POLYGRAPHY

- Is the science that deals with

the study of physiological and
psychological reactions of the
body with the aid of the
polygraph machine.
History of Polygraphy:
Early Method of Detecting
Deception:
a. Trial by combat
b. Trial by Ordeal
The following are the different trial
by ordeal applied to the suspects to
identify deceptions.
1. The Chinese requested to chew rice powder
during the interview, and then to spit it out for
examination. If the rice is still dry, the suspect was
considered guilty because the tension of guilt
supposedly caused a cessation of salivary gland
secretions.

2. Red Hot iron- this is by placing the red hot

iron the tongue, if the tongue will not get blister,
the suspect is innocent.
 3. Feeding to the animals-the
suspect that will not be eaten by the
animals is not guilty.

4. By setting fire- the suspect that will

get burn is not guilty of the crime.
Theory of Lie detection.
-The theory of lie detection technique is that
lying necessitates certain physical effort that
causes definite physiological changes. It is a
recognize fact that when a person lies there
is a change in his blood pressure, respiration
and a change in the activity of the sweet
pores.”
History of Lie Detection
 1895- Cesare Lombroso- utilized a
scientific instrument in an effort to detect
deception. He sought to determine on
the basis of the presence or absence of
blood pressure-pulse changes when the
suspects were questioned about the
offense under investigation. Since the
instruments were in existence for medical
purposes at the time of Lombroso
conducted his experiments in detecting
deception by constructing an instrument
known as hydrosphygmograph.
 1906- Sir James Mackenzie- a heart specialist
who used the “Ink polygraph” for monitoring the
blood pressure-pulse in detecting heart failures
only, the machine has not been used by him in
detecting deception.

 1914- Vittorio Benusse- his research on the

respiration changes as symptoms of deception
became popular. He discovered that the length
of inspirations if divided by the length of
expiration the ratio is greater before telling the
truth than afterwards and greater after lying
than before lying.
 1915- William Moulton Marston- made a research on lie
detection with the use of an ordinary sphygmomanometer
he invested, an instrument capable of determining
patient blood pressure by means of periodic and
continuous blood pressure readings during the course of
investigation.

 1917- Harold Burt- confirmed the results obtained by

Benusse and improved upon his technique. He
considered this respiratory method to have loss
diagnostic value than the blood pressure technique.

 1921- John A. Larson – constructed an instrument

capable of continuously recording all the three
phenomena- the blood pressure, pulse, and respiration
during the entire period of the test. Had a high
percentage of accuracy in his results.
 1926- Leonardo Keeler- constructed a more
satisfactory instrument that the one used by Larson.
A keeler polygraph was included in addition to units
for recording blood pressure-pulse and respiration
changes. A Galvanometer for recording what is
known as the Psychological galvanic skin reflex.
 1945- John E. Reid- found that various forms of
unobserved muscular activity. He devised an
instrument for recording along with the changes in
blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and psycho-galvanic
skin reflex, an accessory in the Reid polygraph
machine, which is used to record, and observed
muscular movements of the arms, thigh and feet.
Parts of the Polygraph Machine
1. Cardiosphygmograph- blood pressure
cuff
2. Pnuemograph- corrogated tubes attached
to the abdomen and stomach
3. Galvanic Skin reflex- electrodes attached
to the index and middle fingers
4. Kymograph- a motor that helps run the
graphing tracing paper.
PNUEMOGRAPH
-aretwo corrugated rubbers that will
be attached to the thorasic and
abdomen
GALVANOGRAPH
-is the part of the polygraph machine that measures
the flow of galvanic skin reflex. It consist of two
electrodes that will be attached to the index and ring
fingers.
DIFFERENT PROCEDURES IN
CONDUCTING POLYGRAPH
EXAMINATION
1. Pre-Test Interview.
The examinee’s interview with the subject prior to
the test is of considerable importance, both for the
purpose of:
conditioning the subject for the examination
in order to provide and observe the helpful
indications of guilt or innocence which are often
forthcoming at that time.
Inform the subject regarding his constitutional
rights or the Miranda doctrine.
Formulation of questions
2. Preliminary Observations.
Although the lie detector record themselves will usually
permit a reliable diagnosis of deception, much can be
gained from the preliminary observations of the subject
from the time he enters the examiner’s office or deception
room until he is escorted into the examination room.

The recorded observations of a competent secretary or

receptionist as to the general conduct and behavior of the
subject while in the waiting room will be very useful to the
examiner. They will furnish him with a clue or guide to
the most effective handling of the subject, and particularly
with regard to his possible resentment toward the test or
other attitudes, which should be understood and perhaps
alleviate before the actual administration of the test.
FORMULATING DIFFERENT
QUESTIONS, SUCH AS:
 1.IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS
 2. STRONG RELEVANT
 3. WEAK RELEVANT
 4. CONTROL QUESTION
 5. EVIDENCE CONNECTING QUESTION
 6. KNOWLEDGE QUESTION
Different

Kinds of Questions
Irrelevant- this question is formulated without any
scientific relationship with the case under investigation. This
question can be asked on the first two and last two questions
or immediately thereafter the relevant question is asked.
 Purposes of the irrelevant questions:
 to ascertain the subject’s normal reactions, norms, and
behavior
 To terminate the “lingering” type of reactions that may appear
in the relevant and control questions.
 To nullify or terminate shock reactions due to the noises
occurring outside the examination room.
 To provide an outlet of relief response after the relevant
question is asked.
 To separate the reactions to pertinent questions by using the
irrelevant question in between.
 to accentuate a deception response to a relevant question
(thinking his deception to the question he previously
answered)
Relevant Questions
- this is the primary or key question used by the
examiner in order to resolve a specific subject matter.
This question is commonly set in number 3 and 5 to
observe the psychological reaction of the guilty subjects.

 Kinds of Relevant question:

 Strong or Crucial question- is a relevant question
having an intense and specific relationship with the
crime or problem being considered.
 Weak or Secondary question- a question
concerned with some secondary element of the
crime, and deals mostly on guilt knowledge and
partial involvement.
Two Kinds of Weak or Secondary Question
are:
Specific- this question is designed to absorbed
the response generally generated by the
introduction of the first relevant question in a
series.
knowledge- designed whether the subject
possesses information regarding the identity of
the offender or the location of the evidence.
Evidence Connecting- a question designed to
stimulate the guilty subject and focus his
attention on the incriminating proof that would
tend to establish his guilt.
The Phraseology of the Relevant Question:
 the question must be simple
 it must not be lengthy’
 it must describe to only one case to avoid
confusion,
 must be accusatory’
 Must be based on facts and not by mere
opinion.
 Hypothetical relevant questions must be set
either in number 3 or in number 5.
Control Question-
-this question is designed to produce a response in the
innocent subject and serves for evaluating the subject
perceptual test.

And this question is about a wrongdoing of the same

general nature as the main incident under investigation
and one to which the subject, in all probability, will lie or
to which his answer will be dubious validity in his own
mind. This question relates nothing to the fact in issue.
This is only designed to know some linkages from one
known facts to the other. It can be set at number 6 and 10
to give enough time for the subject to control his emotions
before other questions are asked.
Two kinds of Control Question:

Primary- a question which is more concern

about events that transpires within 3 or 5
years period before the present case under
investigation.
Secondary- this question is designed to
cover events up to the present period.
Guilt complex question- designed for subjects
who are guilt complex reactor or who react to any
relevant question.
Example: Did you steal the attaché case
containing P5,000.00 from Juan de la Cruz room.
Actually the case is about the loss of the typewriter.

Sky question- is designed to confirmed the

previous charts, and detect the direct involvement
of the subject or to know the subject has the guilty
knowledge.
Fred and Inbau Style Buckster Style
1. Irrelevant - Irrelevant
2. Irrelevant - Scientific relevant
3. Weak/Strong relevant - Symptomatic
4. Irrelevant - Control question
5. Strong relevant - Strong relevant
6. Primary control question - Control question
7. Irrelevant - Strong relevant
8. Evidence Connecting - Symptomatic
9. Control question - Guilt Complex
10. Secondary control question - Weak relevant
11. Irrelevant - Irrelevant
12. Irrelevant - Irrelevant
Markings of Questions
Start Announcement –(X), Stop
announcement-(XX), Yes - + ,NO-(-)
Movement-(MV), Talking Deep Breath-
(DB), Cough –©, Clear throat –(CT),
Swallow- (SW), Sniff- (SNF), Yawn- (Y),
Sneeze- ( SZ)
Laugh- (LGH), Sleep-(SLP), other Outside
Noise- (OTH), Inside Noise- (ISN), Examiner
Error (EE), Poorly Worded Question, (PW),
Will Repeat Question – (WRQ) , Movement
Instruction- (MI), Talking Instruction- (TI)
Answering Instruction- -AI), Breaking
Instruction- (BI)Wake-up- (WU), Take Deep
Breath-(TDB)
The Test:
Upon completion of all instruments adjustments,
the examiner again should say to the subject: If
you are you are telling the truth, the polygraph
will show it, if you are not it show that too. The
subject must be instructed the following:
 Sit straight
Keep both feet flat on the floor
Look directly ahead
Remain Still
And answer all questions by YES or NO only
Thank you very much