Polygraphy technologies are also used in the field of lie detection, but
The Science of Lie Detection the polygraph is the most famous.
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
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. 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.
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 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.
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 autonomic nervous system is composed of two
complimentary branches: the sympathetic and the
parasympathetic nervous system, acting opposite each
other.
The fibers of both enervate all organs where
self-regulation is essential
When a person is under the influence of physical
(exertion) or emotional (anger, excitement, fear, lie
detection, etc.) stimuli, the sympathetic will dominate
and over-ride the parasympathetic, thus there will be a
changes in the heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure,
respiratory tracing, psycho galvanic reflexes, time of
response to question, voice tracing, etc.
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
Page 2 of 7
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.
An oral 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 along
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 intances, 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.
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 NOBLE LIE
Excessive activity of the Adam’s apple - on account of A noble lie is one that would normally cause
the dryness of the throat aside from the mouth, the subject discord it if were uncovered, but that offers some benefit
will swallow saliva from the mouth and this causes the to the liar and perhaps assist in an orderly society and thus
frequent upward and downward movement of the potentially gives some benefit to others also.
Adam’s apple. It is often told to maintain law, order and safety.
A noble lie usually has the effect of helping an elite
Fidgeting – subject is constantly moving about in the maintain power.
chair, pulling his ears, rubbing his face, picking and
tweaking the nose, crossing or uncrossing the legs, EMERGENCY LIE
rubbing the hair, eyes, eyebrows, biting or snapping of An emergency lie is a strategic lie told when the
fingernails. These are indicators of nervous tension.
truth may not be told because, for example, harm to a
Peculiar Feeling Inside – there is a sensation of lightness third party would come of it.
of the head and the subject is confused. This is the result Example: a neighbor might lie to an engaged husband
of his troubled conscience. about the whereabouts of his unfaithful wife, because
Swearing to the truthfulness of his assertion – usually a said husband might reasonably be expected to inflict
guilty subject frequently utters such expression. “I swear physical injury to his husband.
to God I am telling the truth” or “ I hope my mother drops
dead if I am lying”, “I swear to Go”…etc. Such PERJURY
expressions are make to make forceful and convincing It is the act of lying or making verifiably false
his assertion of innocence.
statements on an material matter under oath or
Spotless past record - “Religious man” – the subject may
affirmation in a court of law or in any of various sworn
assert that it is not possible for him to do “anything like
statements in writing.
that” inasmuch as he is a religious man and that he has a
Perjury is a crime because the witness has sworn to tell
spotless record.
the truth and, for the credibility of the court, witness
testimony must be relied on an being truthful.
Inability to look at the investigator “straight in the eye”
– the subject does not like to look at the investigator for
BLUFFING
fear that his guilt may seen in his eyes. He will rather look
Pretending to have capability or intention one
at the floor or ceiling.
doesn’t. Bluffing is an act of deception that is not usually
seen as immoral because it takes place in the context of a
“Not that I remember” expression – the subject will
game where this kind of deception is consented to in
resort to the use of “Not that I Remember” expression
advance by the players.
when answering to be evasive or to avoid committing
something prejudicial to him.
MISLEADING
A misleading statement is one where there isn’t
LIE
an outright lie, but still has the purpose of making
Is also called PREVARICATION
someone believe in an untruth.
A type of deception in the form of an untruthful
statement with the intention to deceive, often with further
DISSEMBLING
intention to maintain a secret of reputation, to protect
A polite term for lying, though some might
someone’s feelings from getting hurt, or to avoid
consider it to refer to being merely misleading.
punishment.
It is merely considered to be a euphemism for lying.
Classification of Lies
Bald-Faced lie
A bald-faced ( or barefaced) lie is a lie that is
EXAGGERATION
told when it is obvious to all concerned that is it a lie.
An exaggeration occurs when the most
Example: a child who has chocolate all over his face and
fundamental aspect of a statement is true, but the degree
denies that he has eaten the last piece of chocolate cake,
to which it is true is not correct.
is a bald-face liar.
JOCOSE LIE
Lying by omission
Are lies that are meant in jest and are usually
One lies by omission by omitting an important
understood as such by all present parties.
fact, deliberately leaving another person with a
Sarcasm can be an example.
misconception. Lying by omission includes failures to
Storytelling traditions that are present in some places,
correct pre-existing misconceptions.
where the humor comes form the storyteller’s insistence
Lie-to-children
that he or she is telling that absolute truth despite all
A lie-to-children is a lie, often a platitude that
evidence to the contrary.
may use euphemism, that is told to make an adult subject
PROMOTION LIES
acceptable to children. A common example is “ The stork
Advertisements often contain statements that
brought you”.
are not credible, such as “we are always happy to give a
White lie
refund.”
A white lie would cause no discord if it were
BELIEF SYSTEMS
uncovered and offers some benefit to the liar, the hearer,
It is alleged that some belief systems may find
or both.
lying to be justified.
White lies are often used to avoid offense, such
Example: Religious lies
as telling someone that you think that their new outfit
Augustine’s Taxonomy of Lies
looks good when you actually think that it is a horrible
Lies in religious teaching.
excuse for an outfit.
Lies that harm others and help no one.
The lie is told to avoid the harmful implications
Lies that harm others and help someone.
and realistic implications of the truth.
Lies told for the pleasure of lying
Lies told “please others in smooth discourse”.
Page 4 of 7
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)
Rehab 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.
Page 5 of 7
 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 consists 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).
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  The Directed Lie Test (DLT). Sneeze SZ
 The Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT). BURP B
YAWN Y
Chart Marking
The Control Question Test (CQT)
This test compares the physiological response to Deep breathing DB
relevant questions about the crime with the response to Subject Laugh L
questions relating to possible prior misdeeds. "This test Breathing Instruction BI
is often used to determine whether certain criminal Repeat Question R
suspects should be prosecuted or classified as uninvolved Paper Jump PJ
in the crime" (American Psychological Association). Ending XX

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 Rule in Interpretation
choice of which contains information only the crime There must be specific response that deviates from the
investigators and the criminal would know about. subjects’ normal tracing.
It must appear in at least two or more chart.
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
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