MODULE: Criminology Integration 2 (Crime Detection, Investigation and

Prevention, Criminalistics)
CHAPTER XII

POLYGRAPHY

Objectives:

In the end of this chapter, the students should be:

 Know how to use major components of polygraph

machine
 Understood the formulation of questions

Polygraphy – is scientific methods of detecting deception done with the aid of a

polygraph instrument.

Polygraph - (derived from the Greek words Poly) many or several and Graph =
(writing chart) is a scientific instrument capable of recording simultaneously
changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration and skin resistance as
indicative of emotional disturbance especially of a lying subject when being
questioned.

Thomas Jefferson- first person known who used the term Polygraph to described
one of his inventions

IMPORTANT PERSONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLYGRAPH

Angelo Mosso - He made used of an instrument called plethysmograph in his

research on emotion and fear and its influence on the heart and respiration.

 He developed a scientific cradle

Cesare Lombroso- he relates the use of hydrosphygmograph during
interrogation of suspects. He called it blood pressure pulse test.

 He is considered as the first person to conceive the idea

of lie detection and the first to apply the technique in
actual criminal suspects
Francis Galton- in 1879, introduced the Word Association Test using series of
irrelevant questions and relevant question separated in time.

B. Sticker- believed that the origin of the galvanic skin phenomenon was under
the influence of the exciting mental impressions and that the will has no effect
upon it.

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 He made the earliest application of
psychogalvanometer to forensic problems.
Sir James Mackenzie- an English clinician and cardiologist, constructed the
Clinical Polygraph in 1892, an instrument to be used for medical examinations
with the capability to simultaneously record undulated line tracings of the
vascular pulses (radial, venous and arterial), by way of a stylus onto a revolving
drum of smoked paper.

Dr. William M. Marston- in 1915 was credited as the creator of the systolic blood-
pressure test used in an attempt to detect deception during questioning, and
using a standard blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, requiring repeated
inflation of the pressure cuff to obtain readings at intervals during examination.
This was called Discontinuous Technique.

Harold Burtt- In 1918, Burtt suggested that the changes in respiration were an
indication of deception.

John A. Larson - encouraged by August Vollmer of the Berkeley Police

Department to conduct a research on deception.

-Cardio-Pneumo Psychogram was Larson’s first instrument which was

borrowed from Dr. Robert Jessel and was invented by Earl Bryant

In 1921, Earl Bryant made an instrument for Larson in which he used a

breadboard as a base and from that it became in the industry as Breadboard
Polygraph – capable of recording continually and simultaneously the respiration
and cardiovascular activities.

Today he is known as the Father of Scientific Lie Detection and at the

same time the Father of Polygraph

Leonarde Keeler- in 1926, he made a modification of Larson’s instrument. He

developed that metal bellows and kymograph that pulled a chart paper at a
constant speed under recording pens from a roll of chart located inside the
instrument.

in 1938, 1938, Keeler included the Psychogalvanometer (PGR), a third

measuring component of his instrument which was also known as Galvanic Skin
Reflex (GSR) invented by Italian Physiologist Galvani in 1791.

= credited as the creator on Relevant-Irrelevant Technique.

= today Keeler is known as the Father of Modern Polygraphy.

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Epinephrine = is the hormonal stimulator of the sympathetic nervous system. It

acts to constrict peripheral blood flow, raise blood pressure, increase cardiac
activity, promote metabolic activity through the release of glucose, and inhibit
digestive processes.

= it is called Adrenaline in British

Norepinephrine = is a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland, it works alongside

with epinephrine/adrenaline to give the body sudden energy in times of stress,
known as the "fight or flight" response.

 it is called Noradrenaline in British.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF POLYGRAPH

1. Pneumograph = designed to detect and record changes in respiration of the

subject which consists of the ff:

 Rubber Convoluted Tube =

about 10 inches corrugated
rubber attached to the body of
the subject.
 Beaded Chain = used to lock the
rubber convoluted tube.
 Recording Pen Unit = consisting
of two 5 inches recording pen
 Centering Knob = used to center
the pen
 Sensitivity Knob = used to adjust the desired size of tracings
 Vent = used to release excess pressure from the system
 Pneumo Module = located inside the instrument that receives the
reactions detected by the corrugated tube and moves the pen to
record the reactions on the chart

2. Cardiosphygmograph- Designed to detect changes in the cardiovascular

activity of the subject. It consists of:

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a. Blood Pressure Cuff = attached to the upper right arm of the subject,
above the brachial artery.

b. Sphygmamonometer = used to indicate the amount of air pressure

inflated to the system. Usually about 60 mm of mercury for male subject.

c. Recording Pen Unit = five (5) inches length

d. Air Pump/Pump Bulb = designed to supply air to the system

e. Cardio Module = located inside the instrument that receives the

reactions detected by the cuff and moves the pen to record the reactions
on the chart

f. Sensitivity Control = used to adjust the desired size of tracings

g. Centering Control = designed to center the pen on the chart

h. Vent = Used to release excess pressure from the system

Cardiosphygmograph provides a record of the following:

1. Relative Blood Volume/Pressure = is the changes in the average value

of the cardio tracing (waveform) with respect to a baseline.

a. Diastolic Blood Pressure = refers to the downward blood

pressure representing the low pressure to the closing of the valves
and heart relaxed.

b. Systolic Blood Pressure = the upward blood pressure as the apex

of the curve caused by the contraction of the heart, valves are open
and blood is rushing into the arteries.

2. Pulse Amplitude = is the changes in pulse amplitude (tracing height)

independent of baseline.

3. Pulse Rate = changes in heart rate or time between pulses.

4. Dicrotic Notch = changes in relative position of the dicrotic notch or

pulse waveform

= short horizontal notch in a cardio-tracing located at the middle of the

diastolic stem

3. Galvanograph- designed to detect changes in skin resistance of the subject.

Consists of:

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a. Finger Electrode Assembly consists of:

a.1. finger Electrode Plate and Retainer Bond- attached to the

index and ring finger of the subject.

a.2. Connecting Plug = attached the system to the instrument

b. Recording Pen Unit = usually 7 inches

c. Amplifier Unit = designed to support the galvanometer in converting

electrical to mechanical current.

d. Sensitivity Control = used to adjust the desired size of tracings

e. Centering Control = designed to center the pen on the chart

f. GSR Module = located inside the instrument that receives the reactions
detected by the finger electrodes and moves the pen to record the
reactions on the chart

How does it Records?

Galvanic Skin Response is the change in the body’s resistance to the

passage of a minute electrical sensing current.

The electrodes electrically connect the subject to the instrument. These

provide a 5 microamp sensing current to the subject, far below the threshold
of feeling.

Kymograph - serves as the paper feed mechanism of the polygraph machine

 It is a motor that pulls or drives the cart paper under the recording
pen simultaneously at the rate of five seconds per vertical chart
division or twelve divisions in one minute run.
a. Chart- approximately 100 ft. rolled graph paper with approximately ¼
inch horizontal division and ½ inch vertical division equivalent to 5 seconds
run

b. Cutter Bar- used to cut the paper at the end of the test

c. Rubber Roller- the one responsible for pulling the paper out of the
machine.

d. Pen Table- flat portion where the pen write on the chart.

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e. Paper Rail Guide- serves as the security for the unnecessary movement
of the chart paper or to ensure the paper’s forward movement without
shaking.

f. Synchronous Motor- runs the chart paper at the uniform rate speed
regardless of the voltage change.

Pen and Inking System - the one that provides for the permanent record of the
test

Capillary Ink a water based ink intended for polygraph instruments

FORMULATION OF TEST QUESTIONS

1. Irrelevant Question - a question that has no connection with the matter under
investigation and deals with known facts that the subject cannot be denied. It is
designed to be emotionally neutral to examinees and usually answerable by “yes’.
Also called Neutral Question.

2. Symptomatic Question - is designed to ensure that the examiner will not ask
un-reviewed questions or that the examinee is not afraid that the examiner will
ask un-reviewed questions.

Examples:

 Do you believe me when I promised not to ask a question in this test I have
not gone over word for word?
 Even though I promised I would not, are you afraid I will ask a question in
this test I have not gone over word for word?

3. Sacrifice Relevant Question - it introduces the relevant question to the subject

Designed to absorb the response generated by the introduction of relevant

question in the series

Example:

 Regarding the (matter under investigation), are you willing to answer the
questions truthfully?
4. Relevant Question- a question deals with the matter under investigation.
Color coded red in computerized instruments. It is designed to generate
reactions from deceptive subject.

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Types of Relevant Question

a. Primary Relevant (Strong Relevant) - addresses the primary issue or direct

involvement of the subject on the matter under question. It is use primarily with
the single-issue examination.

 Ex. Did you take that missing money?

b. Secondary Relevant (Weak Relevant) - deals with the physical acts that
support the primary issue. This is usually use in multi-issue examination.

 Ex. Did you participate in the theft of that missing money?

c. Guilty Knowledge - designed to probe whether the subject possesses
information regarding the identity of the offender or the facts of the case under
question.

 Ex. Do you know who took that missing money?

d. Evidence Connecting Question - test question in which the examinee is asked
about a particular piece of physical evidence that would incriminate the guilty
person. It could be items left at the crime scene by the perpetrator or stolen
property.

 Ex. Do you know where any of that missing money is right now?
5. Comparison Question - a question which is the same in nature with that of
the relevant question but broad in scope.

- is used for comparative purposes with the relevant question.

- designed to generate reactions from truthful subject.

Types of Comparison Question

a. Directed Lie Comparison Question (DLC) - a comparison question in which

the examinee is instructed by the examiner to answer the questions untruthfully.

Some examiners actually get admission to comparison questions and

then instruct the examinee to lie to that question when it is asked.

b. Probable Lie Comparison Question (PLC) - a question to which it is likely that

the examinee is untruthful with his answer.

Broad in scope and usually based on actions categorically similar to that of

the issue under investigation.

Types of Probable Lie

a. Inclusive - a comparison question which include the relevant time period under
investigation. It was originally designed by Reid.
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 This type of question usually starts with the phrase: “In your entire
life,…..”. Also termed as inclusionary.

b. Exclusive - a comparison question separated in time, place and category

from the relevant question. It was introduced by Cleve Backster. He believes
that this prevents the guilty suspect from perceiving the comparison question as
an ambiguous relevant question.

Example:

 During the first __ years of your life, did you ever ____?
 Prior to 2009, did you ever _____ ?

Types of Polygraph Technique/Test

1. General Question Test - consist of series of relevant, irrelevant control

questions in a planned order. Developed by John E. Reid

2. Relevant/Irrelevant Test - consists primarily of series of irrelevant questions

and relevant question pertaining to the crime under investigation. Developed by
Keeler.

3. Peak of Tension Test - consist of only one relevant and a series of irrelevant
questions.

Resemble, in every general way, the card test, for it consist

essentially of the asking of a series of question in which only one
has any bearing upon the matter under investigation.
 Padding questions before and after the relevant questions.
Two Types of POT Test

 Known Solution Peak of Tension Test (KSPOT) - is used to determine

whether the examinee is aware of details of a crime that have been kept
from the general public and would presumably only be known to the
perpetrator of the crime or those with incriminating knowledge.
 Searching Peak of Tension Test (SPOT) - is used to determine details of
a crime that are not known to officials, such as the location of an
unrecovered body, but would be known to a participant in the crime.

4. Card test / Acquaintance Test / Stimulation Test - the subject is presented

with seven (7) previously numbered cards face down.

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-he will be instructed to take one, look at it and return it with the rest of
the cards.

-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.

5. Guilt Complex Test used primarily for overly responsive subjects.

- A totally fictitious incident but a similar nature to the matter being

investigated and make him believe it is real.

- The purpose is to compare the response with those response made

concerning the actual matter under investigation

6. Silent Answer Test - Subject is instructed not to give any verbal answer, the
subject will only answer in his mind.

7. Comparison Question Test (CQT) - the reactions on the control and relevant
questions are compared via numerical scoring.

Polygraph Examiner is one who is capable of detecting deception and verifying

the truthfulness of statement through the use of a polygraph instrument.

It is someone who has successfully completed formal education and

training in conducting polygraph examination and is certified by his agency to
conduct such examination.

Subject - is any person who undergoes polygraph examination.

Polygraph Examination - a process that encompasses all activities that take

place between a polygraph examiner and an examinee during a specific series of
interactions. For a valid polygraph examination to exist, respiration, EDA, and
Cardiovascular activity must be monitored and recorded.

Two Types of Polygraph Exam

1. Mixed Issue Exam - multiple-issue polygraph testing like screening of

applicants or audit of employees or persons with security clearances.

2. Diagnostic Exam - a test which involves specific case investigation.

Types of Diagnostic Exam

1. Single Issue Exam - a test which inquires direct involvement of subject into a
specific case under question.
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2. Mult-facet Exam - test format in which the relevant questions are targeted
toward different elements of the same crime.

Chart markings - are annotations of the physiologic tracings to denote stimulus

(question) onset and offset, examinee’s answer, question number, question label,
artifacts, and other details important to the interpretation of the physiological
data.

Admissibility of Result

In the Philippines, polygraph results are not admitted as evidence. Many

polygraph examiners and lawyers have attempted presenting polygraph evidence
in court but all resulted to futile.

Philippines

 Rule 130 section 49 of the Rules on Evidence provides that:

“The opinion of a witness on matter requiring special knowledge,
skill, experience or training which he shown to possess, may be received in
evidence.”

U.S. United States v. Frye – 1923 – NOT ADMITTED AS EVIDENCE (First case
in Polygraphy)

References:
https://www.elsevier.com/books/fundamentals-of-polygraph-
practice/krapohl/978-0-12-802924-4

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