PROCEDURES (PHASES) FOLLOWED IN THE POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUE

PHASE 1- PRELIMINARY PREPARATIONS

This stage is the initial interview with the investigator handling the case or person
requesting it. The group involve in this stage are the victim of or the complainant, suspects and
witnesses.
This stage includes obtaining and evaluation of facts, determining areas the subjects
needs to be asked and the investigator must furnish the examiner of the following:
 Sworn statement of the suspect/witnesses/victim/complainant
 Incident or spot report, B.I. of the suspect, witnesses, complainants and victims
 Rough sketch or pictures of the crime scene and other facts such as specific
article and exact amount of money stolen
 Peculiar aspect of the offense
 Exact time the offense was committed
 Known facts about the suspect’s action or movement
 Facts indicating any connection between the suspects, victim and witnesses
 Exact type of weapon, tool or firearms used
 Result of laboratory test
 Unpublished facts of the offense known only by the victim, suspect and the
investigator.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS

Behavioral observations of the subject begin from the time he enters the reception room
until he is escorted into the examination room and must be recorded by a secretary or
receptionist. The subject’s general conduct or behavior while in the waiting room is observed

PHASE II
THE PRE-TEST INTERVIEW
This is the stage of interview of the subject. The primary purpose of the pre-test interview is to
prepare or condition the subject for the test. The following should be taken considerations:
 The appraisal of subject’s constitutional right
 Obtain subject’s consent to undergo polygraph test by signing a statement of consent
 The taking of personal data of the subject
 Determining his/her suitability as a subject
 Evaluating the psychological preparation of the subject
 Informing the subject of his involvement with the case.

The following rights of the subject must be informed clearly to him/her:

a. The right to remain silent.
b. Anything he/she say may be used in favor or against him/her.
c. The right to have a lawyer of his/her own choice
d. Right to refuse
 The following is the detailed outline of the pre-test interview which has been found
to be effective:
a. As the examiner enters the waiting room to request the subject to accompany him into the
examination room, greeting which the examiner extends should be cordial, but firm.
b. Upon entering the examination room the subject should be requested to sit down in a chair
alongside the instrument, and immediately thereafter the examiner should proceed to the taking
of the consent of the subject.
c. Then fill up the necessary data asked in the interrogation log.
d. Afterwards inquire from the subject whether he has been on a lie detector test before. No further
comment should be made by the examiner but he should listen carefully to whatever the subject
himself may say.
e. If the subject has not told of the purpose of his appearance in the testing laboratories, the
examiner should explain that a lie detector test is desired of him as part of the investigation
regarding the case. Much time should be spent in the preliminary interview as the circumstances
reasonably warrants.

Example of Polygraph Examination

Statement of Consent

In the presence of witnesses, whose signatures appear below, my rights against self-incrimination have
been explained to me by the polygraph examiner of the ________ Crime Laboratory. He/She informed
me that I have the right to remain silent, that anything I say may be used as evidence against me; that I
have the right to have a lawyer on my own choice or the one appointed to me; that this examination is
being conducted in connection with the investigation of _____________________________________ of
which I am __________________________________.

He/She further explained to me the nature of polygraph examination and the facts that I cannot be
required to submit said examination without consent.
Understanding my rights as stated above, I hereby voluntarily without force, coercion unlawful influences,
promise of reward, clemency or immunity submit to a polygraph examination with/ without the assistance
of a counsel this _______ day of ________________ 20__.

_____________________________
Examinee

Witnesses:

____________________________
____________________________

Legal Counsel: ____________________________________

Examiner: ____________________________________

Example of Pre-Test Interview Form

PERSONAL DATA OF THE SUBJECT

Case No: _______________________

Name:____________________________________________________________________________Age: ________
Address:________________________________________________________________________________________
Place of Birth: ___________________________________ Date of Birth: ____________________ Civil Status: _____
Height: __________ Weight: _____________________ Built: _________________________ Religion : ___________
Complexion: _____________________________________ Scars: _________________________________________
Marks: __________________________________________ Amputation (if any): _____________________________
Occupation: ______________________________________ Contact No: ____________________________________
Education: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Hobbies: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Previous Examination: ____________________________________________________________________________
Previous Hospitalization: __________________________________________________________________________
Time slept last night: __________________________________ Time woke up: ______________________________
Last meal taken: _______________________________________Time:
_____________________________________
Physical Condition: _______________________________________________________________________________
Medicine taken: _______________________________ Dosage: _______________________ Time: ______________
Physician’s comment: _____________________________________________________________________________
Wine/alcohol taken: ___________________________ Quantity: _________________________ Time: ___________
Comprehension: _________________________________________________________________________________
Subject’s Version: ________________________________________________________________________________

Behavior during the

Initial Interview: _________________________________________________________________________________

Question Review: ________________________________________________________________________________

During the Test:

___ Cooperative ___ Uncooperative ___ Body Movement

___ Extreme Nervousness ____ Failed to follow the instructions ____ Evasive tactics

After the test:

____ Leave room immediately _____ Inquire about results

____ Wait for instruction to leave

Remarks made:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________
Interviewer/Interrogator

PHASE III – THE EXAMINATION PROPER

After the pre-test interview, the examiner should proceed to the placement or attachment of
polygraph sensors. The first to be attached is the pneumograph, followed by the
Cardiosphygmograph and the Galvanograph sensors.

 Review all the questions with the subject before the actual examination is made.
 The examiner should discourage any comments or statement by the subject.
 Test instrument must be given to the subject upon completion of the necessary
preliminary preparation.
 The instrument is attached to the subject then:
a. The blood pressure pulse cuff is wrapped around the subjects upper arm or bicep and
the pneumograph tube will be adjusted around the chest and abdomen.
b. The cuff is then inflated to a point approximate midway between the systolic and
diastolic blood pressure.
c. The synchronous motor carrying the paper upon which blood pressure pulse
respirations recording are made is then set into motion. The paper moves along the
rate of six (6) t0 twelve (12) inches per minute. Then ten (10) to fifteen (15) seconds
after the instrument has been set into motion, the inked filled pens of the instrument
are permitted to record the blood pressure, respirations by means of tracings before
the question are asked to the subject.
d. During the test the subject is informed that he will be asked several questions which
should be answered by ‘yes’ or ‘no’ only, and that they are so brief and straight to the
point.
e. Approximately five (5) to ten (10) seconds after the instruction, first question will be
asked and then the other questions follow after or at the interval of fifteen (15) or
twenty (20) seconds.

Take Note:

 The questions may be written in advance of the test or in the course of the test during
the intervals between the asking of each question.
 The phraseology of the test question is an extremely important aspect of the
examination.
 Every word used in the question must be unambiguous, unequivocal, and thoroughly
understandable by the subject.
 The question must be stated as simple as possible, and with a complete avoidance of
such double inquiries as “Did you shoot him and then run into the house”?
 All questions must have single, unambiguous meaning.
 Avoid lengthy questions and avoid legal terms such as rape, murder, embezzlement,
etc.

Limiting Scope of Questions

 The relevant test questions used in any examination should be confined to a single case
investigation.
 The polygraph technique is not effective for stimulation testing. Regarding two or more
unrelated occurrences.
 With all the gadgets attached to the body of the subject, the instrument will start running by
applying pressure on a button.
 The subject then will be asked to answer the following standard questions:

 Irrelevant questions (unleaded/immaterial questions) - these are questions which have

no bearing to the case under investigation.
Example: Is your name Melvin Oyanib?
 Relevant questions (leaded/material questions) – these are questions pertaining to the
issue under investigation. It is equally important to limit the number of relevant questions to
avoid discomfort to the subject. Relevant questions must be very specific to obtain an
accurate result.
Example: Did you stab that woman this morning/afternoon?
 Control questions (comparison question) – these are questions unrelated to the matter
under investigation but are of similar nature although less serious as compared to those
relevant questions under investigation. The use of control question is considered by many
polygraphist to be the most reliable and effective question technique. These are usually
asked if there is doubt in the interpretation of the subject’s response to relevant and
irrelevant questions.
Example: Before arriving at Old Sagay, did you ever lose your temper when you
shouldn’t have?

Stimulation test – it is designed to improve test validity. Different questioning techniques may then be
used based on information revealed the subject. In most techniques, any new questions would be
discussed with the subject before being asked. It is also called as “stim” test, designed to further
convince subjects of the accuracy of the polygraph examination.

Sensitivity test
Have the subject take a deep breath or touch subject’s ear or neck or make a quick motion
within subject’s line of vision.

Technical Production of Tracings

1. For CARDIO tracings
a. The ascending limb – pulse wave causes an expansion of the arterial wall and an
increase surface pressure against the cuff bladder thus forcing air from the bladder
through the tubing into the tambour. The increasing air volume in the tambour
increases pressure against the bellows and forces the bellows forward. This forward
movement provides power to move the pen fork in the attached in a lateral clockwise
or upward direction pen in a lateral clockwise or upward direction of the chart surface
b. Descending limb – when a pulsed passes beyond cuff bladder attendant drop in a
surface pressure against bladder reverses this processes permitting the bellow to
return to or towards its original position. This return of the bellows to its original
position is transmitted to the pen forks and attached pen as a lateral counter clockwise
or downward stroke on chart surface.
c. Diacrotic notch – is cause by minor secondary pulse wave passing under and beyond
the blood pressure cuff. In the wake of subsiding primary wave which momentarily
halts or slow down the decrease in the surface pressure against the bladder in turn
causing a hesitation in the below movement back to or towards its original position.
2. For PNEUMO tracings
 a. Ascending limb – with the expansion of the chest during inhalation, the air capacity
in the pneumograph tube is increased creating a vacuum within the system, which
reduces the internal surface pressure against the bellow. Thus moving the bellow to or
toward its original position and producing a lateral counter- clockwise or a downward
movement of the pen
b. Descending limb – it is cause by the exhalation thus reversing this process causing
an increase in internal surface pressure against the bellows, thus moving the bellow to
or toward its original position and producing a lateral counter clockwise or a downward
movement of the pen.
3. For GALVO Tracings:
a. The ascending limb – it is caused by the decrease of the subject’s resistance which
throws the established circuit out of balance and modifies the electric current flow
through the magnetic field surrounding the pivot-movement of the recording pen.
b. Descending limb – physical cause is caused by a reverse in the subject’s resistance
toward the original position thus bringing the circuit back to or toward balance again
producing a lateral clockwise or downward movement of the pen. Mechanical cause
is the fine coil springs attached the pivot mountain pen cradle serve as counter balance
for pen movement either above or below the established base line and assists in
returning the pen cradle to or towards the original position.

STANDARD COMPUTING RATE

 The graph paper is lined and spaced in seconds.

 It is moving under pens at a uniform rate of six inches per minute. Rate is kept uniform
through medium of synchronized motor.
 From one heavy vertical line constitute a five second period. It is also one half inch.
 Count the beats inside any five seconds scale multiply by twelve.
 It gives the number of heart beats at any point of the test.
 For greater accuracy you count the beats in two five seconds area multiply by six

PHASE IV – THE POST TEST INTERVIEW

 This stage includes all considerations that bears in the examination.

 This is done just after the instrument is turned off.
 If the polygraph test result indicates deception, the examiner will then proceed to conduct short
interrogation.
 The purpose of which is to obtain confession.
 However, if the polygraph indicates that the subject is innocent; the examiner will just release
the subject cordially and thanks him/her for his/her cooperation.

The purposes of further questioning after the test are:

a. To clarify findings
b. To learn if there are any reasons for the subject’s responding to a relevant question, other
than the knowledge of the crime; and
c. To obtain additional information and admission for law enforcement purposes, if the results
suggest deception.
Let’s do this activity 

Answer the following questions related to the topic about procedures in

polygraph examination.

1. Discuss the importance and essence of each procedure as mentioned

below.
 Preliminary preparations
 Pre-test interview
 Examination proper
 Post-test interview
2. Is it necessary to follow the procedures in polygraph examination? Why?
3. Assuming that you are the polygraph examiner, how are you going to make
the examination more reliable and acceptable without much discrepancies?
4. As a student, why we need to know and understand the process in
conducting polygraph examination?
5. Write your own reflection about the topic.