The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

weonesasay juiy /, i w IH tU A N V ILLfc BfcAV fcK AP IN SEARCH OF TRUTH: Although still banned in courts, Halton Police say the lie detector remains a valued tool in helping investigators solve crimes By Karen Smith SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER They may not be admissible in court, but the results of lie detector tests can be a valuable investigative tool, says a Halton regional police sergeant. Now computerized, it's a device that some skeptics deem unreliable, but one that police forces across the country look to confidently, said Sgt. Scott McLaughlin of the force's poly­ graph unit. "When I'm done, I'm 100% sure the answer is correct," he said. Conducted properly, polygraph tests are actu­ ally about 96% accurate, according to reports, but the information obtained from them can't be used as evidence in a prosecution. The results, however, can point investigators in the right direction as a last resort -- when all bureau to become a polygraphist, Sgt. McLaughlin underwent a year's training that included three months at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa. The examiner's job is techni­ cal and tedious. "There isn't a police polygraphist in Canada that isn't well trained," he said, noting the demanding workload students must endure. Polygraph subjects, who in Ontario can only be tested if they agree, sit in a long-armed, black piece of furniture that Sgt. McLaughlin said reminds most people of an electric chair. Devices that monitor sweat glands, heart rate and breathing are attached to the subject's fin­ gers, arm, chest, and abdomen. The chair is equipped with a motion detector to pick up any movement by the subject. Movement can throw off the readings. A person fibbing to police experience a simi­ lar reaction to the adrenaline rush that occurs when danger is near, Sgt. McLaughlin said. "When a person tells a lie, the same thing happens," he said. The changes in the body are recorded on the computer -- like lines on a heart monitor -- and the examiner scrutinizes the results carefully. While a seasoned liar can look you straight in the face and be deceptive, the body can't be untruthful, he said. Less than 5% of tests are inconclusive. The test itself takes about 20 minutes, but the entire process can last as long as three hours. The examiner and subject go over how the test works and together determines how ques­ tions will be worded to prevent any misinterpre­ tation in their meaning that could result in inac­ curate results. All in all, about 70% of subjects are truthful, Sgt. McLaughlin said. The other 30% generally think they can beat the test. Many suspects have refused to take poly­ graph tests, but not necessarily because they're guilty. Sgt. McLaughlin said contrary to his opinion, some people simply don't believe in them. "If I didn't believe it works, I wouldn't be doing it," he said. Halton Regional Police Sgt. Scott McLaughlin gators in the right direction. other investigative means have been exhausted, Sgt. McLaughlin said. In fact, the sergeant is called upon three or four times a week to conduct polygraph tests for Halton and Hamilton-Wentworth investigators. He questions suspects for all types of crimes including theft, child abuse and murder. His and tools of the trade: helping point investi- skills are shared by both forces as a cost-saving measure. Having a competent examiner at the helm is the first step in accurately distinguishing truthful people from liars, the sergeant said. A former Milton fraud investigator who left the force's north Halton criminal investigation Red Cross aid puts human face on donor efforts society inter­ preters will explain the com­ mercial district as it was a century or more ago, and how it has evolved into the busy corridor of today. "The Main Street" tours take place Sun. July 18th, and Aug. 15th. Tours begin at 2 p.m. and run approximately 1- 1/2 hours. The fee for non-members is $10; members, $8; children under six years, free. Reservations are requested. To book your tour, call 844-2695. w Speers Rd. & 8 £TT 9 9 Concorde 1.8% Financing or Lease 0% Financing - 0% Lease QQ 306m Financing Financing or Lease Dodge Dodge Trucks CHRYSLER 0AKVI1E DODGE G 646 4th Line, Speers Road, Oakville www.oakvilledodge.com RYSLHt JEEP 845-4211 By Alex Fuller SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Sophie Labib is a 74-year-old woman that speaks with great enthusi­ asm and pride when asked about her experience with the local Red Cross Branch. "They are magnificent!" she exclaims, during our telephone conver­ sation. "I pray to God that they keep in good shape and health," she says, of the volunteers that she knows so well by now. She speaks these words so freely ^ Lotto 6/49 * winner nets $1.6-m An Oakville man is $1.6 million richer thanks to Lotto 6/49. Douglas Klopp, 38, an assembler at a local manufacturing plant, won the jackpot on the June 9th draw. Klopp, who is single, says he will invest the majority of the money but plans to buy a condominium and share with his family. The winning ticket was purchased at Becker's on Maple Grove Drive. Take walk into history The Oakville H i s t o r i c a l Society's popular Walking Tours of the Heritage District of the Town are being repeated this sum­ mer with the addi­ tion of a new route along Lakeshore Road East. The new tour takes in both north and south sides of Oakville's main street from Navy Street to Allan Street, where and enthusiastically that I can just pic­ ture her waving her arms in the air as if to further emphasize her point. Clearly, this lady is a strong proponent of the good works performed by the Red Cross. I spoke to Labib as part of my vol­ unteer contribution to this worthy agency, offering to write a series of arti­ cles on some of the people who utilize their services. Labib was my first inter­ view. Six years ago, she lived in Montreal. Now she lives alone as a resident in a local seniors' apartment building. The reason for the move is not what one might expect. While some people move to follow their heart or be closer to fam­ ily or friends, Labib moved in order to have access to a knee specialist who could give the type of care she required. Three operations later, she now stands on her own two feet and moves about with the assistance of a walker. Despite her increased mobility, Labib's condition is such that she still has a fierce dependence on others to get her to the weekly and sometimes bi­ weekly medical appointments. This is where the Red Cross came in. Help was literally only a phone call away. As part of their transportation program, the Red Cross uses volunteer drivers to pick up and drop off individ­ uals requiring assistance. A driver will pick Labib up at her home and take her to her appointments. Afterwards, the driver drops Labib off at a place of her choosing. Sometimes, she goes straight home, other times she goes to the mall or the seniors' recreation centre. The value of what Labib receives from the Red Cross is far more than just the dollars and cents that it costs to run the program. The personal service and attention with which the volunteers carry out their responsibilities means that Labib is treated more as a friend, than a client. As a frequent user of the Red Cross services, Labib has come to know all the volunteers on a first name basis. These are the people who have become an important part of her life and week­ ly routine. She readily admits as we bring our chat to close that: "I would be lost if there was no Red Cross. People are so good and kind and patient." In August, the Oakville Red Cross will hold its annual fundraising gala "Black Tie and Golf Shoes." Proceeds raised from the event go directly to sup­ port programs that, in turn, support peo­ ple like Labib. To find out how you can contribute to the Oakville Branch of the Canadian Red Cross, call 845-5241. F ire w o rk s to th u n d e r o v e r B ro n te S u n d a y By Howard Mozef OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Bronte's Canada Day fireworks display - which fell through last week due to a near disaster - has been re-sched­ uled for this Sunday at 9:30 p.m. "The sponsors really came through for us this year and we certainly want the people of Oakville to benefit from their generosity," said Bronte BIA chair Lee Bernard. Canada Day revelers left Bronte disappointed July 1st when the promised fireworks display never materialized. The reason was the barge on the lake from which fireworks were to be launched broke loose from a tug and struck the boat, stranding the fireworks technicians onboard the barge as it started drifting. This occurred around 8:30 p.m. in winds up to 68 kms per hour and swells of up to 10 feet. The barge was blown out into open water and for the next hour and a half, the crew from Olsen Productions of Richmond Hill concentrated on securing the barge to the tug and was not able to make outside contact. Meanwhile on shore, event organizers scrambled to locate the craft using Halton Regional Police and Air-Sea Rescue - but to no avail. The barge and tug were finally located around 1 a.m. about 30 minutes from Toronto. The barge was heavily damaged in the incident and has been fully inspected. This year's major sponsors include Holiday Inn Express, Oakville Hydro, Molly Maid and First Choice Hair Cutters. http://www.oakvilledodge.com IN SEARCH OF TRUTH: 99 Concorde QQ 0AKVI1E DODGE G 646 4th Line, Speers Road, Oakville RYSLHt JEEP 845-4211 Take walk into history