What is Polygraphy?

It is the scientific method of detecting deception using a polygraph instrument.

What is a Polygraph?

Simply means “many writings”. The name refers to the way selected physiological responses are
simultaneously recorded. It is a recorder of the psycho-physiological changes occurring within the
examinee’s body as the polygraph examiner asks a series of questions.

The polygraph instrument is a combination of medical devices used by physicians in monitoring and
checking the physical conditions of their patients.

Is Polygraph a Lie Detector?

The polygraph instrument does not detect the lie itself but the examiner. It only assists in detecting a
person's lying and/or truthfulness through its recorded physiological responses.

What is the other name of the Polygraph?

In some instances, it is also called a “Truth Verifier” for in most instances the instrument verifies a
person’s truthfulness.

What are the Concepts of Polygraph Examination?

Used to test an individual to detect deception or verify the truthfulness of his statements.

It is done by recording identifiable physiological reactions of the subject, such as blood pressure,
pulse rate, perspiration, and skin resistance.

It 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”.

What are the Objectives of a Polygraph Examination?

Polygraph Examination is conducted to:

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 the whereabouts of wanted persons.
4. Identify other persons involved (accomplices of crime).
5. Obtain valuable information from reluctant witnesses.
6. Eliminate the innocent suspects.

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What are the Principal Uses of the Polygraph Examination?

1. Criminal Investigation – it aids in investigating criminal incidents and issues, speeds up the process of
investigation, and eliminates innocent suspects.
2. Pre-Employment Screening of Job Applicants
3. Honesty Test (Periodic Test)

What is the Significance of Lie Detection in Criminal Investigation?

In Criminal Investigation, the truth must be established to ensure proper prosecution of offenders.
Criminal Investigators must exert all effort to determine lying not only on the part of the suspect but
as well as to everyone involved in the criminal act witnesses, victims, etc.

What is a Lie?

Refers to either untruthful or falsehood statements; any act that deceives or creates a false
impression. It is also synonymous with deceit, deception, or fabrication.

What is meant by Detection?

Act of detecting, discovering, perceiving, finding, or uncovering something hidden or obscure.

Why do People Lie?

What drives a person to lie is the fear of detection and possible exclusion by the offended community.
In short, he resorts to lying as a defense mechanism.

Common Kinds of Lie

1. White or Benign Lie – committed to preserving, protecting, or maintaining the harmony of friendship
or relationship.
2. Pathological Lie – made by persons who cannot distinguish right from wrong.
3. Red Lie – prevalent in communist countries or communist-infested nations. This involves political
interests and motives because this is a part of the communist propaganda strategy.
4. Black Lie – a lie that accompanies pretensions and hypocrisies, intriguing to cause dishonor or
discredit one’s good image.
5. Malicious or Judicial Lie – this is a 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

1. Sociopathic Liars – are those who lie continuously to get their way, without care or concern for
others. They are goal-oriented.
2. Compulsive Liars – someone who continually lies as their habit. They are feeling the discomfort of
being truthful because lying makes them feel right.
3. 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.
4. Panic Liars – those who lie to avoid the consequences of a confession, afraid of embarrassment.
5. Occupational Liars – “Practical Liars”, lie when it has a higher “pay-off” than telling the truth.
6. Tournament Liars – love to lie and are excited by the challenge of not being detected.
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7. Psychopathic Liars – the most difficult type, have no conscience, and show no regret.
8. Ethnological Liars – those who are thought not to be a squealer.
9. Pathological Liars – cannot distinguish right from wrong due to their sick minds.
10. Black Liars – always pretend what he is and what he thinks of himself.
11. White Liars – sometimes tell only part of the truth and are not suspected of lying at all.

What Law Enforcement Agencies around the world use Polygraph Technology?

While American Law Enforcement Agencies remain the leading and biggest users of polygraph
technology for criminal investigations, other countries also employ polygraph services such as Japan,
Canada, and Lithuania.

What is the Psychological Theory of the Lying Person?

Telling a lie is usually an emotional experience. A conscious act of lying causes the mind of a person
which produce an emotion of fear or anxiety, manifested by fluctuations in pulse rate, blood pressure,
breathing, and perspiration.

The lying person fears detection, causing physiological changes to take place in his body. During lie
detection, physiological changes will occur if the subject experiences fear of detection.

A person “tunes in” that which indicates trouble or danger by having his sense organs and attention for
a particular stimulus, and he “tunes out” that which is a lesser threat to his self-preservation or general
well-being.

In a series of questions during the Polygraph Test, the lying subjects will “tune in” on the most intense
relevant questions and “tune out” on the control question and may not be materially affected by other
weak relevant questions.

However, the truthful subject will direct his attention to the control question wherein he consciously
knows he is deceptive and “tunes out” the relevant ones.

The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) in the Polygraph Examination

The ANS is found in the center of the brain and its central controls are in the “hypothalamus”, which
is a group of nerve cells of the brain that reflexes. Those that we cannot control consciously such as our
heartbeat, pulse rate, increase and decrease in blood pressure, and the expansion and constriction of
arteries are governed by the autonomic nervous system.

The subject receives the message through the ear The Brain’s Hypothalamus analyzes and
Question and transmits it to the brain via sensory neurons. evaluates the message/question.

Polygraphist Evaluate and Interpret the recorded Polygraph through its transducer Physiological
tracings whether the subject is truthful or lying. monitors and records responses. Response Order

Prepared by:

Prof. Aleah F. Macasaet, RCrim, LPT, (Ph.D. CAR)

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Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173).

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