FS 5 – LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
CHAPTER 4
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
Tripod Foundation of Polygraph:
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.Mechanica Leg Premise - polygraph is capable of making graphic records containing reliable
information regarding physiological responses of the subject.
PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY OF LYING:
Psychophysiology – Effect of the human mind to the body due to application of stimulus.
Stimulus – refers to the motion of force reaching organism and excites the receptors. It is a force
that produces the organism or any of its parts to activity.
Reaction – refers to any activity aroused in an organism by a stimulus due to an external
influence.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
The Central Nervous System(CNS)-is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. All
other nerve ways are within the peripheral nervous system which separates into two:
1.The Somatic Nervous System; and the
2.Autonomic Nervous System:
1. Somatic Nervous System –is involved with voluntary comparative over skeletal muscles;
2. Autonomic Nervous System- involves those involuntary physiological functions of the body
and has considerable psychological impact as well.
FS 5 – LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Two Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System:
1. Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
- the housekeeping-or braking system. It is responsible for conserving energy and making
sure necessary bodily functions; restrains sympathetic arousal and attempts to maintain
homeostatic (homeostasis) normal.
2. Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
- is our emergency, or action system;
- a system which causes sudden and dramatic change.
Epinephrine
- called Adrenaline in British English, 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.
Norepinephrine
- called Noradrenaline in British English, is a hormone secreted by the adrenal
gland, it works alongside epinephrine/ adrenaline to give the body sudden energy in times
of stress, known as the "fight or flight" response.
Homeostasis - is a complex interactive regulatory system by which the body strives to maintain a
state of internal equilibrium.
Hypothalamus - is a series of groups of nerve cells of the brain that control the entire endocrine-
hormonal system. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis.
FS 5 – LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous
– motor and sensory,
System - nerves
occurs at above
threshold
Brain – receive and Spinal Cord – Somatic Autonomic
transmits stimuli sending signals Nervous System Nervous System
(Involuntary)
(Voluntary) (Main focus of
Polygraphy)
Sensory Signals – Motor Signals –
spinal cord to brain brain to spinal
cord
Sympathetic -
Parasympathetic -
Emergency/
Braking system
Action System
Epinephrine/ Adrenaline
Norepinephrine/ Noradrenaline
Hormonal Stimulator
The fight/ flight response
TYPES OF LIE
Bald – Faced lie – lie is told when it is obvious to all concerned that it is lie.
FS 5 – LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Lie of Omission - a lie used by omitting an important fact, deliberately leaving another person
with a misconception. Lying includes failures to correct pre-existing misconceptions.
Lie-to-children – is often a platitude that may use the euphemism, that is told to make an adult
subject acceptable to children.
Noble Lie - is one that would normally discord if uncovered but offers some benefit to the liar
and assists in an orderly society, therefore potentially beneficial to others.
Puffery Lie - is an exaggerated claim typically found in advertising and publicity
announcements. For example, “the highest quality at the lowest price.” Such a statement is
unlikely to be true but cannot be proven false and so do not violate trade laws.
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.”
White 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 Lie - a lie usually used to mislead or a dishonesty intended to obstruct justice.
KINDS OF LIAR
1. Panic Liar - a person who lies to avoid the consequences of certain actions;
2. Occupational Liar - is a practical liar and usually lies when there is a higher pay off than
telling the truth;
FS 5 – LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
3. Tournament Liar - a person who loves to lie and is excited by the challenge of not being
detected;
4. Ethnological Liar - person who is trained not to be squealer. This person loves to be
interrogated and has taken the creed that he will never reveal the truth, usually the creed of the
underworld gang;
5.Psychopathic Liar - a liar that shows no regret for his dishonest actions and no manifestations
of guilt. Most difficult type of liar to deal with because such is a good actor;
6. Pathological Liar - a person who cannot distinguish between right and wrong;
7. Black Liar - a person who always pretend
COMMON PHYSICAL SIGNS OF LYING
1. Blushing (to blush to become red, as in the cheeks,from shame or confusion);
2. Twitching of the lips (short, sudden quick short spasmodic contraction of the fibers or
muscles;
3. Squinting of the eyes (looking obliquely);
4. Failure to look the inquirer “straight to the eye”;
5. A peculiar monotone of the voice;
6. A forced laugh;
7. A counter inquiry saying “who me”?;
8. Unnecessary request for repetition of question;
9. Movement of the hands and feel exhibiting a state of uneasiness;
a. Flight from interrogation room;
FS 5 – LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
b. Fear of detection
10. Increased activity of the Adam's apple and many reactions of similar nature;
11. Unusual perspiration/Excessive sweating;
12.Dryness of the mouth;
13. Rapid breathing;
14. Unusual blood pressure;
15. Fidgeting (restless motion) of the hands;
16. Stammering;
17. Swearing before god that he did not commit a crime:
18. Subject refuses to answer question:
19. Subject is absent minded:
20. Pointing his guilt to someone else:
21. Subject Reference marks; I’m an honorable person, how could I do that?
22. Subjects often ask permission by going to a certain place like a comfort room. Etc.;
23.Subject: refuses to answer the questions directly by offering alibis (i.e “Wait a minute why do
you have to ask that question?” “How I answer that I was in Cavite at the time?”);
24.Not that I remember (question) expression.
Reference: Workbook in Polygraphy: The Science of Lie Detection – Shirley S. Domingo, DPA.,
Ph.D, Second Edition
