LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES

KNOWN METHODS OF DECEPTION

DETECTION
• Ancient methods
• Observation methods
• Hypnotism
• Brain Wave Fingerprinting

USE OF DRUGS THAT TRY TO INHIBIT THE INHIBITOR

• Administration of truth serum
• Narcoanalysis or narcosynthesis
• Intoxication

DEVICES WHICH RECORD THE PSYCO-PHYSIOLOGICAL

RESPONSE
• Word association test
• Psychological Stress Evaluation
• Polygraph test technique

ANCIENT METHODS OF DETECTING

DECEPTION
What is Ordeal?
A severe test of character or endurance; a trying course of experience, A medieval form of
judicial trial in which the accused was subjected to physical tests, as carrying or walking over
burning objects or immersing the hand in scalding water, the result being considered a divine
judgment of guilt or innocence.

It is also a term of varying meaning closely related in the Medieval Latin “Dei Indicum”
meaning “Miraculous decision.” Ordeal is also an ancient method of trial in which the accused
was exposed to physical danger which was supposed to be harmless if he was innocent.

1. Red hot iron ordeal - Practiced on the hill tribe of Rajhmal in the North Bengal; Accused
placed his tongue to a red hot iron nine times (9) unless burned sooner; If burned, he is
put to death. Not only that (licking the iron), he is also made to carry the metal into his
hands. It is doubtful whether the ordeal is meant to determined the physiological
changes occurring in description for if this so, many false observations must have been
made.

2. Ordeal by balance - Practiced in the Institute of Vishnu, India; Scale of balanced is used;
In one end of the scale, the accused is placed in the other end, a counter balance; The
person will step out of the scale listened to a judge deliver an extortion is the balance
and her back in. If he were found to be lighter than before then he should be acquitted.
3. Boiling water ordeal - Used in Africa; the method was that the subject will plunged their
right arms into the boiling pot to the elbow and step into the other side of the fire. All
are told to undergo the test without a murmur. And when all are finished, they are told
to return at the same time the next afternoon. The one who by that time had lost some
or showed blisters would prove the thief (Point out who is the one who steal among his
tribe mates)

4. Ordeal by rice chewing - Practiced by Indians; It is formed with a kind of rice called
sathee, prepared with various incantations; The person on trial eats, with his face to the
and then spits upon an eyeful leaf; If the saliva is mixed with blood or the corner of his
mouth swell or he trembles, he is declared then a liar.

5. Ordeal of the red water - Used in a wide region of Eastern Africa; The ordeal of the
“sassy bark” or red water is used; The accused is made to fast for twelve hours; The
swallow a small amount of rice; Then he will be imbibed in dark colored water. This
water is actually an emetic and if the suspects ejects all the rice, he is considered
innocent of the chare, Otherwise, the accused is guilty.

6. Combination of Drinks and Food Ordeal -The accused first fasted for 12 hours and the
given small amount of rice to ear followed by large amount of black colored water. If the
concoction was vomited, the accused was pronounced innocent; Otherwise, guilty. And
practiced by “West African Regions”.

7. Trial by Combat - A fight between the accuser and the accused, whoever lost the battle
will be the adjudged guilty. Originated from India and one of the examples of this: a rich
man or accuser could hire somebody or bigger one to fight the accused. After the fight
the loser is adjudged guilty of crime.

8. Trial by Torture - The accused was put into a severe physical test.

9. Drinking Ordeal - The accused was given a decoction to drink by a priest – if innocent;
no harm befalls him, but if guilty, will die. Practiced in Nigeria and India.

10. Trial of the Eucharist - This trial is reserved for the clergy, and administered with pomp
and ceremony. If the accused was guilty, the Angel Gabriel will descend from heaven
and prevent the accused from swallowing the food given to him. Practiced in the
European countries.

11. Ordeal by heat and fire – The accused was compelled to walk bare footed through a
fire; if he remains unhurt then he is innocent. Practiced in East Germany, Early
Scandinavian Countries and early England.

12. Ordeal of Red hot Needle - Red hot needle was drawn through the lips of the accused, if
innocent; no blood will be seen flowing out. Practiced in Wanaka, East Africa.
 13. Ordeal of the Tiger - Accuser and accused were placed together in the same and a tiger
set loose upon them. If both were spared, further elimination followed. Practical in
Siam.

14. Test of the Cross ordeal - The accuser and accused each were made to stand with arms
crossed on their breasts. The one who endured the longest was deemed to have told
the truth, the other,is the liar. Practiced in Europe.

15. Donkey’s Tail Ordeal – Psychological theory, the donkey placed in one room alone and
observed it, and if the donkey cried is a judged of guilty of crimes, because deep in side
and conscience he is guilty.

16. Ordeal of the Bier - It was an ancient belief that the slain dead could point out their
killer. In England, it was customary for the accused to approach the bier where the
corpse lay. In the view of the witness, the wounds of the victim were observed to see if
they began to bleed again. They believe that when murderer is near, he will cause the
blood to flow out from the wound of the victim.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON COUNTRIES THAT PRACTICED ORDEAL?

1. Burma - The accuser and accused were given each identical candle and both were
lightened at the same time.

2. Borneo - The accuser and accused were presented by shell fish placed on a plate. An
irritating fluid was then poured on the shell fish and the litigant whose shell fish moved
first was adjudged the winner.

3. Greece - A suspended axe was spun at the center of a group of suspects. When the axe
stopped, whoever was in line with the blade as supposed to be guilty as pointed out by
the divine providence.

4. Nigeria - The priest greased a clock’s feather and pierced the tongue of the accused. If
the feather passed through the tongue easily, the accused was deemed innocent. If not,
the accused is guilty. Another Method (same country) Pour corrosive liquid into the eyes
of the accused who was supposed to remain unharmed if innocent. Pour boiling oil over
the hand of the accused with he usual requisites for guilt or innocence (if remain
unharmed, he is innocent).

5. Europe and Early United States (17th Century) - Trial by water was commonly used on
those accused of witchcraft. The accused was bound (hand and foot) and then cast into
the body of water. If the accused sank, he was hauled to the surface half-drowned and
deemed innocent. If the floated, he was deemed guilty and burned to death.
OBSERVATION METHOD
A good criminal investigator must be been observer and a good psychologist. A subject under
stress on account of the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system may exhibit changes
which may be used as a potential clue of deception and since just one or a combination of the
following signs and symptoms is not conclusive or a reliable proof of guilt of the subject, their
presence infers further investigation to ascertain the truth of the impression in the same
manner.

Verbal Clues. This clues to deception includes the words that are spoken, speed of delivery of
the words, choice of words, tone of voice and the tense of the language. The following are
included as verbal clues:

1. Methods of responding to the question – The way the respondent answers questions is clue
to deception. In general, truthful people tend to be direct; untruthful people tend to be
cautious about their answers.

2. Length of time before giving response – In general, truthful persons answers questions
immediately after the question is asked; untruthful persons take their time in giving response.
An awkward silence or a delaying tactic, such as ―who me? Or ―why would I do that? May be
used by the respondent.

3. Repetition of question – The act of repeating the question is another means for the deceiver
to gain time to frame his or her answer. The question may be repeated word per word, or the
respondent may frame the answer with a request to repeat the took the bribe?

4. Fragmented or incomplete sentences – Untruthful persons often speaks in disjointed or

curtailed sentences. This is usually because he has started the answer, then thought better of it.
Statements such as ―I…I…. can‘t think…. It seems to me… can be a clue of lying. Many liars will
speak half-truth as well, and add qualifiers, such as ―…to the best of my memory… or ―…. If I
recall correctly.

5. Being overly polite – Anger is a common response to an unjust accusation, as well as

answering the statement with abrupt ―no‖.

6. Oaths – lying persons will frequently utter oaths, such as ―I swear to God I didn‘t do it‖ or I
swear on my Father‘s grave‖. Most truthful people do not need to swear or affirm: they are
ardent in their denials.

7. Use of words – As a general rule, truthful subjects have no trouble denying the allegation in
precise terms, while untruthful ones will have problems with the used of words. Untruthful
suspects also tend to deny specific instances. Example: ― I did not take P 5,000.00 in kickbacks.
That may be a truthful answer; perhaps the amount was P100,000.00.
8. Inconsistencies – Contradicting testimonies made by the witness are one of the best
indicators of dishonesty; liars get caught up in their own web of deceit. In the interview or
interrogation, if Pedro says that he meet Juan for drinks, and then later denies the same
statement, there can be two explanations; he was mistaken, or he was lying.

Non-Verbal Clues. These encompass patterns in the body movements, gestures, facial
expression, body postures, positioning and movements used to explain chosen words. It
includes the following:

1. Emblems – emblems are often performed deliberately, these are expressions made with
the body, whose meanings are clearly understood. Here are examples of emblems:
shaking or nodding of head, shrugging the shoulders, the universal ―thump up sign, etc

2. Manipulators – These are usual behavior or touching one‘s self like grooming the hair,
and picking imaginary fur from a coat. Props, like cigarettes, pencils and others can be
used in the manipulation. Social scientists have documented that body movements,
fidgeting, and other behavior arise with stress.

3. Breathing – although breathing is an involuntary movement, breathing is very much

affected by stress. This stress may have nothing to do with lie. But an increase in
breathing rate or volume may be a sign of deception.

4. Sweating – this is another uncontrollable body function. Perspiration occurs with heat
as well as with emotion. The rate of perspiration is not the same for all emotions, such
as fear and anger. Too much sweating could very well indicate an involuntary reflex with
deception.

5. Frequent swallowing – A dry mouth frequently accompanies deep emotion. Often

subject is not aware of increased efforts at swallowing. During the time of critical
question, increased swallowing might indicate deception.

6. Facial Muscles – other muscles are not easy to control but people can control certain
facial muscles with spirit. Example, to force a smile is easy, but even beginners will
notice something is wrong about it.

7. Eyes – the eyes most likely express as much emotion as any other part of the anatomy.
Blinking, pupil dilation, and tears are some of the signs indicative of emotion in the eye.

8. Face – people believe that lies will commonly show up in the face and eyes. The face can
have two messages: what the liar is trying to show as well as what he or she trying to
hide. Reddening or blushing of the face is supposed to be a sign of embarrassment and
cannot be controlled. Such indicators may indicate strong emotion but is not reliable
sign of deception.
HYPNOTISM
Introduced by FRANZ ANTON MEZMER as a method of detecting deception in 1778. It is the
alternation 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.
• The hypnotic state is characterized by:
• That it is a comfortable state or complete relaxation in which the subject will readily and
willingly to cooperate in every way with the hypnotizer.
• That it is not actually a sleep.
• That the subject will do whatever he is told to do.
• That the hypnotizer will not order him to do anything injurious.
• After the test, the subject will wake up with feeling of comfort and refreshment.

Reasons Why Deception Detection Obtained

Through Hypnosis Is Not Admissible in Court:
1. It lacks the general scientific acceptance of the reliability of hypnosis per se in ascertaining
the truth from falsity;
2. 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.
3. The possibility that the hypnotized subject will deliberately fabricate;
4. The prospect that the state of heightened suggestibility in which the hypnotized subject is
suspended will produce distortion of the fact rather than the truth; and
5. The state of the mind, skill and professionalism of the examiner are too subjective to permit
admissibility of the expert testimony (Am. J. of Trial Advocacy, 1981, p. 603). Confession while
under hypnotic spell is not admissible as evidence because such "psychiatric treatment" is
involuntary and mentally coersive (Leyra v. Demro, 347 U.S. 556, 74 S. Ct. 716, 98, 948 (1954).
Although hypnosis may not yield admissible evidence it may be of some use during
investigation as a discovery procedure.

BRAIN WAVE FINGERPRINTING

The basic principle is that different regions of the brain light up when a person tell the truth or
lie, and further, that different regions are activated depending upon the type of lie. However,
researches conducted looks at a specific type of electrical brain wave, called P300, which
activates when a person sees a familiar object.
Who is the Inventor of brain wave fingerprinting? —LAWRENCE FARWELL

ADMINISTRATION OF TRUTH SERUM

The term "truth serum" is a misnomer. The procedure does not make someone tell the truth
and the thing administered is not a serum but is 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 feels a compulsion to
answer the questions truthfully. The drug acts as depressant on the nervous system.
Statements taken from the subject while under the influence of truth serum are evolutionarily
obtained hence they are not admissible as evidence.
NARCOANALYSIS OR 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 to the subject. When the effects appear, questioning starts. Like the
administration of truth serum, the result of the test is not admissible in court.

INTOXICATION WITH ALCOHOL

• 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"). (Pathology of Homicide by Lester Adelson, Charles Thomas, 1974, p. 895).
• The questioning must start during the excitatory state when the subject has the sensation of
his well-being and when his action, speech and emotions are less strained due to the lowering
of the inhibition normally exercised by the higher brain centers.
• Confessions made by the subject 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

WORD ASSOCIATION TESTS

• Here is another method of deception detection which was introduced in 1879 by SIR FRANCIS
GALTON.

• A list of stimulus and non-stimulus words are read to the subject who is instructed to answer
as quickly as possible. The answers 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, etc. which has no relation to the subject-matter of the investigation, the tendency is
to answer quickly. But when questions bear some words which have to do with the criminal act
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 "no". The important factor) is the
time of response in relation to stimulus or non-stimulus words.

PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS EVALUATOR

This is sometimes called voice stress analysis, is based on the use of a certain machine
developed in the late 1960s that presumably detects ―guilt-revealing laryngeal micro tremors
(inaudible frequency modulations) which exist in the voice and are associated with stress and
lying. When a person is relaxed and responding honestly to the questions, those inaudible
frequencies are registered clearly on the instrument. But when a person is under stress, as
when he is lying, these frequencies tend to disappear.
Who is the Inventor of psychological stress evacuation? – ALLAN BELL JR. AND CHARLES
MCQUINSTON
POLYGRAPHY- It is the scientific method of detecting deception with
the use of a polygraph instrument. This is the new name of LIE
DETECTION.
POLYGRAPH- It is a scientific diagnostic instrument used to record
physiological changes in the blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration and
skin resistance of an examinee under controlled condition.
• What is the other name of the Polygraph?

It is also called “Truth Verifier” since statistics show that is the vast
majority of the instances the instrument verifies an innocent person’s
truthfulness.

ORIGIN OF THE WORD POLYGRAPHY

From the word POLY means MANY OR MORE and GRAPHOS means
WRITINGS OR GRAPHS.
•
• TERMINOLOGIES
• DECEPTION – It is an act of deceiving or misleading usually accomplished by
lying.
• LYING – It is the uttering or conveying of falsehood or creating false
impression with the intention of affecting the acts or opinions of others.
• DETECTION – The act of discovering the existence or presence of fact of
something hidden or obscure.
• EMOTION – is a complex state of feeling involving conscious experience,
internal and external physical responses, and power to motivate the
organism to action.
• FEAR – The emotional responses to specific dangers that appears to be
potentially beyond a person‘s defensive power. The lying person fears
detection of the lie causing psychological these changes that can be
recorded with the use of Polygraph machine.
• SUBJECT – Refers to any person undergoing polygraph examination.
• POLYGRAPH EXAMINER/ POLYGRAPHIST or EXPERT/EXAMINER – is the one
conducting the test or examination.
• POLYGRAPH TEST OR POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION – is the whole process of
the questioning or the taking of one chart from series of questions or all of
the charts and questions sheets used in the test.
• POLYGRAPH CHART/ POLYGRAMS OR CHART/GRAPH – refers to the
recorded tracings of all the emotional patterns permanently on the charts
or graphs from series or questions.

• TYPES OF LIE
• White Lie or Benign Lie – a lie that would cause only relatively minor
discord if it were uncovered and typically offers some benefit to the hearer.
It is often used to maintain harmony of friendship in the home or in the
office.
• Red Lie – a lie used to destroy the ideologies by means of propaganda
which is common in communist countries.
• Malicious or Judicial Lie – a lie usually used to mislead or a dishonesty
intended to obstruct justice.
• Pathological Lie - this is a lie made by persons who cannot distinguish right
from wrong.
• Black Lie - a lie accompanies pretensions and hypocrisies, intriguing to
cause dishonor or discredit ones good image.
• Lie of Compliment or False Reassurance – a lie intended to please others.
For example, “that looks good to you” or “everything is going to be alright.”

TYPES OF LIARS
• Panic Liars - one who lies in order to avoid the consequences of a
confession, He/She is afraid of embarrassment to love ones and it is a
serious blow to his / her ego, He/She believes that confession will just make
the matter worst.
• Occupational Liars - Is someone laid for spare years, this person is a
practical liar and lies when it has a higher “pay off” than telling the truth.
• Tournament Liars - Loves to lie and is excited by the challenge of not being
detected, this person views an interview as another contest and wants to
win, this person realizes that he or she will probably be convicted bur will
not give anyone the satisfaction of hearing him or her confesses, he wants
that people will believe that the law is punishing an innocent person.
• Psychopathic Liars - the most difficult type, this person has no conscience.
He shows no regret for dishonestly and no manifestation of guilt,
• Ethnological Liars - is one who is taught not to be a squealer, *squealer – to
cry or to shrill voice, used by underworld gang in order for their member
not to reveal any secret of their organization.
• Pathological Liars - A person who cannot distinguish right from wrong (his
mind is sick.), Is an insane person.
• Black Liars - A person who always pretends, (What he thinks of himself,
what kind of person he is, and what he is.)
•
• TRIPOD FOUNDATION OF POLYGRAPHY
• 1. PSYCHOLOGICAL LEG PREMISE - states that specific nervous system
component whose stimulation can thus be diagnosed are so stimulated by
the involuntary and emotional processes of the individual who is
continuously attempting concealment of deception especially if that
individual has something at stake and the prevailing circumstances lead him
to believe that exposure to deception is quite possible although
undesirable.
• 2. PHYSIOLOGICAL LEG PREMISE - that among the physiological responses
that may be recorded are those that automatically occur only following the
stimulation of specific nervous component system
• 3. MECHANICAL LEG PREMISE - polygraph is capable of making graphic
record containing reliable information regarding physiological responses of
the subject.
•
• WHAT ARE THE CONCEPTS OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION?
• Used to test an individual for the purpose of detecting deception or verify
the truth of statement
• Records identifiable physiological reactions of the subject, such as; blood
pressure, pulse rate, respiration and skin resistance.
• The effectiveness of the polygraph in recording symptoms of deceptions is
based on the theory that a conscious mental effort on the part of a normal
person to deceive causes involuntary physiological changes that are in effect
a body’s reaction to an imminent danger to its well being.

PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY OF LYING
• PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY – Effect of the human mind to the body due to the
application of stimulus.
 • STIMULUS – refers to the motion or force reaching organism and excites the
receptors. It is a force that produces the organism or any of its parts to
activity.
• REACTION – It refers to any activity aroused in an organism by a stimulus. It
is an action or mental attitude induced by an external influence.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF POLYGRAPH

• The Polygraph machine is basically composed of three
major components serving as the detecting mechanism
and five major sections by adding kymograph component
and pen and inking system to serve as the recording
mechanism.

PNEUMOGRAPH
• Designed to detect and record changes in respiration of the
subject which consists of the following:
a. Rubber Convoluted Tube- about 10 inches corrugated rubber
attached to the body of the subject.
b. Beaded Chain- used to lock the rubber convoluted tube.
c. Recording Pen Unit- consisting of two 5 inches recording pen
d. Centering Knob- used to center the pen
e. Sensitivity Knob- used to adjust the desired size of tracings
f. Vent- used to release excess pressure from the system
g. 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
Pneumo 1 – pneumatic connection for upper (thoracic) pneumograph.
Pneumo 2 – pneumatic connection for lower (abdominal)
pneumograph.
 •
• CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH
• Designed to detect changes in the cardiovascular activity/ changes
in blood pressure and pulse beat of the subject. It consists of:
a. Blood Pressure Cuff = attached to the upper right arm of the subject,
above the brachial artery.
b. Sphygmomanometer = 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
• 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 = 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

• GALVANOGRAPH
• Designed to detect changes in skin resistance of the subject.
Consists of:
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

• KYMOGRAPH
• Serves as the paper feed mechanism of the polygraph machine.
• It is a motor that pulls or drives the chart paper under the
recording pen simultaneously at the rate of five seconds per
vertical chart division or twelve divisions in one minute run.
a. Cutter Bar = used to cut the paper at the end of the test.
b. Rubber Roller = the one responsible for pulling the paper out of the
machine.
c. Pen Table = flat portion where the pen writes on the chart.
d. 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.
e. Synchronous Motor = runs the chart paper at the uniform rate speed
regardless of the voltage change
Polygraph Chart = approximately 100 ft. rolled graph paper with
approximately ¼ inch horizontal division and ½ inch vertical division
equivalent to 5 second’s runs
• 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