LECTURE I

Introduction of the Course

Lie Detection Techniques

-Sir Kelvin R. Insigne, MSCJ
WHAT IS POLYGRAPH?
The term "POLYGRAPH" literally means "many writings". The name refers to the manner in which selected
physiological activities are simultaneously recorded. Polygraph examiners may use conventional instruments,
sometimes referred to as" Analog instruments, or computerized polygraph instruments.

It is important to understand what polygraph examinations require. A polygraph instrument will collect
physiological data from at least three (3) systems in the human body.

Convoluted rubber tubes are placed over the examinee's chest and abdominal area - this will record
respiratory activity,
Two (2) small metal plates, attached to the fingers - this will record sweat gland activity, and
Blood pressure cuff or similar device - will record cardiovascular activity.
A typical polygraph examination will include a period referred to as a
pretest, a chart collection phase and a test data analysis phase. In the
pre-test, the polygraph examiner will complete required paperwork
and talk with the examinees about the test. During this period, the
examiner will discuss the questions to be asked and familiarize the
examinee with the testing procedure.
During the chart collection phase, the examiner will administer and
collect a number of polygraph charts. Following this, the examiner will
evaluate the charts and render an opinion as to the truthfulness of the
person taking the test. The examiner, when appropriate, will offer the
examinee an opportunity to explain physiological responses in relation
to one or more questions asked during the actual test.
It is imperative to note that a polygraph do not include the analysis of
physiology associated with VOICE. Instruments that claim to record
the voice stress are NOT polygraphs and have NOT been shown to
have scientific support.

For decades the law enforcement community has used polygraph

testing as an investigative aid to:
1. Verify the statements of victims;
2. Establish the credibility of witnesses;
3. Evaluate the truthfulness of the suspects.
The following terms are hereby defined so as to establish the essentials of polygraphy.
Operational Terms in Polygraphy
1. ARTIFACTS - are objects that appear in a chart made by human work.
2. 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.
3. The word was derived from the word POLY means "many" and GRAPHS means
"writing chart".
4. REACTION - it is an action in mental attitude evoked by external influence.
5. DECEPTION - is an act of deceiving or misleading usually accompanied by lying.
6. DETECTION - is an act of discovery of existence, presence of fact or something
hidden or obscure
7. DISTORTION TRACING SEGMENT - is a segment within the chart that departs
from the average tracing segment but lacks psychological evidence of automatic change
due to physiological origin. This is also known as Artifact.
8. 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.
9. RESPONSE - is any activity or inhibition of the previous activity of an organism
resulting from stimulation.
10. SPECIFIC RESPONSE - is any deviation from the normal tracing of the subject.
11. NORMAL TRACING - is a tracing on the chart wherein the subject answered in
the irrelevant question.
12. POLYGRAPH EXAMINER - is one who conducts and administers the test.
13. CHART OR POLYGRAPHS - refers to the composite records of pneumograph,
galvanograph and cardiosphygmograph tracings recorded from series of questions.
14. SUBJECT - refers to the person being examined.
15. CHART MARKINGS - refers to the mark/s indicated by
the polygraph examiner during the examination based on the
reactions produced by the subject in order not to mislead the
polygraph examiners in their interpretation and that the result
will not be affected.
16. COUNTERMEASURE (CM) - when the examinee does
something deliberately to affect the outcome of the
examination.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES OF DECEPTION AND
LYING
A. History of Lying
The idea that lying produces physical side-effects has long been claimed. In
Western 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.
B. Early Methods of Detection Deception
• Trial by Combat
• Trial by Hot Iron Ordeal
• Ordeal by Balance
• Ordeal of Rice Chewing
• Donkey's Tail Ordeal
SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF DETECTING DECEPTION

a. 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.
b. A polygraph (commonly referred to as a lie detector) is an instrument that
measures and records several physiological responses such as:
1. blood pressure,
2. pulse,
3. respiration and
4. 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.
c. 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.
CONTRIBUTORS IN THE HISTORY OF
POLYGRAPH
1. ANGELO MOSSO- pursued in his studies of emotion and fear and its
influence on the heart and respiration with an instrument for measuring blood
pressure and pulse change called a PLETHYSMOSGRAPH.
2. FRANK FRANKE- he invented plethysmosgraph as part of cardio
application.
3. CESARE LOMBROSO- an Italian Criminologist who wrote "L Homme
Criminel" in which he related his use of the Plethysmosgraph and
Shpygmograph during the interrogation of criminal suspects.
4. FRANCIS GALTON- developed a much acclaimed psychological test in
1879 whereby a patient is presented with a group of words sufficiently
separated in time to allow the patient to utter his first thought generated by
each word (word-association test).
5. HUGO MUSTERNBERG- suggested the forensic application the word
association technique in detecting deception.
6. ARTHUR MCDONALD- proposed a federal laboratory to study criminals and
suggested the use of apparatus containing all elements of modern polygraph.
7. BENUSSI- presented a paper in March 1913 on the subject experiment
regarding respiratory symptoms of lying.
8. DR. WILLIAM M. MARSTON- devised the systolic pressure deception test
in 1915.
9. DR. JOHN A. LARSON- developed an instrument that continually
and simultaneously measured blood pressure and respiration.
10. LEONARD KEELER- developed an improvement of Larson
apparatus.
11. JOHN E. REID- developed the review control question consisting
of a known lie incorporate into relevant/irrelevant test.
12. CLEVE BACKSTER- developed the Backster Zone comparison
and a quantification system of chart analysis.
13. RICHARD ARTHER- first Polygraphist to record simultaneously
on regular basis the chest and abdominal breathing patterns.
PEOPLE BEHIND THE INTRODUCTION OF POLYGRAPH MACHINE DURING THE
EARLY YEARS

1. 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.
2. 1914 - VITTORIO BENUSSI, he 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.
3. 1917 - Further research made 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.
4. 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. 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.
5. 1915 - Makenzie wrote a second paper on the concept when finishing his
undergraduate studies. He entered Harvard Law School and graduated in 1918, re-
publishing his earlier work in 1917. 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).“ The comic book character, Wonder Woman by
William Marston (and influenced by Elizabeth Marston carries a magic lasso
which was modelled upon the systolic blood-pressure test.
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 used of the device. ln 1938, he appeared
in advertising by the Gillette Company claiming that the polygraph showed Gillette
razors were better than the competition.
7. CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH- CESARE LOMB ROSO- 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 used as a basis for detecting deception. He uses
sphygmomanometer 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. He is known as the "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 man who developed
and studied to record at the same time the responses of the blood
pressure, pulse rate and respiration.
8. GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT

STICKER - he introduced the method of detecting deception

rom the galvanic impression on the chart tracing.

VERAGUTH - 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".
9. PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT - VITTORIO BENUSSI – he
noted changes in inhalation ratio during indications of deceptions.

LEONARD KEELER - he devised a metal recording bellows; rolled

chart paper. In 1949, he incorporated Galvanograph with measurement
of blood pressure and respiration into a portable case.
THANK
YOU!