Lowry Says Polygraph Results Show
Dr. Thomas P. Lowry did not alter a National Archives document according to a recent polygraph test which he took at his expense. In January an Archives press release detailed Lowry’s alteration of a date on a Lincoln pardon document and his confession (see Feb./March issue). Lowry said he took a polygraph examination because, “In the absence of any documentation from the Archives as to my ‘crime’ I sought some sort of objective measure of my credibility.” He said, “I was telling the truth when I said I did not change the Lincoln document and my confession was coerced and false.” The test was administered on Feb. 4 in the Mechanicsville, Va., office of John R. Patterson, owner of American Polygraph Service. He has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and is a court qualified expert in the polygraph profession. Patterson’s Web site explains how polygraph tests are conducted and the examiner’s role. Lowry said two exam sessions were conducted in one appointment that began with Peterson asking Lowry about his background, the problem, the issues that could be framed as “yes” and “no” answers and explaining how a polygraph works. “He emphasized that what I had seen on TV about polygraphic tests was mostly wrong,” said Lowry. For one thing, Lowry sat facing away from Peterson and the polygraph equipment. Before the exam Peterson read the questions framed into yes and no format “checking to see if there were any ambiguities or misunderstandings,” said Lowry. “I was not allowed to eliminate any questions. He composed the questions, based on the initial extended interview and history taking.” In each exam session, with a short break between them, Lowry was asked some neutral questions, then questions related to the National Archives, and then more neutral questions. The same questions phrased differently and in a different sequence were asked in each session. Peterson’s written summary, accompanied by four pages of computer analysis scoring data, noted: “The following relevant questions were asked to Dr. Lowry during the first examination, which he answered as indicated: “Have you intentionally attempted to evade the authorities investigating the Lincoln document in question? Dr. Lowry answered: No. “Are you telling the truth when you say you have not tried to evade the authorities investigating the Lincoln document in question? Dr. Lowry answered: Yes.” Peterson wrote that in his opinion Lowry “showed reactions indicative of no deception each time” and it was his opinion Lowry was truthful. The second examination asked: “Did you change the date on the Lincoln document that relates to Patrick Murphy?” Lowry answered “no.” “Were you coerced into writing a false confession pertaining to changing the date on that Lincoln document in question?” Lowry said “yes.” Peterson again found no indication of deception and concluded Lowry was being truthful.
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