Polygraphy

The Science of Lie Detection

Polygraphy

The Science of Lie Detection

Operational Terms

POLYGRAPH – is an instrument for the recording of

changes in blood pressure; pulse rate, respiration
and skin resistance as indication of emotional
disturbances especially of lying when questioned.

The word was derived from the word POLY means

“many” and GRAPHS means “writing chart”.
Operational Terms

POLYGRAPHY – it is the scientific method of

detecting deception, using a polygraph machine.

FEAR – is emotional response to specific danger

that appears to beyond a persons defensive power.

STIMULUS – is a force or motion reaching the

organism and excites the receptors.
Operational Terms

REACTION – it is an action in mental attitude evokes by

external influence.

DECEPTION – is an act of deceiving or misleading usually

accompanied by lying.

DETECTION – It is an act of discovery of existence,

presence of fact or something hidden or obscure.

LYING – the uttering or conveying of falsehood or creating a

false or misleading information with the intention of affecting
wrongfully the acts and opinion of other.
Operational Terms

RESPONSE – is any activity or inhibition of the previous

activity of an organism resulting from stimulation.

SPECIFIC RESPONSE – is any deviation from the normal

tracing of the subject.

NORMAL TRACING – is a tracing on the chart wherein

the subject answered in the irrelevant question.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINER – is one who conducts and

administer the test.
Operational Terms

CHART OR POLYGRAMS – refers to the

composite records of pneumograph,
Galvanograph and cardiosphygmograph
tracings recorded from series of questions.

Subject – refers to the person being

examined.
Early Methods of detecting
deception

Trial by Combat

Trial by Ordeal

Trial by Iron Hot Ordeal

Ordeal by Balance

Ordeal of Rice Chewing

Donkey’s Tall Ordeal

Polygraph

The polygraph is used to test or question

individuals for the purpose of detecting
deception or verifying truth of statements
through a visual, permanent and
simultaneous recording of a person’s
cardiovascular and respiratory pattern as a
minimum instrumentation requirement.
A polygraph (commonly referred to as a lie detector) is an instrument
that measures and records several physiological responses such as:
blood pressure,
pulse,
respiration and
skin conductivity

while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions, on the

basis that false answers will produce distinctive measurements. The
polygraph measures physiological changes caused by the
sympathetic nervous system during questioning.
 Within the U.S. federal government, a
polygraph examination is also referred to as a
PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL DETECTION OF
DECEPTION (PDD) examination. Several
other technologies are also used in the field of
lie detection, but the polygraph is the most
famous.
History

The idea that lying produces physical side-effects

has long been claimed. In West Africa persons
suspected of a crime were made to pass a bird's
egg to one another. If a person broke the egg, then
he or she was considered guilty, based on the idea
that their nervousness was to blame. In ancient China
the suspect held a handful of rice in his or her mouth
during a prosecutor's speech. Since salivation was
believed to cease at times of emotional anxiety, the
person was considered guilty if by the end of that
speech the rice was dry.
1895

Cesare Lombroso, an Italian scientist,

employed the first scientific instrument to
detect deception – HYDROSPHYMOGRAPH,
measured changes in pulse and blood
pressure when suspects were questioned
about their involvement of a specific offense.
1914

VITTORIO BENUSSI successfully detected

deception with a PNEUMOGRAPH – an
instrument that graphically measures an
examinee’s inhalation and exhalation.
Benussi thus demonstrated that changes in
breathing patterns accompany deception.
1917

Further research by WILLIAM MARSTON in

1917 dealt with the SPHYGMOMANOMETER,
which was used to obtain periodic
discontinuous blood pressure readings during
the course of an examination.
1920

A device recording both blood-pressure and

galvanic skin response was invented
in 1920 by Dr. John A. Larson of the
University of California and first applied in law
enforcement work by the Berkeley Police
Department under its nationally renowned
police chief August Vollmer
. Further work on this device was done by
Leonarde Keeler.[2] The first time the
term "polygraph" was used was in 1906 by
James MacKenzie in his invention the "ink
polygraph," which was used for medical
reasons.
Makenzie wrote a second paper on the concept in 1915, when
finishing his undergraduate studies. He entered Harvard Law School and
graduated in 1918, re-publishing his earlier work in 1917.[3]
According to their son, Marston's wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston, was
also involved in the development of the systolic blood-pressure test:
"According to Marston’s son, it was his mother Elizabeth, Marston’s
wife, who suggested to him that 'When she got mad or excited, her
blood pressure seemed to climb' (Lamb, 2001). Although Elizabeth is
not listed as Marston’s collaborator in his early work, Lamb, Matte
(1996), and others refer directly and indirectly to Elizabeth’s work on
her husband’s deception research. She also appears in a picture
taken in his polygraph laboratory in the 1920s (reproduced in
Marston, 1938)."[4][5] The comic book character, Wonder Woman by
William Marston (and influenced by Elizabeth Marston[6][7] ) carries a
magic lasso which was modelled upon the systolic blood-pressure
test.[8][6]
Marston was the self proclaimed “father of the
polygraph” despite his predecessor's contributions.
Marston remained the device's primary advocate,
lobbying for its use in the courts. In 1938 he
published a book, The Lie Detector Test, wherein he
documented the theory and use of the device.[9] In
1938 he appeared in advertising by the Gillette
company claiming that the polygraph showed
Gillette razors were better than the
competition.[10][11][12]
CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH

CESARE LOMBROSO – accorded as the

first person that utilizes instrument in
detecting deception.
His basis in detecting deception is by
measuring the blood pressure and pulse
rate.
This is known as
HYDROSPHYGMOGRAPH
ANGELO MOSSO – he stated that FEAR
influenced the heart and could be use as a
basis for detecting deception. He uses
sphygmanometer and scientific radio to study
fear
DR. WILLIAM MARSTON – he conducted
numerous tests for detecting deception and
utilizes the change in systolic pressure to
determine deception.
He also developed his own method of reading
systolic blood pressure.
Self proclaim father of polygraph

23
JOHN A. LARSON – the real “Father of lie
detection”.
The present polygraph machine is attributed
to him. He is the en who develop and study to
record at the same time the responses of the
blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration
GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT

STICKER – he introduced the method of

detecting deception from the galvanic
impression on the chart tracing.

VERGUTH – he used the word

PSYCHOGALVANIC reflex. He believed that
electrical phenomena are due to the activity
of sweat glands, and such activity is known
as “psychogalvanic”.
PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT

VITTORIO BENUSSI – he noted changes in

inhalation ratio during indications of
deceptions.
LEONARD KEELER

he device a metal recording bellows; rolled

chart paper.

In 1949, he incorporated Galvanograph with

measurement of blood pressure and
respiration into a portable case.
The four Major components

PNEUMOGRAPH
CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH COMPONENT
GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT
KEYMOGRAPH COMPONENT
Today, polygraph examiners use two types of
instrumentation:
analog
computerized

In the United States, same in the Philippines, most

examiners now use computerized instrumentation.
 An analog polygraph instrument
Most analog polygraphs are being replaced by digital devices.

Today, most polygraph exams are administered with digital equipment like this.
The polygraph instrument has undergone a
dramatic change in the last decade. For many
years, polygraphs were those instruments that you
see in the movies with little needles scribbling
lines on a single strip of scrolling paper. These are
called analog polygraphs. Today, most polygraph
tests are administered with digital equipment. The
scrolling paper has been replaced with
sophisticated algorithms and computer monitors.
Modern scientific methods have been devised
utilizing knowledge of physiology, psychology,
pharmacology, toxicology, etc. in determining
whether a subject is telling the truth or not.
Although a scientific method of deception
detection have not yet attain legal recognition to
have their results admissible as an evidence in
court, they have been considered very useful as
aids in criminal investigation.
Methods of deception detection

1. Devices which record the psycho-physiological

response.

2. Use of drugs that try to inhibit the inhibitor

3. Hypnotism

4. By observation

5. Scientific Interrogation

6. Confession
Recording the Psycho physiological
Response:

The nervous control of the human body

includes the central nervous system (the
brain and the spinal cord) and the autonomic
or regulating nervous system (sympathetic
and parasympathetic). The central nervous
system primarily controls the motor and
sensory functions that occur at or above the
threshold. It maybe voluntary.
The autonomic nervous system acts as a
self-regulating autonomic response of the
body.
The autonomic nervous system is composed
of two complimentary branches: the
sympathetic and the parasympathetic
nervous system, acting opposite each other.
The fibers of both enervate all organs where
self-regulation is essential
When a person is under the influence of
physical (exertion) or emotional (anger,
excitement, fear, lie detection, etc.) stimuli, the
sympathetic will dominate and over-ride the
parasympathetic, thus there will be a changes
in the heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure,
respiratory tracing, psycho galvanic reflexes,
time of response to question, voice tracing,
etc.
The parasympathetic nervous system works to
restore things to normal when the conditions of
stress have been removed. It is the dominant
branch when the condition is normal and the subject
is calm, contented and relaxed.

The recording of some of the psycho-physiological

reaction of a subject when he is subjected to a
series of questions, and the scientific interpretation
by trained experts are the basis of the tests.
Word Association Test

A list of stimulus and non-stimulus words are read

to the subject who is instructed to answer as
quickly as possible.

The answer to the questions may be a “yes” or a

“no”.

Unlike the lie detector , the time interval between

the words uttered by the examiner and the answer
of the subject is recorded.
When the subject is asked questions with reference
to his name, address, civil status, nationality, ect.
Which has no relation to the subject-matter of the
investigation, the tendency is to answer quickly.

But when the questions bear some words which

have to do with the criminal acts the subject
allegedly committed, like knife, gun, or hammer
which was used in the killing, the tendency is to
delay the answer.
The test is not concerned with the answer, be
it a ‘yes” or a “no”. The important factor is the
time of response in relation to stimulus or
non-stimulus words.
Like the use of the lie detector, the subject
cannot be compelled to be subjected to the
test without his consent.
Psychological Stress
Evaluator
When a person speaks, there are audible
voice frequencies and superimposed on
these are the inaudible frequency
modulations which are products of minute
oscillation of the muscles of the voice
mechanism. Such oscillations of the muscles
micro tremor occur at the rate of 8 to 14
cycles per second and controlled by the
central nervous system.
When the person is under stress as when he
is lying, the micro tremor in the voice utterance
in moderately or completely suppressed.
The degree of suppression caries inversely to
the degree of psychologic stress in the
speaker.
The psychological stress evaluator (PSE)
detects, measures, and graphically displays
the voice modulations that we cannot hear.
When a person is relaxed and responding
honestly to the questions, those inaudible
frequencies are registered clearly on th
instrument. But when a person is under
stress, as when he is lying, these frequencies
tend to disappear.
Procedure:

The examiner meets the requesting party to

determine the specific purpose of the
examination and to begin formulation of
relevant questions.

A pre-test interview is conducted with the

subject to help him or her feel at ease with
the examiner, to provide an opportunity to
specify matters, to eliminate outside issues,
and to review questions that will be asked.
An roal test of about 12 to 15 “yes” or “no” questions or
given which is recorded on a tape recorder. The
questions are a mixture of relevant and irrelevant
questions.

Immediately following the test or at a later time, the tape

is processed through the Psychological Stress Evaluator
for analysis of the answers.

If stress is indicated, the subject is given opportunity to

provide additional clarification. A retest is given to verify
correction and clarification.
Use of Drugs that “Inhibit the
Inhibitor”

Administration of the TRUTH SERUM

Narcoanalysis/Narcosysthesis

Intoxication with Alcohol

TRUTH SERUM

The term “ truth serum” is a misnomer. The procedure

does not make someone tell the truth and the thing
administered is not serum but actually a drug.

In the test, HYOSCINE HYDROBROMIDE is given

hypodermically in repeated doses until a state of
delirium is induced.

When the proper point is reached, the questioning

begins and the subject fells a compulsion to answer
the questions truthfully.
He forgets his alibi which he may have built up to cover
his guilt. He may give details of his acts or may even
implicate others.

The drug acts as depressant in the nervous system.

Clinical evidence indicates the various segments of the
brain particularly the cortex.

Statements taken from the subjects while under the

influence of truth serum are evolutionary obtained
hence they are not admissible as evidence.
Narcoanalysis/Narcosynthesis

This method of deception detection is practically

the same as that of administration of truth serum.
The only difference is the drug used. Psychiatric
sodium amytal or sodium penthotal is administered
by the subject.

When the effects appear , questioning starts.

It is claimed that the drug causes depression of the

inhibitory mechanism of the brain and the subjects
talk freely.
The administration of the drug and
subsequent interrogation must be done by a
psychiatrist with along experience on the line.
Like the administration of the truth serum, the
result of the test is not admissible.
INTOXICATION

The apparent stimulation effect of alcohol is

really the result of the control mechanism of
the brain. The apparent stimulation effect of
alcohol is really the result of the control
mechanism of the brain, so alcohol, like truth
serum and narcoanalysis drugs “inhibit the
inhibitor”.
The ability of alcohol to reveal the real person
behind the mask which all of us are said to
wear (“mask of sanity’) is reflected in the age-
old maxim, IN VINO VERITAS (“in wine there
is truth”).
The person whose statement is to be taken is
allowed to take alcoholic beverages to almost
intoxication.
Confessions made by the subjects while under
the influence of alcohol may be admissible if he
is physically capable to recollect the facts that
he has uttered after the effects of alcohol have
disappeared.
But in most intances, the subjects cannot recall
everything that he had mentioned or he may
refuse to admit the truth of the statement given.
The knowledge of the truth is an essential
requirement for the administration of criminal
justice. The success or failure in making
decisions may rest solely on the ability to
evaluate the truth or falsity of the statement
given by the suspects or witness. The task for
its determination initially lies on the hand of
the investigator.
HYPNOSIS

It is the alteration of consciousness and

concentration in which the subject manifests
a heightened of suggestibility while
awareness is maintained.
Not all persons are susceptible to hypnotic
induction. Subjects who are compulsive-
depressive type, strong-willed like lawyers,
accountants, physicians and other
professionals are usually non-hypnotizable.
REASONS: (why it is not admissible
in court)

It lacks the general scientific acceptance of

the reliability of hypnosis per se in
ascertaining the truth from falsity.
The fear that the Trier of fact will give
uncritical and absolute reliability to a scientific
device without consideration of its flaw in
ascertaining veracity.
The possibility that the hypnotized subject will
deliberately fabricate.

The prospect that the state of heightened suggestibility

in which the hypnotized subject is suspected will
produce distortion of the fact rather than the truth.

The state of the mind, skill and professionalism of the

examiner are too subjective to permit admissibility of
the expert testimony.
Physiological
&
Psychological Symptoms
of
GUILT
SWEATING- sweating accompanied with a flushed face
indicate anger, embarrassment or extreme nervousness.
Sweating with a palled face may indicate shock of fear.
Sweating hands indicate tension.
COLOR CHANGE – if the face is flushed, it may indicate
anger, embarrassment or shame. A pale face is a more
common sign of guilt.
DRYNESS OF THE MOUTH – nervous tension causes
reflex inhibition of salivary secretion and consequently
dryness of the mouth. This causes continuous swallowing
and licking of the lips.
Excessive activity of the Adam’s apple - on account of
the dryness of the throat aside from the mouth, the
subject will swallow saliva from the mouth and this
causes the frequent upward and downward movement
of the Adam’s apple.

Fidgeting – subject is constantly moving about in the

chair, pulling his ears, rubbing his face, picking and
tweaking the nose, crossing or uncrossing the legs,
rubbing the hair, eyes, eyebrows, biting or snapping of
fingernails. These are indicators of nervous tension.
Peculiar Feeling Inside – there is a sensation of
lightness of the head and the subject is confused.
This is the result of his troubled conscience.

Swearing to the truthfulness of his assertion –

usually a guilty subject frequently utters such
expression. “I swear to God I am telling the truth” or
“ I hope my mother drops dead if I am lying”, “I
swear to Go”…etc. Such expressions are make to
make forceful and convincing his assertion of
innocence.
Spotless past record - “Religious man” – the
subject may assert that it is not possible for him to
do “anything like that” inasmuch as he is a
religious man and that he has a spotless record.

Inability to look at the investigator “straight in the

eye” – the subject does not like to look at the
investigator for fear that his guilt may seen in his
eyes. He will rather look at the floor or ceiling.
“Not that I remember” expression – the
subject will resort to the use of “Not that I
Remember” expression when answering to
be evasive or to avoid committing something
prejudicial to him.
LIE

Is also called PREVARICATION

A type of deception in the form of an

untruthful statement with the intention to
deceive, often with further intention to
maintain a secret of reputation, to protect
someone’s feelings from getting hurt, or to
avoid punishment.
Bald-Faced lie

A bald-faced ( or barefaced) lie is a lie that is

told when it is obvious to all concerned that is
it a lie.
Example: a child who has chocolate all over
his face and denies that he has eaten the last
piece of chocolate cake, is a bald-face liar.
Lying by omission

One lies by omission by omitting an important

fact, deliberately leaving another person with
a misconception. Lying by omission includes
failures to correct pre-existing
misconceptions.
Lie-to-children

A lie-to-children is a lie, often a platitude that

may use euphemism, that is told to make an
adult subject acceptable to children. A
common example is “ The stork brought you”.
White lie

A white lie would cause no discord if it were uncovered

and offers some benefit to the liar, the hearer, or both.

White lies are often used to avoid offense, such as

telling someone that you think that their new outfit looks
good when you actually think that it is a horrible excuse
for an outfit.

The lie is told to avoid the harmful implications and

realistic implications of the truth.
NOBLE LIE

A noble lie is one that would normally cause

discord it if were uncovered, but that offers
some benefit to the liar and perhaps assist in an
orderly society and thus potentially gives some
benefit to others also.

It is often told to maintain law, order and safety.

A noble lie usually has the effect of helping an

elite maintain power.
EMERGENCY LIE

An emergency lie is a strategic lie told when the

truth may not be told because, for example,
harm to a third party would come of it.

Example: a neighbor might lie to an engaged

husband about the whereabouts of his unfaithful
wife, because said husband might reasonably
be expected to inflict physical injury to his
husband.
PERJURY

It is the act of lying or making verifiably false

statements on an material matter under oath
or affirmation in a court of law or in any of
various sworn statements in writing.

Perjury is a crime because the witness has

sworn to tell the truth and, for the credibility of
the court, witness testimony must be relied
on an being truthful.
BLUFFING

Pretending to have capability or intention one

doesn’t. Bluffing is an act of deception that is
not usually seen as immoral because it takes
place in the context of a game where this
kind of deception is consented to in advance
by the players.
MISLEADING

A misleading statement is one where there

isn’t an outright lie, but still has the purpose
of making someone believe in an untruth.
DISSEMBLING

A polite term for lying, though some might

consider it to refer to being merely
misleading.

It is merely considered to be a euphemism for

lying.
EXAGGERATION

An exaggeration occurs when the most

fundamental aspect of a statement is true,
but the degree to which it is true is not
correct.
JOCOSE LIE

Are lies that are meant in jest and are usually

understood as such by all present parties.

Sarcasm can be an example.

Storytelling traditions that are present in some

places, where the humor comes form the
storyteller’s insistence that he or she is telling that
absolute truth despite all evidence to the contrary.
PROMOTION LIES

Advertisements often contain statements that

are not credible, such as “we are always
happy to give a refund.”
BELIEF SYSTEMS

It is alleged that some belief systems may

find lying to be justified.

Example: Religious lies

Augustine’s Taxonomy of Lies

Lies in religious teaching.

Lies that harm others and help no one.
Lies that harm others and help someone.
Lies told for the pleasure of lying
Lies told “please others in smooth discourse”.
Lies that harm no one and that help someone.
Lies that harm no one and that save someone’s life.
Lies that harm no one and that save someone’s
purity.
Lying in the bible

The Hebrew midwives lied to the king of Egypt

rather than carry out his order to kill all male
Hebrew babies; the midwives did this because
they “feared God” . (Exodus 1:15-20)

Rehab lied to the king of Jericho about hiding

the Hebrew spies (Joshua 2:4-5) and was not
killed with those were disobedient because of
her faith (Hebrews 11:13)
Delilah repeatedly accused Samson of lying
to her (Jg. 16:10-13) as she interrogated him
about the source of his strength.

Abaraham instructs his wife, Sarai, to lie to

the Egyptians and say that she is his sister
(Gen 12:10), which leads to the Lord
punishing the Egyptians (Gen 12:17-19).
Consequences of Lying

Discovered – discovery of lie tends to

discredit other statements by the same
speaker and can lead to social and legal
sanctions againsts the speaker.

Remain Undiscovered – undiscovered lie is a

latent danger to the liar who us probably
aware that it may be discovered.
Representations of Lying

Carlo Collodi’s PINOCCHIO is a wooden

puppet often led into trouble by his propensity to
lie. His nose grows with every lie. A long nose
has thus become a caricature of liars.

In the film LIAR LIAR, the lawyer Fletcher Reed

(Jim Carrey) cannot lie for 24 hours due to a
wish of his son which magically came true.
In 1985 MAX HEADROOM, the title character
comments that one can always tell when a
politician lies because ‘their lips move”. The
joke has been widely repeated and rephrased.

In the film BIG FAT LIAR, the story which

producer Marty Wolf, a notorious and proud
liar himself. Each lie he tells causes him to
grow in size.
The Polygraph Instrument
The polygraph instrument usually measures four to six
physiological reactions recorded by three different
medical instruments that are combined in one
machine. Older polygraph machines were equipped
with long strips of paper that moved slowly beneath
pens that recorded the various physiological
responses. Newer equipment uses transducers to
convert the information to digital signals that can be
stored on computers and analyzed using sophisticated
mathematical algorithms.
CARDIO-SPHYGMOGRAPH

Blood pressure and heart rate are measured

by the cardio-sphygmograph component of
the polygraph, which consists of a blood
pressure cuff that is wrapped around the
subject's arm.

During the questioning the cuff remains

inflated.
The movement of blood through the subject's
veins generates a sound that is transmitted
through the air in the cuff to a bellows that
amplifies the sound. The magnitude of the
sound relates to the blood pressure and the
frequency of the changes in the sound relates
to the heart rate.
PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT

The pneumograph component of the

polygraph records the subject's respiratory
rate. One tube is placed around the subject's
chest and a second is placed around his or
her abdomen. These tubes are filled with air.
When the subject breaths, changes in the air
pressure in the tubes are recorded on the
polygraph.
GALVANOGRAPH

The galvanograph section records the

amount of perspiration produced.
It consists of electrical sensors called
galvanometers that are attached to the
subject's fingertips. The skin of the fingertips
contains a high density of sweat glands,
making them a good location to measure
perspiration.
As the amount of sweat touching the
galvanometers increases, the resistance of
the electrical current measured decreases
and these changes are recorded by the
polygraph.
Most forensic psychophysiologists (FPs)
consider the cardiosphygomgraph and the
pneumograph components more informative
than the galvanograph.
KEYMOGRAPH

Keymograph component is a motor that pulls

or drives the chart paper under the recording
pen simultaneously at the rate of 6 or 12
inches per minute.
The Examination Room

It must be private and free from all outside noise and

detracting influences.
Adequately lighted and well ventilated
Devoid of pictures, paintings, decors or other ornaments.
Preferably sound-proof
Without any furniture other than a polygraph desk.
Subjects chair with arm rest and an examiner’s stool.
With one-way mirror and remote sound system for
monitoring the test proceedings to an authorized
audience.
The polygraph examiner

TECHNICALLY, he must have a complete

knowledge of the instrument and its
capabilities and limitations.
MORALLY – maintain a high personal
integrity and increasing personal proficiency
through constant study and research.
He constantly bears in mind his primary
obligation to his subjects is to afford them all
possible safeguards against error and must not
accept any subjects whose physical or mental
health or state makes him unfit.
He is an impartial seeker of truth.
Never allow his personal feelings, sympathies, or
prejudice influence the results of the
examination.
Selection of Test Subject

Permanent physical illness such as mental

derangement, certain heart condition, breathing
disorder, and addiction to narcotic drugs are definite
causes that makes a person unfit for a polygraph test.
Temporary illness and conditions such as sickness,
injury, pain, physical discomfort, external physical or
mental fatigue, colds, coughs, fever, allergies, and
influences of sedatives and liquor are causes for
deferment of the test until such time that the subjects
regains his ordinary physical condition.
Treatment of the subjects before being asked to make or
while awaiting test affects the success of the
examination.

Prolonged interrogation with constant accusation

directed against the subjects may condition him to react
falsely to the test, or may result to a flat emotionless
chart.

A person’s daily habit should not be upset more than

necessary. Long delay should be avoided.
PHASES of EXAMINATION

PRE-TEST INTERVIEW
ACTUAL interrogation and recording through
the instrument
POST-TEST INTERVIEW
Initial Interview with the Investigator

Test question are formulated by the

polygraph examiner based from information
obtained from the investigator. General facts,
theories and suspicions are not enough basis
for a polygraph test. Question formulation
depends greatly upon detailed and accurate
information regarding all the available facts.
The investigator on case should personally
inform the examiner of such facts as:

Unpublicized facts of the offense known only to

the victim, the investigator and the offender.

Specific articles or exact amounts of money

stolen.

Exact time and place the offense occurred.

Peculiar aspects of the offense or any strange

or obscene acts committed at the scene.
Known facts about a suspects action or movements
immediately preceding of after the incidents.

Facts indicating a connection between suspects, victims

and witnesses, especially when they deny any connection.

Exact type of firearm, weapon or tool used.

Results of laboratory test if any.

Background information particularly previous police records

or verifies facts which subjects denies.
PRE-TEST INTERVIEW

Before the actual testing is done, the examiner must

first make an informal interview of the subject which
may last from 20 to 30 minutes.

To condition the subject psychologically for the test.

The subject is appraised of his constitutional rights.

A written consent which must be freely and voluntary

given is taken.
Purpose of the Pre-Test Interview

To determine whether the subject has any

medical or psychiatric condition or has used
drugs that will prevent the testing.

To explain to the subject the purpose of the

examination.

To develop the test questions, particularly

those of the types to be asked.
To relieve the truthful subject of any
apprehension as well as to satisfy the
deceptive subject as to the efficiency of the
technique.
To know any anti-social activity or criminal
record of the subject.
Question Formulation

Questions formulated are short, simple and

direct answerable by either ‘Yes” or “No” only,
phrased in the language easily understood by
the subjects.
The questions must be clear and must have
reference to only one element of an offense
of fact.
Types of question

IRRELEVANT
RELEVANT
CONTROL
IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS

These are questions which have no bearing to the

case under investigation.

The question may refer to the subject’s age,

educational attainment, marital status, citizenship,
occupation, etc.

The examiner asks these types of questions to

ascertain the subject’s normal pattern of response
by eliminating the feeling of apprehension.
RELEVANT QUESTIONS

These are questions pertaining to the issue

under investigation. They must be
unambiguous, unequivocal and
understandable to the subject.
They must be related to one issue or one
criminal act.
It is equally important to limit the number of
relevant questions to avoid discomfort to the
subject.
Control Questions

These are questions which are unrelated to

the matter under investigation but are of
similar nature although less serious as
compared to those relevant questions under
investigation.
Test Construction applied are of two
main types.

General Peak Tension Test

Peak of Tension Test
General Peak Tension Test

The general question test consist of a series

of relevant and irrelevant questioned asked
in a planned order.
Example:
1. Have you ever been called by the name
Fred? (Irrelevant)
2. Is today Friday? (Irrelevant)
Do you have anything to do with the robbery at Goodwill
Grocery last night? (relevant)

Did you robbed the Goodwill Grocery last night? (relevant)

Are you over twenty years of age? (irrelevant)

Do you know is any of the fingerprints found at goodwill Grocery

is yours? (relevant)

Do you drink water? (Irrelevant)

Do you know of anyone involved in the robbery of Goodwill

Grocery last night? (Relevant)
Peak of Tension Test

This valid test is only made when there is no widespread

publicity about the crime.

Example:

1. Do you know whether the stolen watch from Fred is Boluva?

2. It is an Elgin?

3. Is it a Colorado?

4. Is it a Rolex?
POST-TEST
INTERROGATION
To clarify the findings

To learn if there are any other reasons for the

subject’s responding to a relevant question,
other than the knowledge of the crime.

To obtain additional information and an

admission for law enforcement purposes, if
he results suggest deception.
There are three basic approaches to the polygraph test:

The Control Question Test (CQT).

The Directed Lie Test (DLT).
The Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT).
The Control Question Test (CQT)

This test compares the physiological

response to relevant questions about the
crime with the response to questions relating
to possible prior misdeeds. "This test is often
used to determine whether certain criminal
suspects should be prosecuted or classified
as uninvolved in the crime" (American
Psychological Association).
The Directed Lie Test (DLT)

This test tries to detect lying by comparing

physiological responses when the subject is
told to deliberately lie to responses when they
tell the truth.
The Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT)

This test compares physiological responses

to multiple-choice type questions about the
crime, one choice of which contains
information only the crime investigators and
the criminal would know about.
Objectives

Ascertain if a person is telling the truth by

verifying statement and/or comparing
conflicting statements.
Obtain additional investigative leads to the
facts of an offense.
Locate fruits or roots of crime or whereabouts
of wanted persons.
Identify other persons involved.
Obtain valuable information from reluctant
witnesses.
Most important is the elimination of innocent
suspects.
Limitations

It is an invaluable investigation aid, but never a

substitute for investigation.

It is a lie detector, it is not a scientific diagnostic

instrument.

It does not determine facts, it records responses

to that which the subject knows to be true.

It is only as accurate as the examiner is

competent.
The underlying theory of the polygraph is that
when people lie they also get measurably
nervous about lying. The heartbeat increases,
blood pressure goes up, breathing rhythms
change, perspiration increases, etc. A baseline
for these physiological characteristics is
established by asking the subject questions
whose answers the investigator knows. Deviation
from the baseline for truthfulness is taken as sign
of lying
Test Procedure

Not more than 12 questions

At least three (3) charts are taken, each
lasting not more than four (4) minutes,
5 to ten minutes between charts.
Chart Marking
Beginning X

Stimulus “

Yes +

No -

Subject fail to answer No sign

Subject Talk T

Talking Instruction TI

Coughing C
Chart Marking
Mechanical Adjustment Arrow

Tearing of throat CT

Outside Noise OSN

Sigh S

Sniff SN

Sneeze SZ

BURP B

YAWN Y
Chart Marking

Deep breathing DB

Subject Laugh L

Breathing Instruction BI

Repeat Question R

Paper Jump PJ

Ending XX
Rule in Interpretation

There must be specific response hat deviates

from the subjects’ normal tracing.
It must appear in at least two or more chart.