FOR5 – LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES

Lie Detection ➢ Our perception of things affects our recollection of

events. There are internal and external factors that
Course Brief and Rationale
influence our perception, reason why it differs from one
➢ Knowledge and lie detection is useful to anyone. It is
person with the other.
used in everyday situations, particularly to law
enforcers, managers and employers. Where telling the Internal Factors
truth from lie can help prevent you from being a victim
✓ Age
of fraud/scams and other magic tricks.
✓ Weight
➢ At present there is an available, scientific aid, which has
✓ Height
reasonable accuracy in the verification as to whether a
✓ Cultural Background
suspect is being deceptive or truthful.
✓ Acuity of the senses
➢ This scientific instrument/aid is called Polygraph.
✓ Preoccupations
Polygraph – scientific instrument used to detect lies, an
External Factors
invaluable help in criminal investigation.
✓ Location where we are standing
NOTE: The polygraph examination result is not acceptable
✓ Things we were doing at the time of the incident
in court. However, it can help provide lead and evidence of
✓ Natural and other conditions at the time of
the guilt of the person being accused of a certain crime.
perception
Preliminary Note: Truth vs. Lie
Chapter 1: Need to Know Concepts
In the statement of a spectator, the truth does not
Polygraphy – it is the scientific method of detecting
necessarily represent complete distortions of reality. Hence,
deception using a polygraph instrument. This is the new
it is necessary to define or identify what the truth and what
name of Lie Detection.
for that matter a lie.
- Also known as truth verifier
➢ There are perceptions which does not always mean it is
- An instrument for the recording of changes in blood
a lie because see their own perspective.
pressure; pulse rate, respiration and skin resistance
Definitions quoted by Gordon and Fleisher as indication of emotional disturbance especially of
lying when questioned.
Truth Lie - The term “polygraph” simply means “many
It is a recollection of a The deliberate communication
writings”. The name refers to the manner in which
perception without any or presentation of information
selected physiological responses are simultaneously
intention to distort. to another, either verbally,
recorded.
written or by gesture with
the deliberate intention to - Polygraph is a recorder of a psycho physiological
deceive and mislead someone changes occurring within the examinee’s body as the
who is requesting the truth. polygraph examiner asks series of questions.
Truth – no intention to tell a lie or distort a statement.
Is polygraph a Lie Detector?
Lie – there is intention to deceive or tell a lie.
Gordon and Fleisher said “What we perceive is what we ➢ Lie detector is the popular but misleading name of the
consider to be reliable.” Polygraph.
Thus, if both persons reported they believed to ➢ Lie detector is the person conducting the examination
materialized, though their perceptions were somewhat using the polygraph machine.
different, they were both telling the “truth”. What are the concepts of Polygraph Examination?
➢ We could only find inaccuracies in both representations if
we know the ground truth, which is what in fact did ➢ Polygraph examination is used to test an individual for
take place. the purpose for detecting deception or verifying the
truthfulness of his statements.
➢ Conversely, without that, the statement of both
➢ It is based on the theory that “a conscious mental
persons would be considered true.
effort on the part of a normal person to deceive, causes
➢ Ground truth (whole story/detail of scenario) can help
involuntary physiological changes that is in effect of a
identify the inaccuracies in a certain situation.
body’s reaction to an imminent danger to its well-being.”
What are the objectives of a Polygraph Examination?
1. Obtain additional investigative leads to the facts of the
case/offenses.
2. Ascertain if a person is telling the truth.
3. Locate the fruits or tools of the crime and whereabouts
of wanted persons.
4. Identify other persons involved (accomplices of crime).
government or private institution undergoing
screening through loyalty test or integrity checking).
Admission – is the voluntary acknowledgement or by
implication by a party in interest or by another by whose
statement he is legally bound, against his interest, of
existence or truth of a fact in dispute material to the issue.
Confession – is the express declaration of guilt by the
accused on the accusation against him.

5. Obtain the valuable information from reluctant Emotion – any feeling, especially strong or intense feelings,
witnesses. as of love, joy, fear, etc. often accompanied by complex
physiological changes. In polygraphy, it is the feeling of fear
6. Eliminate the innocent suspects. of detection which is a factor in the result of the
examination.
What are the Principal Uses of the Polygraph Examination?
Interrogation – is the vigorous questioning of a person
1. Criminal investigation
suspected of having committed an offense or of a crime, who
2. Pre-employment screening of job applicants. is reluctant to make full disclosure of information in his
possession which is pertinent to the investigation.
3. Honesty test (Periodic Test)
Why We Lie: The Science Behind Our Deceptive Ways
What is the Significance of Lie Detection in Criminal
Investigation? ➢ Honesty may be the best policy, but scheming and
dishonesty are part of what makes us human.
Definition of Terms
What is Lie?
1. Fear – is emotional response to specific danger that
appears to beyond a persons’ defensive power. ➢ It refers to either untruthful or falsehood statements;
any acts that deceivers or creates false impression. It
2. Stimulus – is a force or motion reaching the organism and
is also synonymous to deceit, deception, or fabrication.
excites the receptors.
What is meant by “Detection?”
➢ Reaction – it is an action in mental attitude evokes by
external influence. ➢ This simply refers to the act of detecting, discovering,
➢ Deception – it is an act of deceiving or misleading perceiving, finding, or uncovering something hidden or
usually accompanied by lying. obscure.
➢ Detection – it is an act of discovery of existence,
Why do people lie?
presence of fact or something hidden or obscure.
➢ Lying – the uttering or conveying of falsehood or
creating a false or misleading information with the
intention of affecting wrongfully the acts and opinion
of other.
➢ Response – is any activity or inhibition of the previous
activity of an organism resulting from stimulation.
➢ Specific Response – is any deviation from the normal
tracing of the subject.
➢ Normal Tracing – is a tracing on the chart wherein
the subject answered in the irrelevant question.
➢ Polygraph Examiner – is one who conducts and
administer the test.
➢ Subject – refers to any person undergoing polygraph
examination. He/She may be the suspect, complainant,
victim, witness, relative of the victim/suspect or job
aspiring applicant (in cases of employment on
What are the Common Kinds of Lies?
➢ Lying can be devastating, it does not only hurt the one
who is being lied to, but it also hurts the one who tells
it. Lying is a common denominator in many of our lives
and recognizing some of the different types might help
us in dealing with the liar in our lives.
Common Kinds of Lies
a. White Lies or Benign Lie - There are lies committed to
preserve, protect or maintain the harmony of friendship or
relationship.
b. Pathological Lie - This is a lie made by persons who cannot
distinguish right from wrong.
c. Red Lie - This is prevalent in communist countries or
communist infested nations. This involves political interests
and motives because this is a part of communist
propaganda.
d. Black Lie - A lie which accompanies pretensions and
hypocrisies, intriguing to cause dishonor or discredit one’s
good image.
e. Malicious or Judicial Lie - This is very pure and
unjustifiable kind of lie that is intended purely to mislead or
obstruct justice by a guilty accused person.
Different Types of Liars
a. Sociopathic Liars - Are those who lie continuously to get
their own way, without care or concern for other. They are
goal oriented.
b. Compulsive Liars - Someone who continually lies as their
habit. It tends to be their normal manner of responding to
questions of others regardless of how small or large the
question is. They are feeling discomfort of being truthful
because lying makes them feel right.
c. Occasional Liars - Are those who seldom tell a lie. They are
quick to ask forgiveness from the individual that they lied
to and are often respected for their attempts at being
truthful and humility to admit when they commit lies.
d. Panic Liars - Those who lie in order to avoid the
consequences of a confession.
e. Occupation Liars - They are considered to be practical liars
for they lie when it has a higher “pay off” than telling the
truth.
f. Tournament Liars - Are those who love to lie and are
excited to lie and excited by challenge of not being detected.
g. Pyschopatic Liars - The most difficult type, these persons
have no conscience and shows no regret for dishonesty and
manifestation of guilt.
h. Ethnological Liars - Are those who are taught not be
squealer.
i. Pathological Liars - Are persons who cannot distinguish
right and wrong due to their sick mind.
j. Black Liars – Are persons who always pretend what he is
and what he thinks of himself.
k. White Liars – These are those don’t usually think of
themselves are true “Liars”. They justifies their lies as
harmless and beneficial. They sometimes tell only part of the
truth, and not suspected of lying at all.
The Autonomic Nervous System and Polygraphy
➢ The peripheral nervous system is divided into the
somatic nervous system which controls organs under
voluntary control (mainly muscles) and the autonomic
nervous system, which regulates individual organ
function and homeostasis, and for the most part is not
subject to voluntary control.
Autonomic Nervous System
➢ The Autonomic Nervous System is most important in
two situations, those emergency situations that cause
stress and require us to “fight” or take “fight” (run
away) and those non-emergency situations that allow us
to “rest” and “digest”. The autonomic nervous system
consists of sensory neurons and motor neurons that run
between the central nervous system (especially the
hypothalamus and medulla oblongata) and various
internal organs such as the brain, lungs, viscera, glands
(both exocrine and endocrine).
➢ The autonomic nervous system is responsible for
monitoring conditions in the internal environment and
bringing about appropriate changes in them. There are
two major components of the autonomic nervous system,
the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
 Parasympathetic Nervous System

➢ Sometimes called the rest and digest system, the

parasympathetic system conserves energy as it slows
the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity,
and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal
tract.
➢ Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System to
decrease anxiety. When the parasympathetic nervous
system is activated, it produces a calm and relaxed
feeling in the mind and body. People can learn to trigger
their parasympathetic nervous system to immediately
reduce their sense of anxiety and stress.

Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic

➢ Both part of the autonomic nervous system, the

➢ The Autonomic NS is used for lie detection tests known sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
as polygraphs. A full scale, conventional lie detection work involuntarily. Sympathetic is responsible for the
exam hooks you up to a physiological recorder to monitor response commonly referred to as “fight or flight,” while
functions controlled by the autonomic NS, but most parasympathetic is referred to as “rest and digest.”
especially actions set off by mass discharge of the Both originate in the spinal cord and branch out from
sympathetic NS when the subject has an emotional there.
response associated with the telling of a falsehood. The ➢ The sympathetic nervous system is the part of ANS
sympathetic NS tends to fire off all at once (flight or system that prepares the body to react to stresses
fight response) in such situation and all sorts of such as threat or injury. It causes muscles to contract
physiological functions are altered. For example, heart and heart rate to increase.
rate goes up, patter of respiration changes, blood ➢ The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of
pressure goes up, and production of sweat by glands in ANS that controls functions of the body at rest. It
the skin of the hand goes up. helps maintain homeostasis in the body. It causes
➢ When the sympathetic NS discharges after any muscles to relax and heart rate to decrease.
question, but particularly in response to a critical ➢ The two generally do not function well at the same time.
question, sweat production goes up, the electrical That is, when faced with imminent danger, the body will
resistance of the skin goes down, more current flows, divert blood flow from para sympathetic nerve functions
and a peak is registered on the recorder. (such as digestion) to sympathetic nerve functions
(such as muscle contraction and heavy breathing to run
Sympathetic Nervous System away).
➢ The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is part of the
autonomic nervous system (ANS), which also includes
the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
➢ The sympathetic nervous system activates what is
often termed the fight or flight response.
➢ Like other parts of the nervous system, the
sympathetic nervous system operated through a series
of interconnected neurons.
➢ These include pupil dilation, increased sweating,
increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure.
➢ The autonomic nervous system functions to regulate
the body’s unconscious actions. The sympathetic nervous
system’s primary process is to stimulate the body’s
fight-flight-or-freeze response.
Chapter 2
Methods of Detecting Deception
The search for reliable means to identify the untrustworthy
is as ancient as man. Some techniques were founded in
superstitions and/or religious belief.
The term “Trial by Ordeal” refers to the ancient method of
trial in which the accused was exposed to physical danger
which was supposed to be harmless if he was innocent.
Trial by Ordeal: A Life or Death Method of Judgement
➢ Judgement by God
➢ The intention of the trial by ordeal is to leave the
judgement of an accused in the hands of a higher force.
In European societies during the Middle Ages, a concept
known as the judicium Dei (meaning “the judgement of
God”) was the basis for the trial by ordeal. It was
believed by societies during that time that God would
intervene and protect and innocent person during a trial
by ordeal, whilst punishing a guilty individual.
Examples:
Red Hot Iron Ordeal
Boiling Water Ordeal
Ordeal by Rice Chewing Sathee
Trial by Combat
Trial by Eucharist
Ordeal of Boiling Oil or Water
Trial by Torture
Ordeal by Heat and Fire
The Hereditary Sieve Method
Test of the Cross
Ordeal of the Bier – an ordeal that was used in medieval
times to test the guilt of a person accused of murder and
that was based on the belief that the murder victim’s
corpse would begin to bleed it if was touched or approached
by the murderer.
What were known Countries that practiced Ordeal
✓ Burma
✓ Borneo
✓ Greece
✓ Nigeria
✓ Europe and Early United States
What were the Forerunners of Scientific Methods of
Detecting Deception
Hypnotism – this method was introduced by an Austrian
Physician Franz (Friedrich) Anton Mesmer in 1778.
NOTE: Result of hypnotism is not admissible as evidence in
court due to the involuntary act/utterance of words when
under hypnotism.
Word Association Test – this method was introduced in 1879
by Sir Francis Galton. Later developed by Dr. Carl Gustav
Jung.
- This is done by Psychologists.
The Truth Serum Method – this method was introduced in
Dr. Edward Mandel House.
- Byosine Hydrobromide
Narco- Analysis or Narco Synthesis – same with Truth
Serum Method
- Sodium Amytal or Sodium Pentothal
Intoxication – this was practiced drinking alcoholic
beverages.
What were the Methods of Detecting Deception through
Regular Police Works
➢ The police sought to answer the legal investigative
process that so called “Five Wives and One Husband”
Three Eyes (3 I’s)
✓ Information Gathering
✓ Investigation
✓ Instrumentation
➢ 3 I’s help identify and answer questions in the
investigation process of certain crime.
Psychological Stress Evaluator
➢ Instruments detects lying by measuring the level of
stress experienced by the subject through his recorded
voice.
➢ Fluctuation rate: 8 to 14 cycles.
Timeline of Modern Polygraph
1. Jacques D’ Arsonval (1851)
➢ A French scientist who declared that electricity is
generated by the body. This was known as External
Friction. He asserted that those sweat glands in the
body at times store the electricity and at other time
discharged the. His works helped in the development of
the galvanometer.
2. Charles Samson Fere (1888)
➢ A French scientist who discovered that electro-dermal
response is caused by an increase in the action of the
heart and vital energy converted with human emotions.
He asserted that human body has the ability to
generate, store, discharged high voltage of static
electricity.
3. Angelo Mosso 1895)
➢ He studied fear and its influence on the heart. His
observations subsequently formed the basis for the
technique employed in his developed Sphygmomanometer
(for measuring blood pressure).
4. Cesare Lombroso (1895)
➢ Employed the first scientific instrument to detect
deception. This instrument known as
Hydrosphygmograph measured changes in pulse and
blood pressure when suspects were questioned about
their involvement in or knowledge of a specific response.
➢ The procedure on the use of the “Hydrosphygmograph”
in detecting deception begins with the subject’s hand
which was laced in water-filled sealed tank with
membranes of rubber then he will be shown pictures
connected with the crime or will be asked of the relevant
facts of the crime. The pulsation of blood was then
recorded.
5. George Sticker (1897)
➢ First person to suggest the use of the galvanograph
for detecting deception. He theorized that the galvanic
skin phenomenon was influenced by exciting mental
impressions.
6. Sir James Mackenzle (1906)
➢ A famous English Heart Specialist who wrote an article
entitled, “The Ink Polygraph”. His invention however
was not for lie detection purposes, rather for the use in
Medical Examination. Nevertheless, it did contain the
essential of the present-day instrument.
7. Otto veraguth (1907)
➢ Was the first to use the term “Psychogalvanic Reflex”
an idea that the electric phenomenon was due to the
activity of the sweat gland.
8. Hugo Masterburg (1908)
➢ Proposed advocated that lie test based on lie detector
should admissible in court as evidence.
9. Vittorio Benussi (1914)
➢ Successfully detected deception with a pneumography,
an instrument that graphically measures an examinee’s
inhalation and exhalation and demonstrated that
changes in breathing patterns accompany deception.
10. William Marston (1915)
➢ Dealt with the sphygmomanometer which was used to
obtain periodic discontinuous blood pressure readings
during the course of an examination. He was also noted
in the development of the pneumography, which records
breathing patterns, and the galvanometer, which
registers change in skin resistance.
11. Harold Burtt (1918)
➢ Determined that cardiograph respiratory changes were
indicative of deception. He found that changes in systolic
blood pressure were of greater value in determining
deception than changes in respiration.
12. John Larson (1921)
➢ Developed the “Larson Complete Instrument
Polygraph”, an instrument capable of continuously
recording blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. It was
made on a polygraphic apparatus in a portable form and
became the first assemblage of apparatus used by his
co-workers in the Berkeley Police Department.
➢ Under the Larson Polygraph, a strip of paper on which
the tracings are recorded is mounted on two drums,
which are turned by a spring mechanism known as
kymograph. The paper is smoked to reduce the friction
of levers which were actuated by many Tambours.
➢ A manometer is placed on the right shoulder of the
subject, the function of which was to indicate the
pressure in the bag, the pressure bag, encased in a
leather cuff, Pneumograph is strapped around the
chest to record respiration. This type of Pneumograph
or respiration applicator is still being used in some of the
modern instruments.
13. Leonarde Keeler (1925) 17. Cleve Backster (1947)

➢ Developed a complete instrument, compact portal ➢ Developed the Control Question Technique which
instrument using a modification of the Erlanger introduces a lie in the polygraph chart to establish a
pressure reducer that permits the blood pressure yard stick so that one would know what the reaction
changes to be recorded over a greater range. He later really means.
made further improvement by substituting metal ➢ According to the Backster’s technique, if this person
bellows or diaphragm capsules in place of the Erlanger responds to this control lie to a greater extent than
type pressure reducer. does to the actual questions under investigation, it
➢ The instrument is housed in a steel case with wrinkle assumes and establish the subject is telling the truth
finish and chromium trim. The cover is attached to the at that point. If the reverse is true, it states that he
case by means of slip hinges and can be removed when is not telling the truth at that point.
the instrument is to be used.
18. Paul Wilheim & Donal Burns (1951)
➢ All connections to the instrument are made directly
under the right end of the panel, which include the hose ➢ Were known as Lie Detector Specialists in Michigan City,
connection for the cuff inflation bulb, the tube from the Indiana, USA, who invented the Electronic Psychometric
blood pressure cuff, a connector for the hand electrodes using Electrodermal Response as abasis for lie detection.
of the electro dermal recording unit, an extension cord, ➢ Both have proven that a result of lie detection test
and a tube from the Pneumograph is provided. using their instruments was 95% accurate.
➢ Space is provided for directly below the attachments’
storage of the accessories, and they may be stored
without disconnecting accessories from the instrument.
➢ In 1949, he invented the Keeler Polygraph with
components that simultaneously record changes in blood
pressure, pulse and respiration, as well as the newly
developed galvanic skin reflex.
➢ He also devised the chart paper, a better method of
questioning, and incorporated the kymograph. He also
devised a metal bellows.

14. Capt. Clarence D. Lee (1930)

➢ Designed the complete instrument, Lee Psychograph

which consists essentially of four units- Chart drive or
recording unit, Pneumograph or respiration unit,
Cardiograph or pulse-blood pressure unit, and the
Stimulus signal unit.

15. Chester W. Darrow (1932)

➢ Made a third complete instrument modification to the

Larson Cardio-Pneumo Psychograph, by adding a
galvanometer. The new instrument included a psycho-
galvanometric record, electrodes on the pam and back of
the hand, as well as a continuous blood pressure record,
and a pneumographic record.

16. John E. Reid (1945)

➢ Devised an instrument for recording muscular activity.

He invented his own Reid Polygraph which was capable
of recording simultaneously the blood pressure and pulse
rate, respiration tracings and rendered much more
accurate readings.