After you have learned the general concepts on the phases and types of questions in

polygraph examination. Let us now determine the historical background of lie detection, the
different early methods and techniques, and some other main topics on how to formulate test
questions.

Lesson 1
Historical Background of Lie Detection, Different Methods of
Detecting Deception, Early and Contemporary Methods of
Detecting Deception

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STATISTICAL FACTS OF THE HISTORY OF POLYGRAPH:

In 1895, Cesare Lombroso M.D., an Italian criminologist, published the second edition of
L’Homme Criminal. It documents his use of a plethysmograph and sphygmomanometer
during the interrogation of criminal suspects; used HYDROSPHYGMOGRAPH for detecting
deception. The first person to utilize an instrument for the purpose of detecting lie, through
BLOODPRESSURE.

Vittorio Benussi, 1914 - Conducted experiments using the pneumograph for the detection of
deception. Noted that the inspiration-expiration ratio changed during deception. His theory
was that if the leng th of expiration, the ratio would be greater before truth telling than
afterwards, and greater after lying than before lying; He considered the Respiration Changes
as symptoms of deception.

John A. Larson - constructed the instrument capable of continuously recording all the
phenomena such as blood pressure, pulse and respiration. In the year
1921. He also was the first to use more than one recording to detect deception

William Moulton Marston - used SPHYGMOMANOMETER attach to blood pressure. He

recorded the respiration noted through the time when the subject’s response verbally. He used
also GALVANOMETER to record the skin resistance changes and a gripping device to
record tension.

Leonarde Keeler - constructed a more satisfactory instrument than the one used by Larson. In
the year 1926 the polygraph included in addition to units for recording blood pressure, pulse,
and galvanic skin reflex or electrodermal response known as GSR. Keeler also to be credited
with introducing the card test used for control purposes.

Reid - the present authors, he then devised an instrument as Reid Polygraph. In the year 1945
he introduced a completely revised polygraph technique, the most significant feature of
which was the utilization of a control question known as the Reid control question technique.

The Polygraph was first introduced to the Philippines in 1945 by the Crime Laboratory of the
Military Police. The Crime Laboratory sent several people including Mr. Jose Navarro and
Conrado Dumlao to the U.S for polygraph training.

In 1950 the National Bureau Investigation sent Mr. Agustin Patricio to train at the keeler
Polygraph Institute. Lawyer Manuel C. Roura also trained their after he succeeded Mr.
Patricio as chief of the Polygraph Division of the NBI Crime Lab Personnel trained in
Polygraph were Ernesto Lucena, Ms. Tessie Logan and Artemio Panganiban Jr.
Methods of Detecting Deceptions
• Ancient Ordeals
• Observation Methods
• Regular Police Methods
• Hypnotism
• Word Association Test
• Truth Serum Test/ Intoxication
• Polygraphy

Some Ancient Ordeals of Detecting Lies

• Red Hot Iron Ordeal
• Ordeal of Balance
• The Boiling Water Ordeal
• Ordeal of the Red Water
• Donkey’s Tail Ordeal
• Rice Chewing Ordeal
• Ordeal by Blessed Bread
• Test of the Eucharist
• Red Hot Iron Ordeal
• Ordeal of Balance
• The Boiling Water Ordeal
• Ordeal of the Red Water
• Donkey’s Tail Ordeal
• Rice Chewing Ordeal
• Ordeal by Blessed Bread
• Test of the Eucharist

Observation Methods

• Thru Facial Expression

• Thru Postural Reaction
• Thru Cause and Effect Process, such as the stimulation-reaction or response test.

Thru Facial Expression

• Blushing, paling or profuse sweating of forehead
• Dilation of the eyes, protrusion of the eyeballs and elevation of upper eyelids
• Squinting of the eyes (showing envy, disdain, distrust, etc.)
• Twitching of the lips
• Excessive winking of eyes
• Failure to look the inquirer “straight into the eye”
 • Excessive activity of Adam’s apple and the vein at the temple due to dryness of throat
and mouth
• Quivering of nose or nostrils
• A peculiar monotone of the voice
• A forced laugh
• Rolling of eyeballs from one direction to another

Thru Postural Reaction

• Fidgeting, tapping or drumming of fingers on the chair or other surfaces
• Swinging of legs or one leg over the other
• Unnecessary movements of hands and feet (like scratching, nail-biting, thumb – or
finger sucking
• Pulsation of the carotid artery in the neck
• Incoherence, trembling and sweating of the whole body

The CAUSE & EFFECT Process

• The Stimulus -> Reaction -> Response
• The Stimulus -> Fight! or Flight!

ACTIVITY NO.1
EARLY METHOD OF DETECTING DECEPTION
Objective:
Identify the early methods of detecting deception.

Directions:
1. Give the at least two (2) different early methods of detecting deception.
2. Discuss briefly each method.

Answers:

 The observation method

 This is one of the earlier methods or said to be the beginning of early
detecting deception by the power of doubt as simple looking at person who
acted in a strange behavior and that raised a suspicion when questioned or
interrogated, like a kid who can’t gazed into their parents’ eyes after denying
that they committed in broking the glass vase. Police investigators adopted
this method as most suspect show a similar and odd pattern of behaviors
during the time being questioned or pressed, as we mostly call it as “acting
guilty”. This method includes the varieties of being “sus” observing thru facial
expression, thru postural reaction, and the cause and effect process. The
accuracy of this method still debatable and not hundred percent accurate.

 Ordeals

This method never actually used in the modern times as it termed to be

inhumane and inaccurate as it uses the pain in order to get a confession. This
includes like “red hot iron ordeal” by having the questioned person get to hold
a hot iron bar and walk for 9ft (3m) and if they would heal cleanly within
three days then they are clear of all doubts and innocent, but if they don’t, they
probable deceiving people and committed such act. Some ordeals are cruel in
nature and some aren’t like ordeal of balance where your acquittal can be
depending on your weight. Overall these methods have no logical basis and
depending only by the power of the above are said to answer in detecting
deception.
ACTIVITY NO. 2
EARLY SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF DETECTING DECEPTION
Objective:
Identify the early scientific method of detecting deception. Directions:

1. Give three (3) different early scientific methods of detecting deception.

2. Discuss each method.

Answers:

 Polygraph

The used of polygraph also known as the automatic indicators is the

best so far in all known techniques for physiological detection of deception. It
shows the goal of all this method to detect deception by analyzing the changes
of signals detected in the body that cannot be normally detected in our naked
eye. It’s still recognizable as a pseudoscience, but the way to obtain data are
based on applied sciences.
 Truth serum/ Intoxication

This method refers to various drugs that have been used in attempts to
extract truthful statements from people. This also include alcoholic beverages.
As they said a drunk man never tell lies. In some study says intoxication and
physiological drugs can really make people tell the truth, but they can develop
immunity of being questioned if they through multiple usage as they can adopt
to it.

 Regular Police Method (Direct Investigation)

This method includes all the logical, scientific, and lawful methods
present in detecting deception being used by the police, such as background
checks, interviews, and the like are already used for making personnel
decisions, both with and without the polygraph as accompaniment.
Presentation of evidence includes here to.