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”.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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
 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, 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 two complimentary branches of nervous system:

1. the sympathetic
2. the parasympathetic

 The fibers of both enervate all organs where self-

regulation is essential
 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.
 A real 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 a long
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 instances, 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.
Classification of Lies
 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)
 Rahab 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
against 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.
POLYGRAPHY

The science of Lie Detection

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.
Thank you……….