1

POLYGRAPHY
(LIE DETECTION)

POLYGRAPHY
- the scientific method of detecting deception through the use or aid of a polygraph
POLYGRAPH
- a device or instrument for recording changes of blood pressure, pulse beat, respiration and
skin resistance as indication of emotional disturbances especially for lying, when questioned
- derived from the Greek words poly, which means many or several, and graph, which means
writing chart
POLYGRAPH EXAMINER
- any person who uses any device or instrument to test or question individuals for the purpose of
detecting deception
SUBJECT/EXAMINEE
- the person who undergoes a detection of deception examination
EARLY METHODS OF DETECTING DECEPTION
1) red hot iron ordeal
o the accused is told to put his tongue to a red hot iron nine (9) times
o if the tongue is burned, then he is telling a lie, and he will put to death
o if the tongue is not burned, then he is telling the truth
o the basis is that lying would make the tongue dry
2) red water ordeal
o the accused is ordered to fast for twelve hours, then made to swallow small amount of rice
and made to drink dark colored water of up to a gallon which would serve as the emetic
o if the accused throws up all the rice, then he is innocent, otherwise, he is guilty
o the basis is that the dark colored water would examine the heart of the one who drinks it
3) rice chewing ordeal
o the accused is made to ingest rice
o if he could not swallow, then he is guilty
o the basis is that when one feels guilty, there is a suffocating sensation in the throat that
disables a person’s swallowing abilities
4) ordeal of balance
o the accused is made to stand on one end of a balance, with a counter-balance at the other
end
o he will step down and listen as the judge talks, then he will be made to return to the
balance
o if he is found to be lighter than before, then he is innocent
SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF DETECTING DECEPTION
1) LIE DETECTOR TEST
2) ADMINISTRATION OF TRUTH SERUM OR NARCO-ANALYSIS
o detecting deception through the use of a narcotic or anesthetic drug in order to get
information from the subject
o the drug is injected hypodermically or intravenously
o when the effect of the drug has set in, the subject would then be asked questions by the
interrogator
o however, such method is not advisable
3) USE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
o the subject is made to drink alcoholic beverage in such amount that would make him lose
control or inhibitions
o however, information gathered through this method is not admissible in court
4) WORD ASSOCIATION TEST
o a group of words, objects or photographs of objects and persons will be presented to the
subject while questions are asked in relation to them
o the words and ideas revealed by the subject would form a meaningful clue as to the
thought processes of the subject
5) USE OF HYPNOTISM
o the subject is asked questions while under hypnosis
o the information gathered through this method is also not admissible in court

HISTORY OF THE POLYGRAPH

INK POLYGRAPH
- described by Sir James MacKenzie, a medical doctor and heart specialist, in a British medical
journal in 1907
- this instrument was intended solely for medical purposes only
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH COMPONENT
1) CESAR LOMBROSO
- the first person who utilized an instrument for the purpose of detecting deception
- published an account of his work with the police to identify the criminal suspects through
measurement of blood pressure and pulse rate
2) ANGELO MOSSO
- studied fear as an influence in the heart
- developed a type of sphygmomanometer and scientific cradle for study of fear
3) WILLIAM MARSTON
 2

- developed his own method of reading systolic blood pressure

4) JOHN A LARSON
- devised an instrument capable of continuously recording blood pressure changes, pulse rate
and respiration
- developed the breadboard lie detector, that is now a polygraph apparatus, into a portable form

DEVELOPMENT OF THE GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT

1) STICKER
- suggested the use of the first galvonograph for detecting deception based from the works of
several predecessors
- introduced the method of detecting deception from the galvanic impression on the chart tracing
2) VERAGUTH
- the first to use the term psycho-galvanic-skin-reflex
- believed that electrical phenomena are due to the activity of the sweat glands

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT

1) VITTORIO BENUSSI
- noted changes in inspiration-expiration ratio during deception
- recorded respiratory curves of the pnuemograph
2) HAROLD BURTT
- determined that the respiratory changes were indications of deception
- discovered that changes in systolic blood pressure were valuable in determining deception

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODERN POLYGRAPH

LEONARD KEELER
- he incorporated the galvonograph with the measurement of blood pressure and respiration
- he formulated a method of questioning
- he developed the keymograph
THE POLYGRAPH MACHINE

FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE POLYGRAPH

1) PNEUMOGRAPH
o the component of the polygraph that records the respiratory rate changes of the subject

o made up of two (2) units:

a) pneumograph chest assembly
o composed of the rubber-convoluted tube and beaded chain
o the tube is around 10 inches long
b) recording unit
2) GALVANOGRAPH
- the component of the polygraph that records the skin resistance of the subject to very small
amount electricity
- composed of:
a) finger electrode assembly
b) amplifier unit
c) galvanometer-recording unit
3) CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH
- the component that records changes of systolic blood pressure and pulse rate of the subject
- composed of:
a) blood pressure cuff assembly
b) pump bulb assembly
c) sphygmomanometer
d) resonance control
e) recording unit
4) KEYMOGRAPH
- a motor that pulls or drives the chart paper under the recording pen simultaneously at the rate
of 6 or 12 inches per minute
- a chart or paper feed mechanism
- chart paper is driven past the recording penshaft at uniform speed of 6 inches per minute
- chart rolls are about 100 feet
- paper is imprinted with horizontal lines at ¼ inch interval at 20 divisions and vertical lines at
1/10 inch interval with heavy lines at ½ inch divisions across the paper

CHART MARKINGS

X - start of the test

+ - “Yes” answer to question
- - “No” answer to question
M - movement
T - subject talked
S - sigh
L - laughs or chuckles
Y - yawn
B - burb or belch
 3

CT - clearing throat
SN - sniff
SZ - sneeze
XX - end of the test

CHART INTERPRETATION

PNEUMOGRAPH TRACINGS WHICH MAY BE INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION

1) change in rhythm or regularity
2) change in amplitude or volume
3) change in the inhalation or exhalation ratio
4) notched or serrated inhalation or exhalation strokes
5) change of baseline
6) loss of base line
7) hyperventilation
8) suppression
9) respiratory block
GALVANOGRAPH TRACINGS WHICH MAY BE INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION
1) vertical rise at point of deception
2) double saddle response
3) long duration and/or degree of response following point of deception
4) plunging galvo tracing
CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH TRACINGS WHICH MAY BE INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION
1) increase or decrease in blood pressure
2) increase or decrease in pulse rate
3) increase or decrease in amplitude
4) change in position or disappearance of dicrotic notch
5) extrasystoles
GENERAL RULES TO FOLLOW IN CHART INTERPRETATION
1) There must be a specific response.
2) To be specific, the response must form a deviation from the norm of the subject.
3) It must appear in at least two (2) or more test charts
4) The best indication of deception is the simultaneous specific responses in the three (3)
tracings of the chart (pneumograph, galvonograph and cardiosphygmograph)
SPECIFIC RESPONSE
- one that is exhibited by a subject to particular questions, which constitute a deviation from the
subject’s individual norm
NORMAL RESPONSE
- the established norm of the individual
- the tracings representing the subject’s answer to irrelevant questions
LIMITATIONS OF THE POLYGRAPH
1) It is an important investigative aid but never a substitute for an investigation.
2) It cannot determine facts but it can record the difference in the responses.
3) Its accuracy depends greatly on the competency of the polygraph examiner himself.

FOUR PHASES OF THE POLYGRAPH TEST

1) INITIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE INVESTIGATOR HANDLING THE CASE (investigator and
examiner)
o the information supplied by the investigator handling the case becomes the basis for the
formulation of questions of the polygraph examiner to be asked during the instrumental
test
o as much as possible, information must be supplemented by crime scene sketches,
statements taken, photographs, laboratory results and available background information
on the subject

2) PRE-TEST INTERVIEW WITH THE PERSON TO BE EXAMINED

(subject and the polygraph examiner)
o conducted to condition the subject psychologically for responses
o the subject is informed of his right against self-incrimination and his written consent is
taken
o the personal data of the subject is also taken
o the mechanics of the polygraph examination and the functions of the polygraph machine is
explained to the subject
o the subject is made comfortable and relaxed in preparation for the instrumental test
o the period is usually from twenty to thirty minutes

3) CONDUCT OF THE INSTRUMENTAL TEST ( subject and the polygraph)

o the main part of the examination
o the prepared questions are asked to the subject while all the components of the polygraph
are attached and functioning

4) POST-TEST INTERVIEW (subject and the examiner)

o the polygraph is still attached to the subject but is no longer functioning
o if, based on the result of the examination, the polygraph examiner is convinced that the
subject is lying, he will conduct a short interrogation
 4

o if, based on the result of the examination, the polygraph examiner is convinced that the
subject is telling the truth, he will just release the subject and thank him for his cooperation

EXAMINATION ROOM
1) It must be spacious for two persons, furnished with a polygraph desk, a subject’s chair with
arm rest and an examiner’s stool.
2) It must be adequately lighted and well-ventilated.
3) It must be devoid of pictures, paintings, decorations and other ornaments.
4) It must be private and generally free from all outside noise and distracting influences,
preferably, soundproof.
5) It may be furnished with an observation one-way mirror and remote sound system or video for
monitoring of test proceedings by authorized personnel.

KINDS OF TEST QUESTIONS

1) RELEVANT QUESTIONS
o the primary or key questions asked by the examiner in order to resolve a specific subject
matter
o that verbal stimulus of primary importance projected in the form of a question that
overcomes the psychological statement level and causes the pneumograph,
cardiosphygmograph and galvonograph tracing to change from the subject’s physiological
norm
o further classified according to their stimulation effect:

i. strong relevant or primary relevant

 questions with intense and specific relationship to the crime or problem being
considered
 designed and constructed to test for direct involvement only and specifically
designed to produce an emotional response in guilty subjects

ii. secondary relevant or weak relevant

 concerned with some secondary elements of the crime or problem
 deals mostly on guilty knowledge and partial involvement
 further classified as follows:
1. sacrifice relevant question:
 designed to absorb the response generally generated by the
introduction of the firm relevant question in the series
 it reveals the subject’s norm plus stimulus and excitement level
2. evidence-connecting question
 designed to stimulate the guilty subject and focus his attention on the
probability of incriminating proof that would tend to establish his guilt

3. knowledge question
 designed to probe whether the subject possesses information regarding
the identity of the offender or as to the location of evidence or other
secondary elements or facts of the case

2) IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS
o these have no relation to the matter under investigation and deal on known facts that the
subject cannot deny
o answerable by “Yes”
o designed to absorb the initial response as to the question sequence commences and to
produce little or no emotional change in the subject
o primary purpose is to ascertain the subject’s normal reaction under testing condition

3) CONTROL QUESTIONS/ PROBABLE LIE QUESTIONS

o designed to produce a response in the innocent subject and serve as basis for evaluating
the subject’s perceptual set
o further classified into:
i. primary control questions
 based on a known lie
ii. secondary control question

DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEST

1) GENERAL QUESTION TEST
o consists of a series of relevant and irrelevant questions being asked in a planned order
o questions are so arranged as to make possible a comparison of responses to relevant
questions with a subject’s norm made during the answering of irrelevant questions

2) PEAK OF TENSION TEST

o resembles, in a very general way, the card test, for it consists essentially of the asking of a
series of questions in which only one has any bearing upon the matter under investigation
o this one pertinent question refers to some detail of the incident or occurrence which could
not have been known by an innocent person or by anyone who had not been informed
previously of such detail
 5

3) CARD TEST
o the subject is presented with seven (7) previously numbered cards face down
o he will be instructed to take one, look at it and return it with the rest of the cards
o the examiner will shuffle the cards and each card will be shown to him, with the instruction
that he will answer “No” to all cards, even if the one being shown to him is the one he has
seen earlier

4) GUILT COMPLEX TEST

o used primarily for overly responsive subjects
o the examiner would tell the subject a totally fictitious incident but of a similar nature to the
matter being investigated and make him believe it is real
o the purpose is to compare the responses with those responses made concerning the
actual matter under investigation

5) MIXED QUESTION TEST

o consists essentially of an arrangement of the first and third test questions
o administered primarily for the purpose of discounting the possible factor of accidental
responses on earlier tests or to compare the degree of reaction between relevant and
control questions

6) SILENT ANSWER TEST

o one in which the subject is instructed by the examiner to refrain during the test from giving
any audible answer to the questions that are being asked
o the subject is told to listen to each question and to answer only to himself, silently

GENERAL RULES IN FORMULATING TEST QUESTIONS

1) Questions must be simple and direct.
2) They must not involve legal terminologies.
3) They must be as short as possible.
4) They must be answerable by “Yes” or “No”.
5) They must not be in the form of an accusation.
6) Their meaning must be clear and they must be phrased in a language that the subject can
easily understand.
7) They must never contain inference which presupposes knowledge on the part of the subject.
8) They must refer to one offense only.
9) They must refer to one element of the offense.
10) They must not contain inferences to one’s religion, race or belief.

SOME SIGNS OF GUILT RESPONSE INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION

1) INTERNAL RESPONSE
a) quickening palpitation of the heart
b) dryness of the mouth
c) lump in the throat
d) sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach
e) griping of intestine

2) EXTERNAL RESPONSE
a) facial expression
1. blushing, paling and profuse sweating on the forehead
2. twitching at the corner of the lips
3. excessive winking and movement of the veins at the temple
4. dilation of the eyes, protrusion of the eyeballs and elevation of the upper eyelid
b) postural reaction
1. inability of the subject’s eyes to look straight to the examiner
2. excessive movement of the Adam’s apple
3. peculiar monotone of the voice
4. fidgeting with the fingers, tapping or drumming on the chair or table
5. hands and feet exhibiting a state of uneasiness

PHYSICAL REQUISITES BEFORE SUBJECT MAY UNDERGO EXAMINATION

1) The subject must have at least five hours of sleep the night before the polygraph examination.
2) He must refrain from smoking for at least two hours before the examination.
3) He must not be subjected to an interrogation for a prolonged period.
4) He must be free from physical harm.
5) He must refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages, taking narcotic drugs or sedatives and other
similar medications.
6) He must not be hungry.
7) He must not be suffering from any permanent or temporary physical illness such as: mental
derangement, certain heart conditions, breathing disorder, fever, severe cold and cough,
allergy, stomachache, toothache and others.
8) He must not be highly emotional.
9) If a woman, she must not be pregnant and free from her monthly menstrual cycle.