NOTES IN LIE DETECTION

LESSON II

OBSERVATION

A good criminal investigator must be keen observer and a good psychologist. A subject under stress on
account of the stimulation of 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.

Signs or Clues of Deception

1. Swearing to God.
2. Failure of subject to look straight into examiner eyes.
3. Rapid movements of adams apple among males. Hysteria among females or woman.
4. Shedding tears of both sexes.
5. Arrogance or indifference to interrogation.
6. Biting upper and lower lips after a hot stimulus is profounded.
7. Changes on the color of the face.
8. Complete and total denial of the case under investigation. Questioning accuracy on the polygraph
machine.
9. Sarcastic laugh of the subject.
10. Force laugh of the subject.
11. Restlessness of the subject.
12. Show of the unnecessary movements of legs and head.
13. Changing seats from chair to chair.
14. Frequent excuses to go to the comfort room.
15. Asking the examiner for a drink or a smoke.
16. Over perspiration despite of an air-conditioned room.
17. Answering questioning by beating around the hush when questioning and answered yes or no.
18. Asking the examiner to repeat the question although propounded clearly.
19. Asking counter remark who me.
20. Making reference to prominent people and mutual friends.
21. Shifting blame to someone else.
22. Pointing the guilt to other.
23. Refusal to submit to polygraph examination. Consenting to polygraph examination but refuse to
sign the consent (written).

Physiological and Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Guilt

1. Sweating
2. Color Change
3. Dryness of the mouth
4. Excessive activity of the Adam’s apple
5. Fidgeting
6. “Peculiar feeling inside”
7. Swearing in the truthfulness and assertion
8. “Spotless past record”
9. Inability to look at the investigator “straight in the eye”
10. “Not that I remember” expression.

Detecting Lies through Observation Methods

1. Through Facial Expression

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2. Blushing, paling or profuse sweating of forehead.

3. Dilation of the eyes, protrusion of eyeballs and elevation of upper eyelids.
4. Squinting of the eyes (showing envy, distrust, etc.).
5. Twitching of the lips.
6. Excessive winking of the eyes.
7. Failure to look the inquirer “straight into the eyes”.
8. Excessive activity of the Adam’s apple and the vein at the temple due to dryness of throat and
mouth.
9. Quivering of nose or nostrils.
10. A peculiar monotone of the voice.
11. A forced laugh.
12. Rolling of eyeballs from one direction to another
13. Through Postural Reaction
14. Fidgeting, tapping or drumming of fingers on the chairs or the other surfaces.
15. Swinging of legs or one leg over the other.
16. Unnecessary movements of hands and feet (like scratching, nail biting, thumb or finger sucking).
17. Pulsation of the artery in the neck.
18. Incoherence, trembling and sweating of the whole body.

Detection through Regular Police Methods

Police methods sought to answer the legal investigative process to the following: The “five Wives and
One Husband” (5 W’s and 1H) which stand for: WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHO, and HOW. The “Three
Eyes” (3 I’s) which stands for: Information gathering – through record Check, Surveillance and
Intelligence Check, Investigation – through Interrogation or Interview for Admission or Confession,
Instrumentation or Criminalistics (Police Sciences) with the use of the different Investigative Forensic
Sciences such as Medico Legal or Forensic Medicine, Forensic Chemistry, Police or Investigative
photography, Forensic Ballistics (Firearm Identification), Questioned Documents Examination,
Dactyloscopy, Police or Investigative
Communication, Polygraphy /Detectograph

THE INSTRUMENT

PARTS AND FUNCTION OF A POLYGRAPH MACHINE AND ITS ATTACHMENT

Polygraphs usually termed, as “lie detector” is an instrument that monitors a person’s

physiological reactions. This instrument does not detect lies. It can only detect whether deceptive
behavior is being displayed.
The instrument is carefully and accurately engineered for recording changes in the
respiration, skin moisture, blood pressure and pulse. The polygraph chart tracing will reveal
attempted deception as shown by physiological changes that are recorded reliably.

Major Parts of the Polygraph Machine

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1. PHEUMOGRAPH – The pneumograph records changes of breathing of the subject it consists of

transducers and pneumograph tubes are fastened around the subject’s abdominal and thoracic
part of the body. The penumograph tube contains certain of volume of air. As the subject inhale
and exhale, the tube an accordion like expand and contract causing changes of pressure within
the tube. The changes are drive to the recording bellows causing a forward and backward
movement of the pivot shaft to which the recording pen is connected.

2. GALVANOGRAPH – Records the skin resistance of the subject to a very small amount of
electricity. The GSR (Galvanic Skin Reflex) comprise of finger or palm electrodes that is attached
on the subject’s finger primarily the index and ring finger or the palm to check and detect skin
resistance towards a small amount of electricity, to operate the galvanometer supply a current
and the mechanical movement of a seven (7) inches recording pen will take place.
3. CARDIOSPHYMOGRAPH – The cardiosphymograph records the changes of blood pressure and
pulse rate it is consists of arm cuff. The arm cuff is place around the subject’s arm with the
covered rubber bladder part centered at the brachial artery about an inch above the elbow and
must be inflated by a pimp bulb to put air into the system, which recorded in a
sphygmomanometer in millimeters of mercury (generally 60-80 mm). After inflation, the arm cuff
becomes so susceptible to monitor changes of blood pressure as well as pulse rate and
amplitude to be send out to the recording bellow and be recorded by the cardio pen on the chart.
4. KYMOGRAPH – This is motor that pulls or drive the chart paper under the recording pen at the
same time at the rate of six (6) to twelve (12) inches per minute. A chart roll is about 100 feet
long, 6 inches width with ½ inch margin apart. Paper is imprinted with horizontal line spaced at ½
inch interval. Each ½ inch division across the paper signifies five seconds of time. Pulse rate
minute may then be calculated by multiplying the number of beats counted in one division by 12.

TEST PROCEDURE IN POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION THE OF POLYGRAPH

When a mentally normal person tells a lie, physiological changes occur within his/her body that
could be recorded by polygraph machine and evaluated by polygraph examiner.

Purpose of polygraph Examination

To determine truth or deception based on the presence of emotional disturbance of the subject as
appearing on the recorded physiological responses to question relative to the case under investigation.

Uses of Polygraph

1. It is an investigative aid for the investigator to:

a. Confirm the statements of victims.

b. Ascertain the credibility of witnesses.
c. Assess truthfulness of suspects.

2. It speeds up the process of investigation.

3. It eliminates innocent subjects.
4. The investigator can focus one subject to determine the truth or deception.

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Objectives of Polygraph Examination

1. Determine if the subject is telling the truth by verifying statements and or comparing conflicting
statements.
2. Acquire additional investigative leads to the facts of an offense.
3. Locate fruits or tools crime or whereabouts of wanted persons.
4. Identify other person’s involved.
5. Gain valuable information from unwilling subject.

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