Module: Lie Detection Techniques (3/1)

CHAPTER VI
THE EXAMINER AND THE SUBJECT

At the end of this chapter the students should be able to learn:

 Define polygraph examiners and work;
 Describe the person who undergo in lie detection test.

Who are Polygraph Examiners?

Today, some polygraph

examiners refers to be called Forensic
Psychophysiologist (FP)
because only FP and the subject
(examinee) are present in the
examination room, his or her behavior
greatly influences the results of the
PVE. Although, polygraph examiners
are referred to as
polygraphists and lie
detector specialists. The FP has several tasks in performing PVE:

1. Collecting facts of the case

2. Formulating questions

3. Setting up the interrogation room and the polygraph

4. Profiling and preparing the subject being tested

5. Asking questions

6. Chart marking

7. Chart probing

8. Chart interpretation
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There are many schools around USA that have been set up to train people to
conduct polygraph examinations. One of these schools is the Axciton International
Academy, which was started by Clarence D. Lee. The school is accredited by APA
and certified by the American Association of Police Polygraphists (AAPP).

Following the completion of these requirements, the student becomes a

polygraphist and may obtain a license in his or her state requires one. There is no
standardized test that all polygraph examiners must pass in order to practice.

Basic to all that has been said with regards to the utilization and accuracy of the
polygraph technique is the matter of the examiner qualifications and skills.

An examiner must be an intelligent person, with reasonably good educational

background – preferably college degree. He should have an intense interest in the
work itself, a good practical understanding of human nature, and suitable personality
traits which may be evident from his otherwise general ability to “get along” with people
and to be well liked by his friends and associates. No amount of training or experienced
will overcome the lack of these necessary qualifications.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD EXAMINER/INTERROGATOR

1. Patience- there are times or instances that’s subject could be

questioned for one day or more. Never interrogate a subject when you are in a
hurry. Never race against time.

2. The interrogator must be master psychologist. He must be good reader

of acts of men.

3. The interrogator must be friendly and avoid arrogance. Try to feel the
subject that you are superior to him. You should be friendly to gain confidence.
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4. Never bluff. Never deceive the subject. Never promise the subject
anything that you can never fulfill. Be sincere to the subject.

5. He must be able to talk on all subjects under the sun, this is important
in order to make the subject talk more of the case.

6. The examiner must be courteous and gentle at all times. This is

important to gain the respect of the subject.

7. He must be resourceful.

8. He must be firm. Must not be swayed by emotions of the subject. He

must not cry when the subjects starts to cry or laugh.

9. Dress formally when interrogating a subject. Never interrogate a

subject in a police uniform.

10. Use clean and understandable language.

THE POLYGRAPH EXAMINER SHOULD KNOW THE FOLLOWING:

1. A complete physical description of the subject to determine the

technique to be used (as for example the subject is deaf or blind).
2. The complete history of the subject.

3. Experience, training, and educational attainment of the subject (to make

the subject talk to himself).
4. A brief synopsis of the case (fact of he case so the examiner can
formulate the questioners).
5. Reason why the subject is to be interrogated.
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Attitude and Conduct of an Investigation of a suspect or witness, the interrogator

must observe the following:

1. The interrogator should avoid creating an impression that he is an

investigator seeking a confession or conviction. It is better for him to appear in
the role of one who is merely seeking the truth.
2. Such realistic words or expressions as “kill” “steal”, “confess” your crime,
etc.

3. The interrogator should sit fairly close to the subject and between the
two; there would not be a table to other pieces furniture.
4. The interrogator should avoid facing about the room. To give undirected
attention to the person being interrogated, make it as such that will be more
difficult for him to evade detection of deception or conceals his guilt.
5. The interrogator should avoid or at least minimize smoking and should
also refrain from fumbling with a pencil pen or other room accessories for all this
tend to create an impression of lack of interest or confidence.
6. The interrogator should adopt his language to that used and understood
by the subject himself. I dealing with an uneducated and ignorant, the interrogator
should use simple words and sentences.
7. Since the interrogator should always occupy a fearless position with
regards to his subject and to the condition and circumstances attending the
interview, the subject should not be handcuff or shackled during his presence in
the interrogation. The interrogator should face the subject as “man” and as man
prisoner.

Is the result of PVE admissible as court evidence?

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In most cases, polygraph evidence is used during pre-trial investigation and

preparations rather than during the actual trial.

In the OJ Simpson civil trial, the result of a polygraph were admitted into evidence.
This established a precedent across US allowing polygraph examinations in civil trials
such as divorce cases.

In the Philippine Setting, PVE using the polygraph is not fully developed. The following
are the reasons why at this stage results of PVE are not admissible as evidence in the
Philippine trial courts:

a. Qualifications of the polygraph examiners are not standardized

b. PVE using the polygraph is not standardized.

c. No standard instrumentation.

WHO USES POLYGRAPH MACHINES?

1. In US, polygraph services are often used in government agencies such

as:

a. National Security Agency

b. Intelligence Agencies (CIA, etc.)

c. State Law Enforcement Agency

d. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies (FBI)

e. Local Law Enforcement Agencies (Police and Sheriff

Department)

2. In the legal community, polygraph services are used by the:

a. US Attorney Offices
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b. District Attorney Offices

c. Public Defense Offices

d. Parole and Probation Department

e. Private Prosecutors

3. Polygraph services can also be used in the private sector such as the:

a. Companies and Corporations within the bounds of the law (EPPA

of 1988)

b. Marital and family counselors to alleviate fears and prove

innocence of spouse and family members
c. Private citizens on matters not involving the legal or criminal
justice.

KINDS OF PEOPLE TO BE INTERROGATED

A. Suspect - Offenders of society who are presumed to have committed the crime.

B. Complainants - Are those persons who are offended by the suspects.

C. Witnesses - A person who knows something about the crime.

TYPES OF SUBJECT FOR LIE DETECTION OR INTERROGATION IN CRIMINAL

CASES:

I. SUBJECT WHOSE GUILT IS DEFINITE OR REASONABLE

A. Emotional Offenders
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1. Person who commit crimes in the heat of passion, anger or revenge

[homicide injuries, etc.]
2. Persons whose offenses are accidental in nature like hit and run
motorist. Emotional offenders have a feeling of remorse, mental anguish as a
result of his act. HE is bothered by his conscience and has difficulty of resting
or sleeping.

Techniques for this kind of Subject

a. Display an air of confidence on the subjects guilt

b. Pint out the circumstantial evidence indicative of guilt

c. Call attention to the subjects psychological and physiological symptoms

of guilt.

d. Sympathize with the subject by telling him that anyone else under similar
conditions or circumstances have committed similar offense.
e. Reduce a subject feeling by minimizing the moral seriousness of the
offense.

f. Sympathize with the subject by condemning his victim or his accomplice,

or anyone else whom some degree of responsibility might conceivably be
placed for the commission of the crime in question.
g. Express friendship in arguing with the subject to tell the truth by:

1. Extend external sympathy by such friendly gestures as a pat on

the shoulder or knee, or by a grip of the hand
2. Tell the subject to tell the truth for the sake of his own conscience;
or moral well-being, as well as because it is the only decent and
honorable thing to do.
3. Urge the subject to tell the truth for the sake of his own
conscience; or moral well-being, as for the sake of everybody
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concerned, and also because it is the only decent and honorable thing
to do.
4. Let the subject talk of his misfortune and troubles in general, listen
and console as a very mush interested and understanding friend.
h. Indicate to the subject, as a reason for telling the truth the possibility of
exaggeration on the part of his accuser.
I. Seek a general admission of guilt. First ask the subject a question as to some
detail pertaining to the offense.

B. Non-Emotional Offenders
These are persons who commit crimes for financial gain, theft, robbery, killing
for money, or more, particular persons who are repeaters. These offenders have no
moral guilt not troubled by conscience. They do not wake up at night. His only concern
is that will he be going to be caught.

Techniques for non-emotional offenders:

a. Point out the fertility of resistance

b. Appeal to the subject’s prude by well-selected flattery, or by a challenge

to his honor.
c. Point out the subject the grave consequence and fertility of a
continuation of his offensive behavior.
d. When unsuccessful in obtaining a confession regarding the offense in
question seek [for use a wedge-to crowd or compress]
e. When co-offenders are being interrogated and the previously described
techniques have been found to be ineffective “Play one against the other” [point
out that among one of them has already admitted his guilt and implicit him in
the offense]
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II. SUSPECT WHOSE GUILT IS DOUBTFUL OR UNCERTAIN

Techniques in interrogating this kind of offenders

1. Create a situation [fishing technique question]

2. Detect the clues of deception

3. Try to determine what crimes these subject/person has committed.

4. Never agree or condemn the subject 5. Create in the subject at belief

relationship.
6. Understand the subject’s point of view.

7. Confidence and belief relationship should come before empathy.

8. Have interest in personal problem of the subject.

9. Establish relationship. Never be little the subject.

10. There should be no criticism [never condemn the person or anybody

else]

11. Feedback is intended to keep the subject talking.

12. Never criticize the subject.

Types or kinds of subject for polygraph test

1. Subject whose guilt is definite or reasonably certain.

a. Emotional Offender.

1. Person who commit crimes I the beat of passion.

2. Person whose offense is of accidental in nature.

b. Non-emotional Offender

1. Person who commit crimes for financial gain.

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2. Subject whose guilt is doubtful or uncertain.

The (3) General Types of Subjects.

1. Victim or complainant

2. Witness

3. Suspect

NOTE: All Subjects must be in good physical and mental condition before
he/she may be submitted for polygraph Examination. The following may not be
submitted for Polygraph Test:

1. Person who has extreme nervousness.

2. Person who has physiological abnormalities

such as high blood pressure/hypertension, heart disease,
respiratory disorder, toothaches, severe headaches and practically any painful
ailments.
3. Person with mental abnormality.

4. Unresponsive persons, such as person who suffer mental fatique or

under the influenced of drugs or alcohol.

KINDS OF SUBJECT IN POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION

B. AS TO AGE
7-12 Years Old: Fantastic Stage of Subject
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13-19 Years Old: Fantastic and Reality Stage of

Subject o Association to gang/groups o Age of
imitation and idolatry
o Most juvenile delinquents are
at this stage o Ego is developed
20-25 years old: Ego of the Subject Begins to Lessen o
They realize that they are not that important persons
o They begin to be adults o They become
responsible
o At this stage girls start to
marry o They begin to be sociable

26-60 Years Old: They Can be the Best

Witnesses o He begin to realize his place
in the society o Materialistic
o They are already matured o
Temper begins to lessen

61 Years Old to Death o Begin to act like

children o Memories are like children o
Senses are already defective o They are
not quite good witnesses o They need
respect from others o They are irritable
and sensitive o Become more religious
o Preparation to death o Beginning to
tell experiences of the pass

TYPES OF LIAR
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PANIC LIAR. Is one who lies in

order to avoid the consequences of
A.
confession for he believes that
confession will just make the matter
worst. The person is afraid of
embarrassment to love ones and it is
serious blow to his/her ego..

B.

OCCUPATIONAL LIAR. Is someone who has lied for spare

years. He is the kind of person which is called a practical liar and lies when it
has higher “pay off” than telling the truth.

C. TOURNAMENT LIAR. This is the type of liar where the person lies
because it is the only weapon remaining to defend his side. This person realizes
that he or she will probably be convicted but will not give anyone the satisfaction
of hearing his confessions. He wants that people will believe that the law
punishes an innocent person.

D. PSYCHOPATHIC LIAR. The type of liar that is considered the most

difficult one for the person has no conscience and shows no regret for dishonest
and no manifestation of guilt.

E. ETHOLOGICAL LIAR. Is one who was taught not to be a squealer. This

kind of liar is usually coming from the underworld gang in order for the member
not to reveal any secret of their organization.
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F. PATHOLOGICAL LIAR. Refers to a person who cannot really

distinguish right from wrong. Sometimes, other professional authors of book
refers to an insane person or to a person whose mind is sick.

G. BLACK LIAR. Is a person who always pretends. It also refers to those

persons who keep on adding remarks to themselves.
KINDS OF LIE

1. BENIGN OR WHITE LIE. The kind of lie that is used to maintain the
harmony of friendship, relationship in the home and or office.

2. RED LIE. The kind of lie of a person that has something to do with
communist propaganda that is against the government of the country.

3. MALICIOUS LIE. The kind of lie that has the purpose of misleading the
justice in favor of himself or towards other persons. It is sometimes called
chronic lie for it is done occasionally accompanied by plots and plans.

OTHER TYPES OF LIE INCLUDES:

1. Direct Denial

2. Lie of Omission

3. Lie of fabrication

4. Lie of Minimization

5. Lie of Exaggeration

SOME OF THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF LYING ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Blushing (to blush to become red, as in the cheeks, from shame or
confusion)
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2. Twitching of the lips (short, sudden quick short spasmodic contraction of

the fibers or muscles
3. Squinting of the eyes (looking obliquely)

4. Failure to look the inquirer “straight to the eye”

5. A peculiar monotone of the voice

6. A forced laugh

7. A counter inquiry saying “who me”?

8. Unnecessary request for repetition of question

9. Movement of the hands and feel exhibiting a state of uneasiness.

a. Flight from interrogation room

b. Fear of detection

10. Increased activity of the Adam’s apple and many reactions of similar
nature.

11. Unusual perspiration /Excessive sweating

12. Dryness of the mouth

13. Rapid breathing

14. Unusual blood pressure

15. Fidgeting (restless motion) of the hands.

16. Stammering

17. Swearing before God that he did not commit a crime

18. Subjects refuses to answer questions

19. Subject is absent- minded

20. Pointing his guilt to somebody else.

21. Subject reference marks (i.e. “I’m honorable person how could I do that)
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22. Subject often ask permission by gong to a certain place like a comfort
room. Etc.

23. Subject: reuses to answer the questions directly by offering alibis (i.e
“Wait a minute why do you have to ask that question?” “How I answer that I was
in Cavite at the time?”)
24. Not that I remember (question) expression.

25. Spotless past record religious man.

The reason why some people are better liar than the other is that others are not
very much disturbed over the telling of the lie. They are better and able to control their
emotional disturbances produced by lying and thus avoid display of the outward
indications exhibited by persons less fortified with these essential of successful lying.

THE EXAMINATION ROOM

The Polygraph Test must be conducted in a quiet, private semi-sound-proof

room. Extraneous noises, such as the ringing of the telephone or the conversation of
persons outside the examination room, or the presence of investigators or other
spectators in the room itself, would induce disturbances and distractions that in turn
would distort the various physiological recording and seriously interfere with a
satisfactory polygraph diagnosis. It should be very conservative as to painted wall and
furniture. It should contain no ornaments, pictures, or other objects which would in any
way distract the attention of the person being examined. It should be properly
ventilated with an even comfortable temperature. There should have an observation
room adjoining with the examination room equipped with one-way.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EXAMINATION ROOM

1. It must be semi-sound proof room.

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2. Free from extraneous noises.

3. No other spectators allowed in the room.

4. No conversation of persons outside the examination room.

5. No ringing of telephones, pagers or cellular phones.

6. The arresting officer should be kept out.

7. It should contain no ornaments, picture or other objects.

8. The subject should not face a glass window or another room during the
test because of the possible destruction, which may affect test responses.
9. The lightning fixture of the room should be arranging in such a way to
provide good but not excessive glaring illumination.
10. Should be adequately ventilated, with an even and comfortable
temperature.

11. There should be an observation room or a one way mirror or the

arrangement should be similar to a psychology laboratory. It should be concealed
with an equipped microphone, camera, video cameras, so that outside the
observation room can hear a well as see what occurs on the examination room.
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TOPICS VIDEO LINKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po_DCBGExP4
How it Works: Polygraph Test

Types of Liars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3EofCi1fhc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stL-KaO4SYE
7 Subtle Body Language
Signs of Lying

References:
King-eo, Chester (2006). Introduction to Specific Lie Detection. Unpublished notes from the
University of the Cordilleras: Baguio City http://www.truthverifier.com.html
http://wwwpolytest.org/polyfaq.htm