Police, Levys Skeptical of Condit Polygraph

W A S H I N G T O N, July 14 -- Police and relatives of Chandra Levy are skeptical of a polygraph test given to Rep. Gary Condit by his lawyer, as they continue to search for answers in the mysterious disappearance of the former Washington intern.

Though Condit's lawyer announced Friday that the congressman took and passed a private polygraph test administered by a respected expert, police expressed doubt about the legitimacy of an exam given by someone unfamiliar with the Levy investigation.

Police say a reliable exam requires the examiner to know details of the case — something that can only come from investigators.In particular, sources tell ABCNEWS police would want to ask Condit detailed questions about his relationship with Levy and his contacts with her just before her disappearance.

"I've never been involved in a polygraph exam … where the polygrapher didn't want to know the [police investigation] facts," said Washington assistant police chief Terrance Gainer. "So this is a bit self-serving."

Condit's lawyer Abbe Lowell said Condit had not been deceptive in denying knowledge of Levy's whereabouts or disappearance. The test was administered by former FBI special agent Barry Colvert, but police had been negotiating with Lowell to get Condit to take an FBI-administered test.

"We had had conversations about the polygraph, and we wanted to ask the questions," Gainer said.

While police were frustrated at Condit's surprise move, they also are continuing to explore other theories about Levy's disappearance.

Law enforcement sources tell ABCNEWS police are looking into whether any convicted sexual offenders recently had been released in the area around Levy's apartment building. These same sources say police also are conducting more exhaustive background checks on residents of her building and on people who frequented the sports club where she was a member.

ABCNEWS has learned computer records are giving police a clearer picture of Levy's final day in her apartment. A senior law enforcement official said police have information that Levy was sending e-mails from her apartment to family and friends between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET on May 1, and that nothing in those messages indicated a state of mind that was anything but upbeat and happy.