Gapan City College

College of Criminal Justice Education

Subject: Lie Detection Techniques

Year: 3rd year BS Criminology
Instructor: Jim Oliver E. Binala
College of Criminal Justice Education

MODULE 6

COMPONENTS OF POLYGRAPH

COMPONENTS OF POLYGRAPH

MAJOR COMPONENT DESCRIPTION

1. PNEUMOGRAPH  Designed to detect and record changes in respiration of the subject which consists of
the following:
 Rubber Convoluted Tube – about 10” corrugated rubber attached to the
body of the subject
 Beaded Chain – designed to lock the rubber convoluted tube
 Recording Pen Unit – consists of two 5” recording pen
 Placements of the Pneumograph:
 Pneumo 1 (Upper Chest) – thoracic breathing
 Pneumo 2 (Lower Chest above the stomach) – abdominal breathing
 Most instruments are made with two pneumo channels to ensure all respiration
changes are recorded.
 If only one pneumo is used, the pneumograph tube should be placed in the location of
the greatest respiration movement.
 The pneumograph tube contains a certain volume of air. As the subject inhale or
exhale, the tube an accordion-like expand and contract causing changes of pressure
inside the tube.
 The changes are transmitted to the recording bellows causing a forward and backward
movement of the pilot shaft to which the recording pen is connected.

2. GALVANOGRAPH  Records the skin resistance of the subject to a very small amount of electricity. It
 consists of the following:
 Finger Electrode Assembly – consists of:
a. Finger Electrode Plate and Retainer Bond – attached to the index
and ring finger. The metal electrodes are placed on the subject’s
finger tips and the disposable electrodes are attached on the palm
of the subject (for Computerized Polygraph).
b. Connecting Plug – connects the electrodes to the instrument
 Recording Pen Unit – 7” long

3. CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH  Designed to detect and record changes in the cardiovascular activity of the subject. It
consists of the following:
 Blood Pressure Cuff – attached to the upper right arm of the subject, above
the brachial artery
 Sphygmomanometer – used to indicate the amount of air pressure inflated
to the system (generally 60-80 mmHg)
 Recording Pen Unit -5” length
 Air Pump/ Pump Bulb – designed to supply air to the cardio system
(inflation)

 It provides a record of the following:

 Relative Blood Volume/ Pressure – changes in the average value of the
cardio tracing (waveform) with respect to the baseline
a. Diastolic BP – downward BP representing the low pressure to the
closing of the valves and heart relaxed
b. Systolic BP – upward BP as the apex of the curve caused by the
contraction of the heart, valves are open and blood is rushing into
the arteries
 Pulse Amplitude – changes in pulse amplitude (tracing height) independent
of baseline
 Pulse Rate – changes in heart rate or time between pulses
 Diacritic Notch – changes in relative position of the diacritic notch or pulse
waveform

MINOR COMPONENT DESCRIPTION

1. KYMOGRAPH
 Is sometimes referred to as a chart drive module.
 Serves as the paper feed mechanism of the polygraph instrument
 It is a motor that pulls or drives the chart paper under the recording pen
simultaneously at the rate of 5 seconds per vertical chart division or 12 divisions in
 one minute run It consists of the following:
 Cutter Bar – used to cut the paper at the end of the examination
 Rubber Roller – pulling the paper out of the machine
 Pen Table – flat portion where the pen writes on the chart
 Paper Rail Guide – security for the unnecessary movement of the chart
paper or to ensure the paper’s forward movement without shaking
 Synchronous Motor – runs the chart paper at the uniform rate speed
regardless of the voltage change
 A chart roll is about 100 ft. long, 6 inches width ½ inch margin apart. Paper is
imprinted with horizontal line spaced at ¼ inch interval. Each ½ inch division across
the paper signifies 5 seconds of time.

2. PEN & INKING SYSTEM

 Provides for the permanent record of the examination
 Capillary Ink – water based ink intended for polygraph instruments

Other Parts of the CONVENTIONAL/ ANALOG MACHINE:

Pen Lifter Raises or lowers the pens to 3 positions
Program Pacer A programmable cueing device for question and answer spacing
Paper Tear Bar Provides cutting edge for convenient removal of charts
Foam Pen Hold-down Keeps pens in place when instrument is being transported
Attaché Compartment Storage for all forms and supplies, slightly smaller than the Executive Ultra scribe
Accessory Storage and Optional Calibration Slightly smaller in Executive Ultra scribe
Checking Fixture
Subject Connection Stylish grouping provides neat, professional appearance
Mechanical Pneumo Module Recording part of Mechanical Pneumo channel
Galvanic Skin Response Module Recording part of the GSR channel
Selectable recording module; can be used as:
- Electronic Pneumo Channel
Multi-function Module Mechanical Cardio
- Electronic Cardio Channel
Module
- Cardio Activity Monitor
- Cardio Tech. or other accessories
Paper Storage Compartment Holds 2 spare rolls of chart paper or other supplies
AC Power Receptacles Power cords connects here; international standard design for easy cord replacement
Power Switch and Circuit Breaker Applies power to instrument
Chart Drive Roller Lever Lifts chart drive roller for paper changes and chart removal
Automatically indicates whether wall outlets is properly wired and grounded for proper
Power Analyzer
instrument operation and subject safety
Stimulus Marker Marks significant events on the chart
Sphygmomanometer Dial Reads operating pressure of cardio channels
Pneumo 1 Pneumatic connection for upper (thoracic) pneumography
Pneumo 2 Pneumatic connection for lower (abdominal) pneumography
Disengages mechanical cardio module from pneumatic system for low pressure electric
Mechanical Cardio Switch
cardio operation

Other ACCESSORIES of the MODERN (COMPUTERIZED) POLYGRAPH:

1. Activity Sensors  Devices attached to or built into polygraph testing chairs to detect an
examinee’s concealed movements. It is composed of the following:
a. Seat Pad  Detect movements of an examinee during the polygraph examination
 The sensor pouch is located under the seat of the examinee. As the examinee
moves, pressure changes are detected from the pouch.
b. Arm Pads  Utilized to detect movements of shoulders, forearms and hands of the subject
during a polygraph test. The sensors, in pouch form, are placed on the chair
arms and the subject’s arms rest upon them.
c. Foot Pads  Utilized to detect movements in the feet and legs of the subject during a
polygraph test. The sensors are placed on the floor in front of a chair, and the
subject’s feet rest upon them.
2. Plethysmograph  Measures changes in blood volume on a part of the body
 It is sometimes called PLE
3. Signature and Fingerprint Scanner  Allows the computer to scan and record the signature and fingerprint of the
subject that will undergo the examination
 Connected directly on the laptop or computer via USB connection
4. Webcam  Record the entire examination with audio and video
 If the result will be presented in court, a record of the examination is a
necessary requirement for court presentation in order for the trial judge to see
how the examination was conducted.
5. Thermal Printer  Print the charts continuously while doing the examination or after the
examination

 ATTACHMENT OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE POLYGRAPH MACHINE

 A polygraph is in fact several instruments combined to simultaneously record changes in blood pressure, pulse,
respiration and skin resistance. The electrical conductivity of the skin’s surface can also be measured through the
increasing sweat gland activity that reduce the skin’s ability to carry electrical current. The pneumograph tube is
fastened around the subject’s torso and belly. The blood pressure cuff is placed on the right arm in such a way that the
rubber bladder part should be located over the brachial artery. The electrodes or GSR is attached on the palm or index
finger and ring finger of the left hand of the subject. Position the subject in a manner that he looks straight ahead with
the instrument and the examiner to the right side or rear somewhat ahead of the kymograph or chart drive so that the
polygraph tracings will not distract him.