James T. Orr is a retired FBI Special Agent with 27 years of service and over 2,329 FBI polygraph examinations — plus over 1,000 more in private practice. When accuracy and credibility matter most, experience is everything.
Graduate of the DOD Polygraph Institute, Fort McClellan — the gold standard in polygraph training.
Results admitted as evidence in multiple U.S. Federal Courts — including without stipulation — and international arbitration.
Conducted exams in 20+ countries in support of FBI, DOJ, and U.S. Department of State missions.
Two-time recipient of the Richard O. Arther Director's Award, Region V — one of the highest honors in the field.
James T. Orr began his law enforcement career with the Westland City Police Department in metropolitan Detroit in 1974. He joined the FBI as a Special Agent on October 2, 1983, and built a distinguished 27-year career before retiring on January 1, 2011. During that career he worked organized crime, violent crime, fugitives, narcotics, and counterterrorism, and served as a SWAT Team member and senior team leader, FBI fitness instructor, and certified undercover agent, including work targeting the New York Gambino crime family.
In January 1999, SA Orr graduated from the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute in Fort McClellan, Alabama, becoming the full-time polygraph examiner for the Baltimore FBI office, later heading the Tampa FBI polygraph program from 2005 until his retirement. He conducted 2,329 FBI polygraph examinations — every one subject to quality control review by FBI supervisors.
Upon retiring from the FBI on January 1, 2011, Mr. Orr established Tampa Polygraph Services, LLC. He has since conducted over 1,000 examinations for attorneys, public defenders, law enforcement, private companies, military contractors, and international security consulting firms in California, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, and Panama. He has conducted well over 3,300 polygraph examinations in total.
On June 15, 2014, he contracted with E-merging Technologies Group to conduct examinations for the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Reston, VA and Washington, D.C. He is also a contract special investigator for the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office and Hillsborough County Administrator's Office.
Mr. Orr served as a primary polygraph instructor at the APA-accredited Academy of Polygraph Science in Fort Myers (2012–2016), and as Senior Polygraph Instructor at Peak Credibility Assessment Training Center in Cape Coral (April 2016 – March 2026). He has lectured at the University of Baltimore School of Law, Stetson University Law School, the University of South Florida, and at polygraph associations across the U.S. and Canada. He also taught a 40-hour Interview and Interrogation course to the Jamaican National Constabulary's Lottery Scam Task Force in Montego Bay for the U.S. Department of State, and taught a basic polygraph course for Ukrainian law enforcement in Kyiv, Ukraine, also for the U.S. Department of State.
Mr. Orr's examination (conducted in Spanish with an interpreter) was admitted as evidence at trial under Federal Rule 702, following a full evidentiary hearing on December 23, 2014. Case No. 8:14-cr-379-T-36TGW.
Polygraph results admitted by Judge Presnell demonstrated two defendants had not committed perjury, securing their full cooperation credit at sentencing. Case No. 6:19-cr-14-ORL-31 DCI.
The prosecution stipulated to the polygraph report's admission. Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II admitted the report and thereafter granted co-defendant Dr. Mark G. Agresti a new trial. Case No. 9:18-cr-80124-RAR.
Mr. Orr's examination was the final "very important" hurdle in the State Attorney's review. Both examiners found Mr. James truthful. Judge Miguel de la O vacated all convictions on April 27, 2022, and Mr. James was released after serving 32 years of a life sentence. Case No. F90-23928.
Testified remotely on April 21, 2023 regarding a polygraph examination conducted on November 14, 2022, for attorney Ariel Reck, concerning a professional soccer player's positive test for a FIFA-banned substance.
Mr. Orr testified before Judge Melissa Souto regarding his August 16, 2022 polygraph examination of Masudi Kisitu. Judge Souto admitted the polygraph evidence and the case was dismissed. Case No. 2022-DR-002673.
James Orr testified via Zoom before Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas regarding his September 11, 2025 examination of Maor Arbili, arrested as part of a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office undercover sting. The judge cited the polygraph examination as part of the basis for a sentencing departure. Case No. 25-CF-015208-A.
Testified at a Daubert Hearing before Magistrate Judge Ellen D'Angelo regarding a polygraph examination of Mr. Bentley concerning the voluntariness of CBP's search of his electronic devices at Miami. Case No. flsdce-25-20455.
Three of these cases were featured in the August 2017 edition of The Champion, the publication of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, in an article titled "Effective Defense Polygraphs" by Christopher Kerr, reprinted in the APA journal.
James T. Orr receives his retirement credentials from FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III upon completing 27 years of service as a Special Agent.
Professional polygraph examinations backed by 36+ years of law enforcement experience.
Court-tested results admitted in U.S. Federal Court without stipulation.
Independent demonstration of truthfulness backed by FBI-trained expertise.
Targeted business examinations under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.
Pre-employment screening for law enforcement, security firms, and qualifying employers.
PCSOT examinations by James T. Orr and Trish Orr, per supervision requirements.
Sensitive examinations for family law and domestic allegations.
Available at prisons, law offices, and client locations across the U.S. and abroad.
Have a question not answered here? Call us at (813) 504-2533 — we're happy to help.
Reach out for a confidential consultation. We serve Tampa Bay and travel throughout Florida and beyond.
Mr. Orr is happy to answer your questions before you commit to scheduling. All inquiries are confidential.
Examination room at Paramount Plaza, 14502 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 33618
Accurate, confidential examinations for attorneys, businesses, law enforcement, and private individuals — conducted by a retired FBI Special Agent and DOD-trained polygraph examiner.
Examinations commissioned by defense attorneys to support legal proceedings. Mr. Orr's results have been admitted as evidence in U.S. Federal Court without stipulation.
Providing a credible, independent means to demonstrate truthfulness — backed by the weight of FBI-trained expertise and a track record of court-admitted results.
Examination of statements made by witnesses, suspects, or parties to a dispute — used by law enforcement, attorneys, and private clients.
Targeted examinations for businesses facing internal theft, fraud, or misconduct. Conducted in full compliance with the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988.
Examinations addressing allegations of professional misconduct in corporate, organizational, or employment contexts.
Pre-employment and security screening for law enforcement agencies, security companies, pharmaceutical firms, and other qualifying employers.
Suspect and witness testing, applicant screening, and law enforcement support, drawing on Mr. Orr's 27-year FBI career.
PCSOT examinations conducted by James T. Orr and Trish Orr (a PCAT graduate) in compliance with supervision and treatment requirements.
Sensitive examinations involving allegations of child abuse, domestic abuse, and related family law matters.
Examinations addressing drug use allegations in personal, employment, legal, or supervision contexts.
Examinations at prisons, law offices, and client locations. Mr. Orr has conducted exams across the U.S., Caribbean, Central and South America, and internationally.
Defense and civil litigation attorneys seeking independent polygraph evidence. Mr. Orr's reports have been admitted in state and federal courts.
Employee theft, internal fraud, misconduct investigations, and applicant screening for qualifying industries.
Background investigations, suspect and witness testing, and inter-agency support drawing on extensive FBI experience.
Contract investigative and polygraph work for local, state, and federal agencies, including past DIA contract work.
Confidential examinations for personal matters handled with the highest level of professionalism and discretion.
Examinations conducted abroad with interpreters. Experience in 20+ countries in support of FBI, DOJ, and State Department objectives.
A complete overview of James T. Orr's education, professional experience, certifications, awards, and continuing education in polygraph and law enforcement.
Receiving retirement credentials from FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III after 27 years of service.
A.A. in Law Enforcement, 1974 — Port Huron, Michigan
Graduated 1976 with top academic award — Oakland County, Michigan
B.S. in Criminal Justice, 1980 — Livonia, Michigan
Two years of part-time graduate studies toward a Master of Public Administration — degree not completed due to FBI employment and relocation
Basic Forensic Psychophysiology/Polygraph Examiner Course — Fort McClellan, Alabama. 14-week course, graduated April 1999. FBI Polygraph Examiner Certification awarded September 2000.
Over 1,000 hours of documented polygraph training and continuing education through the FBI, DOD, APA, AAPP, and Florida Polygraph Association.
Examination conducted in Spanish with an interpreter. Admitted as evidence at trial without stipulation under Federal Rule 702, following an evidentiary hearing on December 23, 2014.
Mr. Orr testified as an expert witness before Judge Honeywell prior to sentencing in a healthcare fraud case. Document 42, filed October 26, 2014.
Mr. Orr's polygraph report was admitted by Judge James D. Whittemore for mitigation purposes during sentencing for a post-conviction defendant. Featured in "Effective Defense Polygraphs," The Champion, August 2017.
Polygraph reports admitted by Judge Gregory A. Presnell in sentencing hearings for two defendants, demonstrating they had not committed perjury. Both received full cooperation credit at sentencing.
Prosecution stipulated to admission of polygraph report at evidentiary hearing in Miami. Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II admitted the report and granted co-defendant Dr. Mark G. Agresti a new trial.
Mr. Orr's examination was the final "very important" hurdle in the State Attorney's Justice Project review. Both examiners found Mr. James truthful on April 25, 2022. Judge Miguel de la O vacated all judgements and convictions on April 27, 2022. Mr. James was released after 32 years.
Testified remotely by video feed on April 21, 2023 regarding a November 14, 2022 polygraph examination for attorney Ariel Reck, concerning a professional soccer player's positive test for a FIFA-banned substance.
Testified before Judge Melissa Souto regarding a polygraph examination of Masudi Kisitu on an allegation of sexual assault. Judge Souto admitted the polygraph evidence and the case was dismissed.
Testified via Zoom before Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas in a departure hearing regarding his September 11, 2025 examination of Maor Arbili. The judge cited the polygraph examination as part of the basis for a sentencing departure.
Testified at a Daubert Hearing before Magistrate Judge Ellen D'Angelo regarding a polygraph examination of Mr. Bentley concerning the voluntariness of CBP's search of his electronic devices entering the United States through Miami.
Professional associations, accrediting bodies, and resources related to polygraph examination.
The world's largest and most respected polygraph organization. Sets the accreditation standards for polygraph schools and training programs. Mr. Orr is a full member.
polygraph.orgNational professional association for law enforcement polygraph examiners. Mr. Orr is a full member and two-time recipient of the Region V Richard O. Arther Director's Award.
policepolygraph.orgFlorida's professional polygraph association. Mr. Orr is an FPA Certified Polygrapher and currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Recipient of the 2022 FPA Outstanding Achievement Award.
floridapolygraph.orgFormerly the Department of Defense Polygraph Institute, where Mr. Orr completed his basic polygraph training in 1999. The premier U.S. government polygraph training facility.
ncca.milAPA-accredited and AAPP-recognized polygraph school in Cape Coral, Florida. Mr. Orr served as Senior Polygraph Instructor from April 2016 to March 2026.
peakcat.comProfessional organization for retired FBI Special Agents. Mr. Orr is a full member of the National and Suncoast Chapters.
socxfbi.orgFlorida's licensing authority for polygraph examiners. Verify licensee status for any Florida examiner.
fdacs.govPublished "Effective Defense Polygraphs" by Christopher Kerr in The Champion (August 2017), featuring three cases in which Mr. Orr's polygraph examinations were admitted in U.S. Federal Court.
nacdl.org