POLYGRAPHY

The science of Lie Detection

 Introduction
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
• 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.
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.
 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.
Thank you……….