had reported that they had taken a Mercedes Benz out for a test drive and were approached by two men wearing ski masks at an intersection. They stated that the men forced them from the car, robbed them, and then drove off in the Mercedes. The detective conducted a covert (structured) interview, tape recorded it and returned to have it analyzed. The high level of background noise made it very difficult to analyze, however, the class agreed that from the woman's responses, she and her husband were not robbed and that the car had not been car-jacked by two men in ski masks. Unfortunately, because the covert CVSA charts were the only indication of a false crime (both subjects later refused to take a CVSA exam), no action could be taken. Several months later, the husband was stopped on a routine traffic violation and it was discovered that he was driving the Mercedes that he and his wife had reported stolen. The husband was arrested for auto theft and the wife was arrested for conspiracy. This case, including the charts and tape recording are now used in the NITV's Certified Examiners Course.

Ohio, Springfield Township.  - P.D. Analyst/Det. Pat Kemper reports that he recently was asked to conduct a CVSA examination on two parents and a baby-sitter concerning a six-month-old child that had been seriously abused. Both parents passed the CVSA, however, the babysitter's attorney arranged for her to take a polygraph examination. The polygraph examiner was a well-known polygraph examiner and a retired police officer. The babysitter passed the polygraph. However, the prosecutor in the case informed the defense attorney that they would require the babysitter to take the CVSA to receive any consideration. Following three deceptive charts, the babysitter admitted that she had caused the serious injuries to the baby. She plead guilty as charged and was sentenced to serve time in prison. Det. Kemper states that he has found many cases where the polygraph and CVSA have disagreed, all ending with the CVSA having the correct charts and the correct analysis.

Georgia, Glynn Co. P.D.  - Analyst/D/Cpl. J.W. Wiggins reports that patrol officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance with shots fired. Upon their arrival, officers were confronted with an apparently grieving husband who told them that during an argument that his wife had pulled out a pistol and shot herself in the head. The facts of the investigation indicated that the wife had probably shot herself, however, the investigating detectives requested that D/Cpl. Wiggins conduct a CVSA exam. The subject agreed and promptly failed the CVSA. The subject requested a second CVSA which he again failed. D/Cpl. Wiggins then began additional Defense Barrier Removal™ as taught by the NITV and the subject finally admitted that he had shot his wife and that the CVSA had been correct all along. D/Cpl. Wiggins states that “I believe that my use of the DBR™ and confronting the subject with his charts added greatly to the successful prosecution of this case.”

West Virginia, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department  - Analyst/Det. Ron Booker reports that an individual was brought into the station suspected of murdering his brother. Following an interview, Det. Booker states that he was convinced that, based upon his many years as an interviewer and the facts of the case, the subject was innocent. However, following four Deception Indicated (DI) charts utilizing the CVSA, he decided to fax the charts to the NITV for a ‘Cold Call’ as the subject was extremely convincing, consistent, and very well rehearsed. Without any details of the case, the NITV confirmed that the charts were deceptive. Det. Booker then interrogated the subject for three hours and the case ended with a full confession by the subject that he did, in fact, murder his brother. Det. Booker states that even though he has vast experience as an interrogator, he was fooled by this individual until the NITV and the CVSA saved him.

Missouri, Missouri Department of Public Safety - Arson Squad:  - Analyst/Deputy Chief James Wilson reports that the Tri-County Major Case Squad requested their assistance after a polygraph examiner refused to test an individual who claimed that he was a paranoid schizophrenic. The subject was suspected of a brutal murder and there was very little evidence to go on. One of the arson squad's CVSA examiners, Dwayne Lasiter, who had recently graduated from the Certified Examiners Course, conducted three exams on the suspect and he failed all three. After being confronted with the deceptive charts and informed of the results, the suspect confessed and gave the detectives information that only the killer could have known. After the examiner left the room to confer with the other detectives, the subject tore the patterns to question # 6 (Did You Kill Mary?) from each of the charts and ate them, all on video tape. The Missouri Department of Public Safety now has 52 CVSA's and 110 trained examiners.

Florida, Palm Bay P.D.  - Analyst/Det. David Fowler reports that he was recently contacted by Columbus, GA, Police 'Cold Case' detectives while they were interviewing a witness to a 14 year old homicide that was being held by the Palm Bay P.D. on unrelated charges. The subject was believed to have witnessed a murder that occurred 14 years ago and was the key alibi witness for the main suspect in the murder. After six hours of the subject maintaining her original story, the Columbus Police detectives requested that Det. Fowler conduct a CVSA exam on the witness to determine her truthfulness concerning her version of the story which provided the alibi for the main suspect. The subject failed the exam and after being confronted with the deceptive charts, admitted that she had lied and had provided a false alibi for the main suspect. Columbus Police Detective Robert Jackson confirmed that the Grand Jury has returned an indictment against the main suspect for first degree murder.

Washington, D.C., Washington Metropolitan P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Tim Doughty reports that a man and woman were found shot to death in their apartment in Southeast Washington, D.C. A witness told police that she saw two men flee from the house at the time of the shooting and suspected that one of the individuals was the victim's nephew. The witness flatly refused to positively identify the nephew and then became reluctant to cooperate further, although she did agree to a CVSA exam. The CVSA exam clearly indicated that she had actually seen the nephew flee the scene of the murders and that he was one of the killers. When confronted with the charts, the witness admitted that she had lied and she then made a positive identification of the nephew as one of the killers. A second suspect was also identified and when confronted, both he and the nephew accused the other of committing both murders. A CVSA exam was conducted on the second suspect and the subject displayed deception concerning his killing both victims. Det. Doughty reports that when he confronted the second suspect with the deceptive charts, and, utilizing the interrogation techniques taught by the NITV, he obtained a confession to both murders which the subject repeated on video tape. The nephew was allowed to plea-bargain and testified against the second suspect. The video taped confession was admitted at the trial and the subject was convicted on two counts of murder. The WMPD now has 18 CVSA's and 67 trained examiners.

Maryland, Baltimore P.D. -  Analyst/Polygraphist Det. John T. Brown reports that one of his first exams as a new examiner involved in the murder of an elderly lady that was found stabbed to death in her apartment. Several days later, police received an anonymous call in which they were told that the young man that lived in the first floor apartment had committed the crime. The young man was brought in and questioned and was offered a CVSA exam. The subject passed every question on the MZOC except "Do you suspect someone in particular of killing Mrs.........?" Although he had responded no, deception was displayed. When confronted with the charts, the subject admitted that he suspected his sister, who lived in the third floor apartment of the murder. When the sister was brought in for questioning, she stated that her mother had committed the murder. When the mother was confronted, she claimed that her daughter had committed the murder. Det. Brown conducted CVSA exams on both subjects and the charts clearly showed that the daughter had committed the murder. The mother's charts also showed that she was present when the murder was committed, but that she did not commit the murder. When confronted with the test results, both subjects admitted that the CVSA results were correct and gave full confessions. Det. Brown reports that this was only the first of many cases that he was able to clear with the CVSA and that the Baltimore P.D. now has 8 CVSA's and 22 trained examiners.

Ohio, Springfield Township P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Pat Kemper reports that a 12-year-old girl accused a 31-year-old man of abducting her and attempting to have her perform oral sex on him. The suspect was questioned and the detectives became convinced that he was guilty and that he was very close to a confession. At this point, a CVSA exam was requested. Analyst/Det. Kemper, an 18 year veteran, was also convinced of the suspect's guilt by both his verbal and nonverbal responses. However, the CVSA showed that the suspect was innocent. The investigating detectives then went to the victim's house to question her again and she admitted that she had made up the entire story. Det. Kemper states that without the CVSA, the suspect would probably have been charged.

Florida, Casselberry P.D.  - An adult female made allegations that her boss had made arrangements for her to come to work early one day and then had sexually assaulted her prior to the other employees arriving for work. The suspect was contacted and it was requested that he voluntarily come to the station for an interview in reference to the allegations. During the pre-test interview the suspect at first denied that he had sex with the victim. After being confronted with the request to take the CVSA exam he then admitted that he had sex with the victim. He stated that the woman had been flirting with him and that the sex was at her suggestion. He said he had denied having sex with her at first because he is married and also afraid that because he is a manager that he would be fired. A CVSA exam was conducted. The man admitted that sex had taken place at work but that both parties had consented and that no force had been used. The suspect was given the CVSA exam and showed no deception in his answers.

The victim was then requested to submit to a CVSA exam in relation to the allegations. She maintained that she had been forced to have sex. She was given the CVSA exam and the results indicated that her answers were deceptive. After being confronted with the results of her exam and the results of the suspects, the victim signed a statement that she did not want to proceed with a police investigation. The case was closed exceptional.

What is particularly disconcerting about this case is that DNA evidence was likely obtainable that would have made the victim's allegations appear truthful had not the CVSA exams been used to ferret out the truth.

Missouri, Newton Co. Sheriff's Dept.  - Analyst/Det. Terry Lankford reports that a 17 year old female alleged that she had been raped by three men following a party. Upon being asked to take the CVSA exam, two agreed and one refused. Both of the subjects that agreed to take the exam passed. The victim was then asked to take the exam to verify her story. The victim failed the test and finally confessed that she had consented to have sex with the three men and afterwards had become afraid that she might get pregnant. After talking with a girlfriend, they made up the story about the rape. Analyst Lankford states that "Through the CVSA, three innocent men were saved from being arrested and possibly going to prison, for a crime that they did not commit".

Ohio, Cincinnati P.D.  - Analyst/Police Specialist Roger Webster reports that a woman reported two separate B&E offenses. In the first she reported that someone broke into her residence and took three hundred dollars from her purse but nothing else. The second incident occurred several days later in which a man broke into her residence while she slept in a chair. She awoke to find the burglar kissing her and holding a knife to her throat. The burglar took thirty dollars from her and fled. The investigating officer did not believe the victim and felt that she was making the report to cover her missing rent money and requested a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer examination. After listening to her story, newly trained analyst Webster also did not believe her. However, the CVSA exam indicated that she was being completely truthful. Several weeks later an individual was apprehended during a B&E and when questioned by P/S Webster, admitted to both of the B&E's and confirmed all of the details given by the victim. Analyst Webster states that the CVSA has now become a regular part of his investigative arsenal.

Louisiana, Baton Rouge P.D.  - Analyst D/Sgt. Ron Cowart was asked to conduct a CVSA exam on an individual who was the last person to have seen a young man who had been missing for more than two months. The subject showed deception when he stated that he did not know what had happened to the young man nor where he was. D/Sgt. Cowart confronted the subject with the charts but the man continued to maintain that he was telling the truth. The following day local news stories were abundant in their coverage of the discovery of a decomposed body by a hunter. Later that day, the subject that D/Sgt. Cowart had tested called, crying uncontrollably. He confessed that he had murdered the young man and that the CVSA had been right. He further stated that his failure of the CVSA and D/Sgt. Cowart's adamant assertions that he was lying had caused him to return to where he had buried the young man in a failed attempt to better conceal the remains. The subject brought the murder weapon when he turned himself in to D/Sgt. Cowart.

Ohio, Darke Co. Sheriff's Dept.  - Analyst/Chief Deputy Ron Smalldon reports that he was asked by detectives at a nearby agency if he would be able to conduct an examination on an individual who had been interviewed and cleared as a suspect by agents of the FBI and ATF of being involved in several pipe bombings. Unknown to them, the interview was tape recorded by a detective with the local agency and because he felt that the federal agent's conclusions might be wrong, he requested that Chief Deputy Smalldon analyze the tape. Chief Deputy Smalldon felt that he clearly saw deception but due to the situation, he requested that several other analysts render a "cold call". Each of the other analysts rendered deceptive results as well. Detectives from the local department re-interviewed the suspect and obtained a search warrant for his house where they found pipe bomb paraphernalia and arrested the suspect.

Maryland, Baltimore P.D.  - Analyst/Polygrapher Det. John T. Brown reports that in a recent case, police were called to the scene of an apparent drive-by shooting. An individual reported that someone fired a shot at his car and the bullet struck his two-year-old daughter and killed her. Although he was not the focus of the investigation, some suspicion led detectives to request that the father of the murdered girl take a CVSA examination to confirm his story. The examination indicated that the father was not being truthful concerning the murder of his daughter. Armed with that information, detectives investigating the case focused their attention on the father and gathered enough evidence to take him to trial. A Jury found him guilty of the first-degree murder of his daughter and sentenced him to life in prison. The Baltimore Police Department now has eight CVSA's, twenty-two detectives trained as examiners, and will soon implement mandatory CVSA examinations as a part of the background screening process.

California, Burbank P.D.  - Analyst/Polygrapher Det. Craig Ratliff reports that police were called to a residence on a report of a rape. They apprehended a suspect running down the street 2 blocks from the residence and took him into custody. The complainant alleged that the suspect had asked her if he could use her bathroom while he was browsing at the yard sale that she was conducting. She further stated that she was in the house when he came out of the bathroom and that he then proceeded to rape her. Charges were filed against the suspect and he was set for arraignment. The suspect's story was that he had asked to use the bathroom but when he came out, the woman had taken off her blouse and proceeded to seduce him. After sex, he noticed a twenty-dollar bill on the floor by his pants. When he attempted to pick it up, the woman grabbed him and a struggle ensued. He stated that he finally pushed her down and fled from the house. He agreed to take a CVSA exam and passed three charts on his version of what happened. California's law prohibiting police from requesting a sexual assault victim take a lie detection examination prevented them from requesting that she take the CVSA. However, they did call her in for further questioning and when she was confronted with the results of the suspect's CVSA exam, she admitted that she had lied about the whole story and that she had actually seduced the young man.

Florida, Palm Bay P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Don Bauman reports that he was contacted by Michigan authorities concerning an individual that they were holding on unrelated charges. The subject was suspected of many crimes in many states in the 1970's, however, authorities had never developed enough evidence to make any arrests. The most notorious of the crimes was the brutal murder of an 87-year-old woman in Menominee, Michigan. The subject had been living in Palm Bay for the past 15 years without incident and, for all intents and purposes, had escaped justice. Det. Bauman was asked to interview the subject concerning the murder. During the interview the subject denied any knowledge of the murder and Det. Bauman offered him a CVSA exam which he agreed to take. After failing the exam and being confronted with two deceptive charts, the subject confessed to the murder and gave up the name of his accomplice who was still living in Michigan. The accomplice was immediately apprehended and the individual that was held by the Palm Bay P.D. and was extradited back to Michigan where he is currently awaiting trial for the murder that he committed 20 years ago.

California, Fairfield P.D.  - Lt. Gresham reports that an individual reported that he was attacked by a woman after they had sex and that the woman severed his penis. Doctors were unable to reattach his penis. He stated that the woman told him that she was a friend of the woman that he was convicted of murdering in 1983 and that this was revenge for the murder. Police aggressively worked the case and received several telephone tips about the possible identity of the woman. While the victim was working with detectives on a sketch of his attacker, they requested that he take a CVSA exam concerning certain facts in the case. He agreed to take the exam and following two charts which clearly showed that he was lying about being attacked, the subject admitted that he had severed his own penis and made up the story about the woman.

Washington DC, Washington Metropolitan P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Andrew Way reports that in his first exam since graduating from the NITV's Certified Examiners Course, he tested an individual who reported that he had been kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint while driving a delivery truck. Det. Way was suspicious about his story and since they had had a number of false kidnapping reports which took a tremendous amount of time to investigate, Det. Way requested that the driver take a CVSA exam to verify his report. The driver failed the exam and when confronted with the deceptive charts, admitted that he had not been kidnapped but rather had made up the story because he had fallen asleep and needed a reason to explain why he did not make his deliveries. The Washington Metropolitan P.D. now has 18 CVSA's and 67 detectives trained as examiners.

New York, Webster P.D.  - Analyst/Chief of Police Alexander Kirstein reports that on Sunday evening following their return from the Certified Examiners Course conducted by the National Institute for Truth Verification, the examiners were called into the station to conduct Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) exams on three cases. In the first case a 13 year old girl claimed that her mother's boyfriend had molested her. The mother's boyfriend agreed to take a CVSA exam and passed. The 13 year old girl was then given a CVSA exam to verify her allegations. She failed. When confronted with the charts, she admitted that she had made up the story and that she had not been molested. In the second case that evening, a 15 year old girl claimed that she had been raped by a 33 year old man. The suspect agreed to take a CVSA exam and failed. He finally admitted that he had sex with the girl, but that it was consensual sex, not rape. When retested, the results confirmed that the sex was consensual and the subject was charged with statutory rape. In the third exam that evening, a man that had been accused of molesting a young girl agreed to be tested on the CVSA. The detectives had already developed probable cause to make an arrest, however, decided to offer the CVSA exam to confirm the evidence. The suspect passed the exam, so the detectives brought the victim into the station and gave her a CVSA exam. Following her failure of the exam, she confessed that she had made up the story of the molestation.

California, Burbank P.D.  - Analyst/Polygraphist Det. Craig Ratliff reports that his agency was contacted by another law enforcement agency requesting a CVSA exam on a suspect that had been accused of sexual assault. The subject had taken a polygraph with that agency's new computerized polygraph and the exam was inconclusive. The polygraph examiner then reported that the suspect was deceptive although he continued to declare his innocence. The alleged victim was the daughter of a high-level local government official, however, the detectives were concerned about the victim's credibility. The suspect agreed to take the CVSA exam and his denials of any sexual assault were shown to be truthful. The resulting investigation revealed evidence that cleared the suspect and confirmed that the victim had lied about the sexual assault. That agency has purchased their own CVSA.

Florida, Volusia County Sheriff's Department  - Analyst/D/Sgt. Bob Kelley was assigned to work a homicide in which a 73 year old woman had been brutally raped and murdered in her home. The case was classified as a Cold Case and had been closed for over a year. A new suspect had recently been developed and agreed to take a CVSA exam in order to clear himself from suspicion. When asked if he had committed the murder, the subject cleared the exam. When asked if he was involved in the murder, the subject failed. When confronted with the results of the exam, the subject admitted that he was the lookout during the murder and named his accomplice. The Volusia Co. Sheriff's Department now has 4 CVSA's and 15 detectives trained as examiners.

Indiana, Elkhart P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Michael Posthuma reports that in his very first exam utilizing the CVSA on his first day back from attending the NITV's Certified Examiners Course, he was asked to verify the allegations made by a 13 year old girl against her stepfather. The girl had made the allegations of molestation and had then retracted them when pressed for details, leaving detectives to wonder what the truth was. Her mother was asked to allow her to submit to a CVSA exam and she agreed. The charts were so clear, showing that she had been molested, that Det. Posthuma confronted her with the charts. The little girl then admitted that the molestation had happened several times but that she had recanted her story when she saw how sad her mother was when her stepfather was forced to leave the house.

Kentucky, Covington P.D.  - Analyst/ Det. Anthony Williams reports that a woman was found brutally stabbed to death in her house. An individual later appeared at police headquarters and told detectives that he had information concerning the victim and various crimes that she had been involved in. After listening to the information, detectives felt that the subject giving the information may have been involved in the murder and felt that it was necessary to eliminate him as a suspect. The subject agreed to take a CVSA exam and the results confirmed that he was the killer. After utilizing the interrogation techniques taught by the NITV, the subject admitted that he and the victim were smoking crack and got into an argument. He stated that she pulled a knife and that he took it away from her and stabbed her to death. He was charged with second degree murder.

North Carolina, Garner P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Jerry Pierce reports that a local physician reported that $210.00 had been stolen from his office. On the day of the theft, the doctor had fired one of his staff and he suspected that the fired staff member had stolen the money. The fired worker agreed to take the CVSA exam and during the pretest interview admitted that she was in desperate need of money to pay her rent but denied stealing the money. Although Det. Pierce, along with the doctor, now suspected her of taking the money, he administered the CVSA exam, which the suspect passed. When Det. Pierce was finally able to reach the doctor to discuss the results and schedule the other employees for exams, the doctor informed Det. Pierce that he could discontinue his investigation as he had located the missing money. He had misplaced it in a desk drawer under some papers.

Maryland, Prince Georges County P.D.  - Analyst/D/Lt. Michael McQuillan reports that on his very first exam since graduating from the NITV's Certified Examiners Course, he was asked to test the father of a 12 year old girl that claimed that her father had molested her since she was seven years old. The father agreed to take the CVSA exam and passed. D/Lt. McQuillan then proceeded to administer the CVSA to the young girl. She failed the exam and when confronted with the charts, admitted that she wanted to get her father out of the house, so she made up the story about the molestation. D/Lt. McQuillan states that without the CVSA, given the circumstances, the father would have probably been arrested on the initial allegations. The Prince Georges Co. P.D. now has 7 CVSA's and 31 detectives trained.

California, Ventura County Sheriff's Dept.  - Analyst/Det. Bill Gentry reports that a young girl stated that while passing the girls restroom at the middle school that she attended, she stopped to tie her shoe. She stated that she was grabbed from behind, a cloth was put over her face, and she was forced into the girls room. She further stated that she was pinned down on the floor by a group of girls and that one of them pulled up her dress and cut two inch letters into her abdomen with a sharp object. The letters represented a local Hispanic street gang. The incident caused outrage from the parents and they quickly organized to march on the school board for failing to protect the students. Det. Gentry offered the girl a CVSA to confirm her story and she agreed. Her charts were clearly deceptive and when confronted with them, she began to cry and admitted that she had actually cut the letters herself to get more attention from her mother. Det. Gentry states that literally hundreds of investigative man-hours were saved by the CVSA. The Ventura County Sheriff's Dept. now has 4 CVSA's and 20 detectives trained as examiners.

Pennsylvania, Erie P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Kenneth Merchant reports that three days after graduating from the NITV's Certified Examiners Course he was asked to conduct his first exam on an individual that had discovered the body of a murder victim. The subject showed no deception except when asked if she suspected who had committed the murder. After denying it, she finally admitted that she suspected an individual that she knew was going to visit the victim the night of the murder. That individual was picked up for questioning that night and agreed to take a truth verification examination on the Computer Voice Stress Analyzer. After taking and failing the CVSA exam, the suspect gave a full confession. Det. Merchant states that since the initial subject was the only one that knew the identity of the individual that went to the victim's house that night, it is unknown if the actual murder would ever have been identified or charged had it not been for the CVSA. Det. Merchant states that the CVSA paid for itself in its very first case by saving hundreds of investigative hours and quickly clearing a case that otherwise might not have been solved.

Florida, Casselberry P.D.  - A grocery store reported the theft of approximately $500.00 by falsifying a fraudulent return. There was no firm evidence as to who stole the money as numerous employees had access to the cash register where the transaction took place. There was some circumstantial evidence that led the store management to believe that one assistant manager may be the person who stole the money.

He was scheduled to come to the station for an interview and CVSA exam. During the pre-test interview the suspect denied that he had been the one who had falsified the refund and stole the money. The suspect failed the CVSA exam and consequently confessed that he had falsified the refund and stole the money. Arrest charges were filed on the suspect.

Georgia, Smyrna P.D.  - Earlier this year, Analyst/Det. Henry Cambron reports that he was asked to conduct an examination concerning a burglary where more than $20,000 in jewelry and cash was stolen from a safe in a home. Since the circumstances were suspicious, the residents, a mother and her son, were asked to take the CVSA exam. Analyst/Det. Cambron tested the son first and after utilizing the interviewing technique Defense Barrier Removal taught by the NITV, the son gave a full confession prior to submitting to the CVSA exam. He also named his accomplice and the jewelry and cash was recovered at his accomplice's house. He also admitted to several other burglaries in another jurisdiction and named his accomplice (another individual) in those burglaries as well. The individual that he named as his accomplice in the burglaries in the other jurisdiction submitted to a polygraph and passed (the other agency did not have the CVSA).

Idaho, Pocatello P.D.  - Analyst/D/Sgt. Terry Felsman reports that he has conducted approximately 300 criminal examinations utilizing the CVSA as well as many pre-employment exams for his department and was recently asked to conduct an internal affair's exam on a police officer that had been with the department for about five years. The officer's minor stepdaughter had reported that the officer had been involved in sexual misconduct with her for about a year. The officer denied the allegation and agreed to submit to a CVSA exam. Although D/Sgt. Felsman wanted to believe the officer, the CVSA charts clearly displayed deception. With the other evidence, the officer was tried and convicted of lewd conduct with a minor and sentenced to prison. Det./Sgt. Felsman states that the use of the CVSA helped solve the case and got a bad cop off of the streets.

Wisconsin, Portage P.D.  - Analyst/D/Capt. Kenneth Manthey reports that he was paged to a possible homicide scene only 1 hour after returning home from the NITV's Certified Examiners Course. A 56 year-old woman was found dead in her boyfriend's apartment but because of her medical problems due to alcoholism, it was difficult to determine the exact cause of death although there were no signs of foul play. An autopsy was performed the next day and the cause of death was determined to be a blow to the back of the head. The forensic pathologist stated that it could have come from a fall or from being struck. Although the boyfriend was an alcoholic of 32 years, he was asked to take a CVSA exam and agreed. After being confronted with the deceptive charts and informed of the results, the suspect confessed and told the detectives that he had knocked her down during a fight and had kicked her in the head while she lay on the floor. The subject was taken into custody and charged with first degree homicide. D/Capt. Manthey states that Defense Barrier Removal that he had just learned in the CEC was invaluable in eliciting the confession from the killer.

Ohio, Seven Hills P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Jeffery Gezymalla and Analyst D/Sgt. Mark Horvath report that they were asked to conduct a CVSA exam on a female that a neighboring city P.D. suspected of stealing more than $73,000.00. The test questions were predicated upon the information given by the officer that transported the woman that she was suspected of cashing the missing check. Following the CVSA exam, Det. Gezymalla determined that the suspect did not cash the missing check. At that time a detective arrived from the neighboring agency and informed Det. Gezymalla that the suspect was not, in fact, suspected of cashing the check, but rather of arranging to have it transported out-of-state. A new exam was conducted based on the new information and deception was clearly indicated. Although the suspect adamantly denied any involvement at that time, the detectives from the neighboring agency called the next day to inform Det. Gezymalla that the suspect had given them a full confession that she had stolen the check, arranged to have it transported out-of-state, and had another person cash it.

Florida, Palm Beach Co. Sheriff’s Dept.  - Analyst/Det. William Atkinson reports that as an Arson and Bomb Squad detective, he was able to not only find the guilty subject, but to also clear an innocent person. An apartment was discovered to be on fire by one of three adult tenants upon his return at night. The Arson investigator determined that the fire was intentionally set in the master bedroom and the fire caused $55,000.00 in damage. The victim, a 33 year old male stated that he left the residence about 10:00 P.M. to pick up his wife and returned around 11:15 PM to find Fire-Rescue on the scene. He claimed that he did not know how the fire had happened but that $490.00 that he had left inside a dresser drawer before the fire was missing and he accused the roommate who had discovered and reported the fire of setting the fire to cover the theft. He stated that the roommate who had discovered the fire was the only person besides his wife that knew the money was hidden in the drawer and that the roommate had given three different and conflicting statements on three different dates to his wife concerning how he had learned the apartment was on fire. The statements made by the victim, along with the facts of the case and allegations that the roommate had a drug problem, coupled with the fact that the roommate had disappeared and could not be located, made him the prime suspect in the arson and theft.

One month later the roommate and now prime suspect was located and agreed to give a sworn statement to detectives. During the interview he was asked to take a CVSA exam and agreed. The suspect passed the CVSA and was found to be telling the truth in every area.

The victim was then asked to provide a follow-up interview during which a number of discrepancies and contradictions in his alibi and pre-fire time-frame statements were noted and he was also asked to take a CVSA exam. As Det. Atkinson was preparing the interview room for the exam, the victim suddenly began crying and stated that the CVSA would not be necessary. He then confessed to starting the fire to cover his own removal of the $490.00 to pay for cocaine to support his own drug problem. He also confessed to falsely accusing the roommate of the crime to avoid his wife’s discovery of both his drug problem and his use of household savings to purchase drugs fearing that she would leave him if she found out what had really happened. The subject was placed under arrest for Arson of a Dwelling and subsequently pled guilty to First Degree Arson.

Florida, Casselberry P.D. -  An eleven-year-old female made allegations that she had been sexually assaulted. She stated that the perpetrator was a forty-year-old male friend of the family. She stated that the sexual batteries had occurred numerous times over the period of a year. The victim alleged that penetration had occurred. A sexual battery medical exam was performed. The doctor that performed the exam found no evidence that supported the victim's allegations of sexual battery. A CVSA exam was scheduled for the victim. Prior to the exam the victim's mother stated that her daughter was a habitual liar and that you could not believe a word that she said.

A CVSA exam was conducted on the victim. The results of the test indicated that the victim was being truthful. A CVSA exam was scheduled for the male suspect. During the pre-test interview the suspect adamantly denied that he had had any sexual contact with the victim. He stated that the victim was lying. A CVSA exam was conducted on the suspect. The results indicated that the suspect was being deceptive. After being confronted with the results of the exam  the suspect was interviewed and a confession was obtained. The suspect admitted that he had sexually abused the victim on previous occasions. Arrest charges were filed on the suspect.

Ohio, Springfield Township  - P.D. Analyst/Det. Robert Browder of the Springfield Township P.D., Cincinnati, OH, reports that a female 13 year-old victim reported that a 16 year-old male suspect forced her to the basement of an apartment building and demanded that she perform oral sex on him. Several days later she called to say that she was declining to prosecute and the case was closed.

One month later the same victim reported that she was forcibly raped by another male suspect who threatened to shoot her. The female victim advised her parents of the rape after she found that she was pregnant. During the initial interview, the victim made several statements that contained minor discrepancies and the detectives decided to request that she take a CVSA exam to verify the allegations. She agreed and Analyst/Det. Browder obtained parental consent.

The subject took the CVSA exam and, following a brief explanation of chart interpretation, was allowed to 'call' her own charts. The subject called her charts DI as she easily picked out her deceptive responses. After five minutes of Defense Barrier Removal, the victim admitted fabricating the rape offense for fear of her parents reaction due to her being pregnant, therefore clearing an innocent person of a rape charge.

Florida, Miami/Dade P.D.  - Analyst/Inv. Lisa Morales reports that she was presented with a case involving a 2 1/2 year-old female abuse victim. The suspects were her mother and her mother's roommate, also a female. The victim had multiple bruises to both sides of her forehead and both eyes. Her mother claimed that the roommate had beaten the child. The roommate advised that the mother caused the injury. The child was not verbal and there was no other physical evidence or independent witnesses.

Both were given CVSA exams and both charts were “DI”, with high stress on the second relevant question on both charts. During the post-test interview, the roommate confessed that early on the date of the incident, she was frustrated with the victim because she was being difficult and she told the child to go stand in a corner. When the child refused, the roommate forced her into the corner, banging the child’s face into the wall. The mother also confessed when confronted with her “DI” chart. She admitted that on the same day she too yelled at the child for being messy. The roommate was yelling, complaining that the child was putting her chocolate covered hands on the furniture. The mother then threw the child to the ground and when the child wouldn't stop crying, she kicked the child in the face several times, causing the more severe bruising to the head and eye.

The mother was charged with child abuse. The roommate was not charged despite the deceptive test results and admissions. The fact that the doctor’s advised that the push into the corner would not cause the type of bruising the child received allowed the lead detective to feel that the roommate was being truthful in her statements. The Miami / Dade P.D. now has 10 CVSA's and 32 detectives trained.

Georgia, Brunswick P.D.  - Analyst/Capt. David Seawell reports that he was asked to conduct a CVSA exam on a young female who might have information concerning the armed robbery of a convenience store. The female was the girlfriend of a suspect in the robbery and had been questioned at length by detectives but had given them no useful information.

Capt. Seawell conducted a General Series test and asked the following relevant questions: 1. Did Damon tell you he planned to rob the store? 2. Did Damon tell you he had robbed the store? 3. Did Damon give you the gun to hide? To each of the questions the subject responded no during the pretest interview as well as during the test question review. However, when asked those same questions on the exam, the subject answered 'yes'. Her answers displayed no deception. When told of her responses, the subject was incredulous. After being reminded to respond no to the relevant questions, a second exam was conducted. However, she again responded 'yes' to the relevant questions and again, the charts showed that she was being truthful.

After being confronted with the results of the second exam and being shown the charts, the subject admitted that her boyfriend had actually told her that he was going to rob the store, had told her afterwards that he had robbed it, and had given her the gun to hide. The police recovered the gun and, armed with her statement, arrested her boyfriend.

Florida, Casselberry P.D.  - A local fast food restaurant reported that approximately $1,500.00 had been stolen from the store safe. There were no signs of forced entry and it was suspected that the theft had been an inside job by one of the managers. There were four store managers who would have had the opportunity and ability to steal the money. It was felt by the restaurants district supervisor and numerous store employees that a certain female manager was the likely thief.

A CVSA exam was scheduled for the four managers. The first two managers came in for a CVSA exam. After they were questioned about the missing money, they both denied taking the money. A CVSA exam was conducted on both individuals and the results showed no deception.

A third manager who was a male was given a CVSA exam also. He was not a prime suspect but given the exam because he did have the opportunity to take the money. During the pre-test interview he denied that he took the money. After failing the CVSA exam the suspect was again questioned and he confessed that he was the person who stole the money from the safe. Arrest charges were filed on the suspect.

Ohio, Monroe P.D.  - Analyst/Det. Michael Staples reports that a large cash deposit was missing from a night deposit drop at a local bank. Det. Staples interviewed the employee that had made the deposit and the employee gave every indication of guilt. Det. Staples requested that the subject take a CVSA exam and the subject agreed.

The CVSA exam was scheduled for the next day and the subject again gave every indication of guilt during the pretest interview (he gave seven kinesic ‘hits’). However, the subject emphatically denied taking the money. The subject took and passed the CVSA exam. Even though he was an experienced examiner, Det. Staples was convinced that the suspect was guilty and that he had ‘beat’ the CVSA.

Det. Staples then proceeded to review the bank records of every other deposit that was made that night. A fast-food manager had made a deposit 15 minutes after the missing deposit was made and so Det. Staples called the fast-food manager in and interviewed him. Within 20 minutes Det. Staples obtained a confession that the fast-food manager had seen a deposit partially sticking out of the drop-box when he went to make his deposit and that he had taken the stuck deposit. The fast-food manager was charged with felony theft.

Det. Staples states that if it were not for the CVSA, an innocent man would most likely have been charged with a serious crime.