CHART MARKINGS,

INTERPRETATIONS
AND PROBING
 CHART MARKINGS
Are made with the use of sign and
symbol to facilitate evaluation and interpretation in
charts.

■Primary Markings = these are markings which

Two Types Chart Markings

indicate the beginning and end of examination as well

as the questions and answers of the subject. These are

■Secondary Markings = are markings which are placed

usually placed at the bottom or top of the polygraph chart

only if the examinee does something which will cause

the physiological tracings to distort. These markings are
usually placed below the affected tracing
X / 60 / 1.5 - first markings of the examiner on the chart
A - examiner’s mark after the test
XX / 60 / 1.5 - start oaf the test
AX - end of the test
XX - millimeter of mercury shown in
60 sphygmamometer dial
1.5 - ohms of skin electrical resistance
A or - refers to automatic or manual galvo
M
| | -amplifier usedeach question begins and
point where
end (also called stimulus mark)
+ - Yes answer to question
- - No answer to question
A - adjustment
T -subject talked instead of answering with single
Yes or No
R - subject request for repetition of question
C - coughing
N - noise
S - sigh by the subject
PJ - paper jam
SN - subject sniffed
BI - breathing instruction
OS - tracing changed caused by outside
M stimulus
IM - movement
L - movement instruction
B - laugh
C - used to signify belch
+ - increase in galvo sensitivity
C- - decrease in galvo sensitivity
Y - yawn
IS - ink stop
CT - clearing of throat
 CHART PROBING
•Every after taking of each chart, probing should be
conducted. The examiner shows the recorded result with brief
explanation as to the importance of the recorded reactions.
•He points out the difference between reactions
accompanying irrelevant questions. The examiner informs the
subjects that the probing being done is essential, in order to attain
the test objectives.
 CHART INTERPRETATION
1. ACCURACY OF INSTRUMENTAL DETECTION OF DECEPTION
The accurateness of instrumental deception
dependent upon the examiner’scapabilitytoof diagnose
detection is
deception
truth by reading and interpreting the chart of the or
subjects.

2. KEYNOTES TO ACCURATE CHART INTERPRETATION

The keynote to accurate chart interpretation is GOOD
QUESTION FORMULATION.

3. CARDINAL RULE IN CHART INTERPRETATION

Any change from normal requires explanation
 RULES TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE
CHART INTERPRETATION
a. There must be a specific response.
b. To be a specific response, the response must from
deviation from the norm
c. It must appear in at least two test charts
d. The BEST INDICATION of deception is the
simultaneous specific responses in the THREE (3)
tracing of the charts.
 KINDS OF RESPONSE

1. Normal Responses are responses of the subject that

has no bearing on the matter under investigation.
2. Specific Responses are responses which
contain deviations or signs of deception which
has direct bearing on the matter under
investigation.
 RESULT ERRORS
False Positive – an erroneous decision that an
examinee is being deceptive when the examinee is
actually truthful.
False Negative – an erroneous decision that an
examinee is being truthful when the examinee is in
fact actually being deceptive.
Inconclusive result – this is the examiner‘s required
diagnostic opinion when an examinee‘s polygraph record
shows responses that are insufficient to determine
truthfulness of deception.
 ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF
POLYGRAPH RESULTS
TWO TYPES OF RELIABILITY

1. Interrater reliability = denotes agreement among examiners

2.Intrarater agreement (test-retest reliability) = pertains
to an examiner agreement with his own decisions when
evaluating the charts on different occasions.
IDEAL POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
ROOM
Be set aside for polygraph examinations. It must
have one way mirror and a concealed microphone so
that a person or persons in the observation room may
hear as well as see what occurs in the examination
room.
1. It must be spacious for two person.
2. It must be well-lighted.
3. It must not be decorated.
4. It must be 90% sound proof.
5. Must be well-ventilated.
MAIN OBJECTIVES OF POLYGRAPH
EXAMINATION
1.To ascertain if a person is telling
the truth by verifying statement or comparing
conflicting statement.
2. Obtain additional investigative leads to the facts of an
offense.
3.Locate fruits or tools of the crime
or whereabouts of wanted person.
4. Eliminate innocent suspects, which is the most
important.
LIMITATIONS OF THE POLYGRAPH
1.It is an invaluable aid but
never a substitute for an investigation.
2. It is not a lie detector; it is a scientific diagnostic
instrument.
3.It does not determine facts; it records responses to
what the subject knows to be true.
4. It is only as accurate as the examiner is competent
 CONDITIONS OF THE SUBJEC TO BE
CONSIDERED FIT FOR
POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
1. The subject must have a good night sleep prior to the test.
2.Subject must refrain from smoking for at least s2 hours
before the test.
3. Must be free from physical and sexual abuse.
4. The subject must not be interrogated for a prolong period.
5.Must refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs for at
least 12 hours prior to the test.
6. Subject must not be hungry.
7. Must not be suffering from illness, fever, cold, cough,
allergy, etc.
8. Must not be highly nervous.
9. Female subject must be free from menstrual cycle.
10.He/she must not have sex indulgence prior to the test.
 QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE
POLYGRAPH EXAMINER
1.Technically, he must have a complete knowledge of the
instrument and its capabilities and limitations; the most
modern polygraph technique; proficiency in the conduct of
polygraph examinations; test construction; and chart study
and research.
2.Morally, he must have a sincere desire to be a polygraph
examiner in its strictest sense, by devoting himself to the
polygraph profession through maintenance of high
personal integrity and increasing personal proficiency
through constant study and research.
3.He constantly bears in mind his primary obligation to
his subject, that is to afford him all possible safeguards
against errors and must never accept for a polygraph
examination, any subject who is not physically or mentally
fit.
 ADMISSIBILITY OF POLYGRAPH
RESULTS

U.S. United States v. Frye – 1923 – NOT ADMITTED AS

EVIDENCE (First case in Polygraphy)
 PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION ON
THE ADMISSIBILITY
OF POLYGRAPH TEST RESULT

1. People v. Daniel (G.R. No. L-40330 Nov. 20, 1978) Supreme Court:
“Polygraph test is unreliable considering that the subject took the test
after the trial was over. The court reasoned that the subject no longer
felt any fear or emotional distress that would allow any finding that he
committed the crime charged. It said the accuracy of a polygraph test
depended largely on the time and place of the test, and if the subject
was already distanced from the commission of the crime, the results
were bound to fail
People v. Adoviso, 309 SCRA 1 (1999). Supreme Court:
“American courts almost uniformly rejected the results of
polygraph tests when offered as evidence for the purpose of
establishing the guilt or innocence of one accused of a crime,
whether the accused or the prosecution sought its introduction,
for the reason that the polygraph had not yet attained scientific
acceptance as a reliable tool for ascertaining truth or deception.
“The rule,” according to the Supreme Court, “is no different in this
jurisdiction.
People v. Reanzares, G.R. No. 130656, 29 June
2000. Supreme Court:
―Lie detector test has never been accepted in our
jurisdiction as a means of ascertaining the truth.
People v. Carpo, G.R. No. 132676, 4 April 2001, the Supreme
Court:
―The court does not put credit and faith on the result
of a lie detector test in as much as it has not been
accepted by the scientific community as an accurate
means of ascertaining truth or deception.
REASONS WHY POLYGRAPH TEST
RESULT IS NOT ADMISSIBLE.
1.Polygraph techniques are still on experimental stage
and have not yet received degree of standardization of
acceptance among scientists.
*** US Supreme Court: People Vs. Becker, People vs. Fonte.
―It is useful in the investigation of a crime but no place in
the court room
2.The trier of the fact is apt to give almost conclusive
weight to the polygraph expert‘s opinion.
3.There is no way to assure that a qualified
examiner administered the test.
4. Test can‘t be relied upon because of many