WHAT TAKES PLACE DURING PURPOSE OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION USES OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION? The primary purpose of the examination is to 1. It serves as investigative aid for the
When a person is under the influence of physical determine the truth or deception based on the investigators to:
exertion or emotional stimuli such as anger, excitement,
fear, telling a lie, etc. stimuli, the sympathetic will
presence of emotional disturbances of the a. confirm the statements of victims
prevail and override the parasympathetic. subject appearing on the recorded physiological b. ascertain the credibility of witnesses
responses to question relative to the case under c. asses the truthfulness of suspects.
Therefore, there will be changes in the heart rate, pulse investigation. 2. It speeds up the process of investigation
rate, blood pressure, respiratory tracing. 3. It eliminates innocent subjects
psychogalvanic reflexes, time of response to a
question, voice tracing. etc.

The parasympathetic nervous system works to bring

back things to normal when the conditions of stress
have been removed.
OBJECTIVES OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION LIMITATIONS OF THE SUBJECT TO HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORKS?
1. Determine if the subject is telling the truth by UNDERGO POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION 1. The examiner receives and reviews the facts
verifying statements and comparing conflicting of the case.
reports. 2. Acquire additional investigative leads 1. The subject must have a good night's sleep at 2. The examiner explains the test process to the
to the facts of an offense. least five (5) hours before the test. subject and reviews the facts of the case during
3. Locate fruits or tools of crime or whereabouts 2. The subject must refrain from smoking for at the pre-test interview.
of wanted persons. least two (2) hours before the test. 3. The examiner designs the specific questions
4. Identify the other persons involved. 3. The subject should not undergo prolonged and reads each item to the subject to make sure
5. Gain valuable information from an unwilling interrogation before the test. each one is easily understood.
subject. 4. The subject must not have been subjected to 4. The polygraph instrument is attached to the
physical abuse or body contact. subject's body, and he is given an additional
5. The subject must refrain from drinking instruction.
alcoholic beverages or any drugs 12 hours
before the test.
FACTORS THAT WILL CONTRIBUTI TO THE CONDITIONS WHICH WOULD INVALIDATE A CHECKLIST ON REQUEST FOR POLYGRAPH
SUCCESSFUL USE OF POLYGRAPH POLYGRAPH TEST ASSISTANCE
A highly trained and experienced polygraph Extreme nervousness or emotional tension The investigator on the case should first consult
examiner. Physiological abnormalities Mental abnormalities the polygraph examiner on the following:
A reliable instrument. Unresponsiveness
A well planned interrogation room. Good - Necessity of the test
teamwork by the investigator. polygraph -Requirements for the test
examiner and their -Selection of subjects
superiors. -Specific area to be resolved, and
-Scheduling of the test and the subject
CHECKLIST ON REQUEST FOR POLYGRAPH FOUR PHASES INVOLVED IN THE CONDUCT PHASE I. INITIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE
ASSISTANCE OF POLYGRAPH EXAM INVESTIGATOR HANDLING THE
- A written request for the test is required CASE
- The investigator on the case should hand carry PHASE I INITIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE 1. Acquiring and evaluating the facts.
the request to the polygraph examiner in order INVESTIGATOR HANDLING THE CASE 2. Determining the areas the subject needs to be
that he can personally inform the latter of the PHASE II. PRE-TEST INTERVIEW asked.
details and verified facts of the case. PHASE III. THE ACTUAL TEST: THE 3. The investigator must furnish the examiner
-The investigator should likewise accompany the CONDUCT OF INSTRUMENTATION with the necessary
subject on the date and time of the test and stay PHASE IV. POST TEST documents.
there until the examination will be completed. INTERVIEW/INTERROGATION
PHASE II. PRE-TEST INTERVIEW RIGHTS OF THE SUBJECT The average polygraph test will usually last 2-3
1. The appraisal of the subject's constitutional 1. To be examined by a qualified examiner. hours from, beginning to end. Most people don't
rights 2. To be determined if fit for the examination realize the longest part of theexamination will be
2. Obtain the subject's consent to undergo 3. To be informed of the reason for the lie the 45-90 minute "pretest interview.
polygraph test by signing the statement of detector test.
consent. 4. To have an explanation of the lie detector During the pretest interview, the examiner will:
3. The taking of personal data of the subject. machine and what it does.
4. Determine his suitability as the subject 5. To give consent to the subject about the test. -give detailed instructions for the actual testing
5. Clinical observation of the subject. 6. Not to be compelled to undergo prolonged phase, and confirm the examinees
6. Evaluating the psychological evaluation of the questioning. understanding of these
subject. 7. Not to be exposed to oral criticism or abuse. -define the subjects legal rights
7. Informing the subject of his involvement in the 8. Not to be exposed to physical, mental, -explain the polygraph equipment and how it
case investigated. psychological abuse, and works
9. To refuse to submit to the lie detector test.
PHASE III. THE ACTUAL TEST: THE PHASE IV. POST TEST INTERVIEW/ PHASE
CONDUCT OF INSTRUMENTATION INTERROGATION phase 1. initial To obtain accurate
-After the pre-test interview, the examiner will -If there are significant fluctuations that show up interview with the information
proceed to place the attachment of polygraph on the polygraph test result that may signal the investigator handling concerning all the
components on the subject. subject has been deceptive, especially if the the case available facts and
-In practice, the first to be attached is the person displayed similar responses to the circumstances.
pneumograph, followed by the question that was repeatedly asked, the
cardiosphygmograph and the galvanograph. examiner will then proceed to conduct short phase 2 pre-test To prepare or
-Review all the questions being prepared with interrogation. interview condition the subject
the subject before the actual examination is for the test.
conducted. -The purpose of this is to obtain confession or To place the
-The examiner should discourage any lengthy admission. phase 3. the actual attachment of
comments or statements by the subject -However, if the chart of the polygraph indicates test: the conduct of polygraph
respecting the matter of incident under that the subject is innocent, the examiner will instrumentation components on the
investigation or his disclaimer of responsibility just release the subject cordially and thanks subject
for it. him/her for the cooperation shown. phase 4. post test To obtain confession
or admission.
CHART PROBING Q: CAN A PERSON BE COMPELLED TO Q: IS THERE A BEST TIME OF THE DAY TO
-Shall be done every after the taking of each UNDERGO LIE DETECTOR TEST? CONDUCT A POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION?
chart. The examiner shows the recorded result
to the subject with a brief explanation as to the -In as much as the test requires the subject to -Yes.
significance of the recorded reactions. answer the question either by YES or NO, it Since the person must test to be capable of the
infers the use of intelligence and attention or maximum reactions (for scoring purposes), that
-He points out the dissimilarities between other mental faculties, which is self- person should be well-rested before the
reactions accompanying irrelevant and incriminatory. examination. In other words, testing conducted
relevant questions. The examiner informs the in the morning will be more productive than
subject that the probing being is necessary in -Therefore, you cannot compel a person to be those examinations conducted in the later in the
order for the test to be objective. subjected to the test. day.
Q: CAN A PERSON BELOW 18 YEARS OF Q: CAN MEDICATION AFFECT THE RESULT Q: CAN A PREGNANT PERSON BE
AGE-QUALIFIED TO BE A SUBJECT FOR A OF THE EXAMINATION? TESTED?
POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION? -Yes, any drug or medication that suppresses -Yes, a pregnant person can become a subject
-Yes, but the examiner must first have the regular activity of the CNS will reduce the of the polygraph examination. If the fetus is
consent of the parents or any guardian of the strength of reactions found on the polygraph making excessive movements inside the womb
person below 18. charts, resulting in a higher likelihood of or causing pain to the mother during the test, the
inconclusive result. test should be stopped or should not begin.
-However, most examiners will not test anyone
who is less than 12 years of age, except for
extraordinary
circumstances.