The Modern Polygraph
Instrument
POLYGRAPH – GREEK WORD
• POLY
• GRAPO
- Is a device that monitors and records respiratory , electro
dermal , cardiovascular and vasomotor activity of a person
during the process of polygraph examination.
I. CONVENTIONAL POLYGRAPH
INSTRUMENT
- ANALOG Polygraph Instrument
- Lafayette & Stoelting
- 2 pneumograph, galvanometer, cardio channels
Major parts of Conventional Polygraph
1. The Pneumograph Channel
-modern – designed to measure thoracic and
abdominal breathing pattern
- Pneumatic sensor – corrugated rubber tube
attached to the thorax or chest and abdomen of the
subject. It is devised to transmit breathing pattern
to the pneumo channel of the instrument
- Ideal AMPLITUDE OF TRACINGS – required
is between ½ inch to 1 inch, recommended ¾
DIFFERENCE:
STOELTING ANALOG POLYGRAPH –
-Upper Pneumograph sensors (Thoracic respiration) is connected to
PNEUMO 1 connector,
PNEUMO 2 in connected to lower pneumograph sensor ( Abdominal
respiration)
- Sensitivity setting from 0 to 100, set at 25
LAFAYETTE POLYGRAPH –
-Upper Pneumograph sensors is connected to PNEUMO 2 connector,
PNEUMO 1 in connected to lower pneumograph sensor
-sensitivity setting from 0 -10, set at 5
When the instrument is not in used the sensitivity must be at zero
*Sensitivity Control – only available in an electronic
component
*Centering Control – used to set pen in the proper position on
the chart paper
*Vent – used to regulate the air in the system
*Length of Pneumograph pens – varies depending on the
brand of the polygraph
- Stoelting pen – FIVE (5) INCHES
- Lafayette pen – SIX and One Fourth (6 ¼) inches
2. The EDA Channel
- Old term used for Electro dermal Activity channel is galvanic skin
reflex.
- GSR or Galvanic Skin Reflex is no longer used in modern
Polygraphy
- Galvanic Skin Response is named after Luigi Galvani
- Provides the most reliable and visible tracings used in the evaluation
of physiological data collected during polygraph testing.
- is responsible for the recording of the skin resistance and
conductance
- OPTIMAL TRACING AMPLITUDE – 1 ½ inches
Stoelting polygraph – from 0 to 100 sensitivity setting
Lafayette polygraph – 0 to 10 sensitivity
3. The Cardio Channel
- Monitors relative blood pressure changes pulse wave using a blood pressure cuff.
- Tracings are recorded by wrapping a pneumatic cuff around the arm of an
examinee. The changes in the blood pressure causes the pen to rise and drop
Stoelting polygraph – from 0 to 100 sensitivity setting (Set to 25)
Lafayette polygraph – 0 to 10 sensitivity (set to 5)
Sensitivity – to increase –rotate sensitivity control CLOCKWISE
-Ideal AMPLITUDE of tracings- required is between ½ inch to 1 inch but
recommended is ¾ inch
- EDA PEN – longest among pens of an analog polygraph
Stoelting pen – 5 inches long and exactly ½ inch ahead of other recording pens
Lafayette EDA pen – 7 inches long
4. The Cardio Activity Monitor
-CAM is one of the advance features used in polygraph examination.
-it produced detailed tracings
CAM transducer – sensitive but rugged surface capable to detect
changes in distal blood volume
-sensor is placed at the end of the finger or wrist of the subject without
cardio cuff.
- Sensitivity setting at 25
-Centering control – is used to position the pen in the chart
* According to Handler, CAM was never shown to work. The idea as well
as the component were already discarded
5. Kymograph – is a motor that pulls or drives the chart
paper under the recording pen simultaneously at the rete of
6 or 12 inches per minute
II. COMPUTERIZED
POLYGRAPH SYSTEM
- The development of Computerized Polygraph System began in
1978 at the University of Utah.
- The system was designed to measure physiological features
including skin conductance response, increase in relative blood
pressure and reduction in respiration line length.
- Other sensors are designed to record finger pulse using
PHOTOELECTRIC PLETHYSMOGRAPH.
- Subjects movement is monitored through seat, arm and feet sensors.
- Two microphone is used for voice events generated by examiner
and subject.
- Optional sensors are designed to monitor skin potentials and other
parameters.
TYPES OF COMPUTERIZED POLYGRAPH
1. Axciton Computerized Polygraph System
2. Lafayette Instrument Polygraph System
3. Limestone Technologies Inc. Polygraph
4. Stoelting Computerized Polygraph System
BASIC PARTS OF COMPUTERIZED POLYGRAPH
5. Physiology Data Acquisition System – system that acquire and transforms
the physiological data monitored by different sensors attached to the
particular parts of the subjects body
6. Pneumograph Sensors – thoracic and abdominal respiration tracings are
obtained using either the pneumatic rubber convoluted sensor or the piezo
electronic sensor.
7. Electrodermal Activity Sensors – records electrodermal activity through
ENDOSOMATIC or EXOSOMATIC process
4. Cardiovascular Activity Sensor – is obtained using a traditional blood
pressure cuff , arm cuff or a finger cuff
Stoelting Computerized system – optimal cuff pressure is 52 to 62 mmHg.
-Pressure setting is indicated in the digital display
-Pressure indicator – RED (air pressure is low), BLUE (air pressure is higher)
Pressure indicator – CHANGES ANYTIM during the chart collection phase-
DO NOT ATTEMPT to adjust the pressure. The TRACINGS will be
CORRUPTED if adjustment was made.
- Sensitivity of a cardio has a default setting of 50.
5. Plethysmograph Sensor - Blood pulse volume is measured using a
PHOTOELECTRIC PLETHYSMOGRAPH.
- The sensor is placed on the palmar surface of the distal phalange of the
index finger or thumb on the arm with no arm cuff
6. Seat / Movement Sensor – the movement sensors can record body
movement.
*THE COMPUTERIZED POLYGRAPH is capable of recording the
procedure of the examinations through audio or video.
PYSCHOLOGICAL BASIS OF
POLYGRAPH TESTING
