THE BOOK BEGINS WITH THE CASE OF A MAN FALSELY ACCUSED OF A ROBBERY IN TEXAS. HE WAS FINALLY ALLOWED TO TAKE A POLYGRAPH TEST WHICH CLEARED HIM. THE RESULT OF THIS HIGHLY PUBLICIZED CASE WAS STATE LEGISLATION REQUIRING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO GIVE LIE DETECTOR TESTS TO ALL SUSPECTS WHO DEMAND THEM. THE CONVERSE SITUATION, THE SUSPECT WHO DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE A TEST, IS EXAMINED AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED IN VARIOUS STATES IS TRACED THROUGH A SERIES OF STORIES. THE BACKGROUND CHAPTERS COVER THE TECHNICAL OPERATION OF THE POLYGRAPH, GIVE BIOGRAPHIES OF NOTED POLYGRAPH OPERATORS, AND DESCRIBE THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES. CASES TAKEN FROM THE FILES OF INTERPOL (INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION), SCOTLAND YARD, AND UNITED STATES POLICE AGENCIES ILLUSTRATE THE USE OF LIE DETECTORS TO SOLVE EMBEZZLEMENT CASES, CONFIRM STORIES OF WITNESSES, SCREEN EMPLOYEES, SUBSTANTIATE CONFESSIONS OR LEAD TO CONFESSIONS, AND SETTLE CIVIL SUITS (NONPAYMENT OF BILLS, CASES OF ADULTERY, AND CUSTODY CASES). THE MILITARY USES THE POLYGRAPH NOT ONLY FOR CRIMINAL MATTERS WHICH ARISE UNDER MILITARY JURISDICTION, BUT ALSO TO SOLVE CASES OF SUSPECTED ESPIONAGE. POLYGRAPHS ARE SEEN AS GAINING EVEN GREATER ACCEPTANCE BY COURTS, INVESTIGATORS, AND EMPLOYERS IN THE FUTURE. AN INDEX IS INCLUDED.