The Houston Police Department recently conducted a review of its polygraph testing procedures, saying it voluntarily asked for some help from the Department of Defense-- whose school trains all federal polygraph testers, and establishes federal standards. The review involved some 325 tests, between the years of 2004 and 2006. HPD says the results from the review indicated major problems-- but the department sought to improve its standards with modified testing techniques, improved training, etc.

However, some people say there are some big problems with the way HPD conducts the tests.

Attorney Kim Ogg’s client, Lieutenant Ken Miller, was fired by HPD after a sexual harrassment investigation, which included a polygraph test. An arbitrator found severe problems with the test, and ordered him reinstated.

Houston Police Union Attorney Aron Suder says he has no confidence in the way HPD conducts polygraph tests, and has seen problems with them time and again-- with investigators relying too heavily on them.

On the other side, HPD Assistant Chief Norm Wong says the department is listening to the Department of Defense, and making some changes.

Chief Harold Hurtt says the review was born out of problems with the crime lab. He says he's satisfied with what he’s seen, and claims the polygraph is only one tool out of many that investigators use. Hurtt would not commit to opening a deeper investigation in to the tests.

Houston polygraph expert John Swartz says the tests are very accurate-- as long as they are performed correctly, with training being a big key. He also says polygraphs are being used-- right here in Harris County-- more widely than one might believe.