FBI-Trained Polygraph.
Unmatched Credentials.
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.
American Polygraph Association
American Association of Police Polygraphists
Florida Polygraph Association
Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI
A Career Built on Truth
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, and later James Orr Investigations, 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.
Teaching & Professional Leadership
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.
Notable Cases
United States v. Angulo Mosquera — Admitted at Trial Without Stipulation
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.
United States v. Pierre, Altidor & Louis — Full Cooperation Credit Preserved
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.
United States v. Bailynson et al. — New Trial Granted
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.
Thomas Raynard James — Conviction Vacated After 32 Years
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.
FIFA/Professional Soccer Drug-Test Dispute
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.
Sexual Assault Allegation — Injunction Dissolved
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.
Departure Hearing — Judge Cited Polygraph as Basis for Departure
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.
Daubert Hearing — U.S.A. v. Eugene Bentley
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.
Our Services
Two distinct professional practices — one examiner with 40+ years of law enforcement experience behind both.
Polygraph Examinations
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.
Confidential personal examinations handled with complete discretion.
Sensitive examinations for family law and domestic allegations.
Available at prisons, law offices, and client locations across the U.S. and abroad.
Private Investigation
Employment, business partners, rental applicants, elder care, and personal due diligence.
Workers' comp, personal injury, insurance fraud, and theft of time or services.
Physical surveillance and video evidence gathering with professional courtroom testimony.
Comprehensive sweeps of buildings and vehicles for bugs and hidden devices.
Expert consulting by a career FBI Special Agent with unique credentials in these fields.
Locating spouses, children, heirs, debtors, and fugitives using professional investigative methods.
Contract investigator for Hillsborough County Attorney's and Administrator's Offices.
Polygraph support integrated seamlessly with investigative work for attorneys and agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact James T. Orr
Reach out for a confidential consultation. We serve Tampa Bay and travel throughout Florida and beyond.
Tampa Polygraph Services, LLC
Mr. Orr is happy to answer your questions before you commit to scheduling. All inquiries are confidential.
14502 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 200
Tampa, Florida 33618
Examination room at Paramount Plaza, 14502 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Suite 200, Tampa, FL 33618