The Knife: Off Record – Episode 104 Summary

Introduction

In Episode 104 of The Knife: A True Crime Podcast, hosts Hannah Smith and Pasha Eaton delve into the mysterious disappearance of Echo Mae Wiles. This episode focuses on how polygraph testing played a pivotal role in unraveling the case, featuring insights from retired FBI Special Agent and expert polygraph examiner Mark Rossi. The hosts provide a comprehensive exploration of polygraphs—its history, misconceptions, and practical application in solving crimes.

Echo Mae Wiles: A Mysterious Disappearance

Echo Mae Wiles, born on February 8, 1985, vanished on August 2005 from Fort Riley, Kansas, a military base where she resided with her husband, Joshua Wiles, who was deployed overseas at the time. Echo's disappearance remained unsolved for five years, marked by scarce leads and minimal public information about her personal life. Investigators uncovered that Echo was involved in extramarital relationships, complicating the investigation but offering potential motives.

The Role of Polygraphs in the Investigation

The breakthrough in Echo Wiles' case came with the discovery of her remains in a 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, found submerged in Moon Lake by construction workers in April 2010. Although the cause of death was undetermined due to the remains' condition, the presence of Echo's body transformed the case into a murder investigation, prompting the involvement of Mark Rossi, the senior-most FBI polygraph examiner.

Interview with Mark Rossi

Mark Rossi, a retired FBI Special Agent with nearly three decades of service, provided expert commentary on the application of polygraphs in criminal investigations. Rossi emphasized that polygraphs are tools for ruling out suspects as much as they are for identifying deceptive individuals. He explained, “Polygraph is an incredible tool for ruling people out as much as finding someone who's guilty and trying to be deceptive about it” ([25:30]).

Understanding the Polygraph Process

Rossi detailed the polygraph process, highlighting its complexity and the extensive preparation involved:

• Pre-Test Phase: Involves reviewing the subject’s medical history, medications, and a comprehensive briefing to ensure clarity in the questions to be asked. Rossi stated, “There's a whole long process of pre-test... to make sure there was no surprises” ([13:09]).
• Testing Phase: Consists of a series of yes-or-no questions designed to elicit physiological responses indicative of truthfulness or deception. Rossi debunked common myths, noting that body language clichés like "looking down and to the left" are not reliable indicators of lying ([14:00]).
• Post-Test Phase: Results are analyzed, but polygraph outcomes are not admissible in court. Instead, they aid investigators in narrowing down suspects.

Solving Echo Wiles' Case

The first significant polygraph involved a former soldier who had an extramarital affair with Echo. Despite initial resistance influenced by legal counsel, Rossi secured his participation. The polygraph results exonerated him, offering relief and redirecting investigative resources.

The second polygraph, conducted on Christopher Willoughby in December 2010, proved crucial. During the examination, Willoughby made a startling comment: “I can still smell her perfume” ([34:31]). This statement red-flagged him as deceptive. Rossi explained, "I can't tell you in the room, but I knew" ([32:10]), leading to persistent probing. Eventually, Willoughby confessed to murdering Echo, providing specific details that aligned with the evidence, such as seatbelting her remains in the car before submerging it in the lake. This confession led to his arrest and conviction, offering closure to Echo’s family.

Polygraph Reliability and Misconceptions

The hosts and Rossi discussed the reliability of polygraphs, addressing skepticism rooted in their non-admissibility in courts and varied accuracy rates:

• Historical Skepticism: The Frye vs. United States case (1923) established that polygraph evidence needed general scientific acceptance, which it lacked, resulting in the exclusion of polygraph results from court proceedings ([08:44]).
• Accuracy Rates: Studies show polygraphs are more accurate than chance, with some research indicating around 60% accuracy, though critics argue this is insufficient ([11:07]).
• Expert Insights: Rossi emphasized that while polygraphs are not infallible, they are valuable investigative tools when used correctly. He also noted that polygraphs are particularly effective with sociopaths, who tend to have vivid memories triggering physiological responses during testing ([49:57]).

Conclusion and Reflections

The episode concluded with reflections on the ethical and practical implications of polygraph use in criminal investigations. Hannah expressed relief that Echo’s case was solved, yet questioned the brevity of Willoughby's sentence, noting his release in 2022 despite the severity of his crime ([48:05]). The hosts reiterated that while polygraphs are imperfect, they remain instrumental in uncovering truths and providing victims’ families with much-needed closure.

Notable Quotes

• Hannah Smith: “Doesn't everybody think that they're good at it” ([02:31]).
• Mark Rossi: “There is no lie detector. Neither man nor machine. People have been deceived by a myth…” ([06:03]).
• Mark Rossi: “Polygraph is basically what the body does when the mind realizes you're telling a lie” ([12:43]).
• Mark Rossi: “If you have an ability to tell for sure that someone was telling you the truth or a lie, it would be so useful” ([10:25]).
• Mark Rossi: “He killed her” ([40:48]).
• Mark Rossi: “Sociopaths have great memories… their recall is so crystal clear” ([49:53]).

Final Thoughts

Episode 104 of The Knife: A True Crime Podcast masterfully intertwines the technical aspects of polygraph testing with the human element of crime investigation. Through detailed storytelling and expert insights, Hannah Smith and Pasha Eaton shed light on the complexities of uncovering truth within the criminal justice system, illustrating the profound impact investigative tools can have on solving cases and delivering justice.