THE SCIENCE OF

POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUE
By: Mr. Chivas G. Dulguime, R.C.
Polygraphy :
– comes from two Greek words, “poly”
and “graphos” which means “ many
writings”.

– is the scientific detection of deception

through the use or aid of a polygraph
machine.
• Polygraph
– is an instrument or a device capable of
producing recordings of physiological
phenomena that may be used as the basis
of the application of a reliable technique
for diagnosing truth or deception.
 TYPES OF LIE:
1. White Lie
2. Red Lie
3. Black Lie
4. Malicious or Judicious Lie
5. Pathological Lie
 DIFFERENT KINDS OF LIE
DETECTION:

1. Ancient Methods:
– Red Hot Iron Ordeal
– Ordeal of the Balance
– Boiling Water Ordeal
– Water Test Ordeal
– The Smell Out Technique
– The Sacred Ass Ordeal
 Contemporary methods:
1. The Observation Methods

1. The Regular Police Method

- application of the three (3) I’s in Criminal

Investigation (Information, Interrogation and
Instrumentation) in order to obtain
confession and admission.
 Contemporary methods:
3. Hypnotism
- by Franz Anton Mesmer
- recovering the stored memory of the subject while
under hyper amnesia.
4. Word Association Test
- by Sir Francis Galton and improved by Dr.
Carl Gustav Jung.
5. Truth Serum/Intoxication
- by Sir Edward Mandell House
 The Polygraph Test Technique:

HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS:
1. Cesare Lombroso
2. Vittorio Benussi
3. Harold Burtt
4. John Larson
5. Leonard Keeler
6. John Reid
7. Sir James mackenzie
8. William Moulton Marston
9. Luigi Galvani
BASIC FACTS OF
POLYGRAPH
 TRIPOD FOUNDATION OF
POLYGRAPHY
1. Mechanical Leg Basis Premise
The polygraph machine is mechanically capable of making graphical
records containing reliable information regarding physiological changes.
2. Physiological Leg Basis Premise
Among the physiological changes that may be recorded and identified
are those that automatically occur only following the stimulation of the
specific nervous system component and from which stimulation of those
specific nervous system components can be reliably diagnosed.
3. Psychological Leg Basis Premise
Under this polygraph leg premise, the specific nervous system
component whose stimulation can thus be diagnosed are so stimulated y
the involuntary mental and emotional processes of the individual who is
consciously attempting concealment of deception especially if that
individual has something at stake and the prevailing circumstances lead
him to believe that exposure to detection is quite possible although
undesirable.
 HUMAN BODY SYSTEM

• Nervous System – activator of the body

system
• Circulatory System – blood circulation
• Respiratory System – breathing cycle
• Excretory System/Skin – external covering of
the body
 THEORY AND CONCEPT
A. Psychological Theory of a lie: Emotional changes occur in a
person causing physiological changes that can be recognized
and diagnosed.
B. Psychological Set . . . A person's fears, anxieties
and apprehensions are focused (directed) to the areas that hold
(Poses) the greatest threat to his well being or self.
C.  Psychology of Test Questions The test is structured so as to
pose a threat to the security of both the innocent and guilty
subject and force him/her to focus (direct) his/her attention to
that specific area of the test.

**Fear is the greatest psychological factor ‑ Fear of being

detected of an untruth.
 The Nervous System

• Major division - Central vs.

Peripheral
• Central or CNS- brain and
spinal cord
• Peripheral- nerves
connecting CNS to muscles
and organs

Central Nervous System

Peripheral Nervous System

Peripheral Nervous System
P eripheral Nervous S ystem

S keletal
Autonomic
( S omatic)

S ympathetic P ara sympathetic

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
- It is the main effector mechanism which the
polygraph is concerned.
- It governed the following involuntary reflexes:
• heartbeat
• blood pressure
• respiration
• perspiration
• digestion

- Can be influenced by thought and emotion

- Main control is “hypothalamus”
 Sympathetic
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM SYMPATHETIC
Brain
• “ Fight or flight” response Dilates pupil
• Release adrenaline and Stimulates salivation Salivary
glands
noradrenaline Relaxes bronchi
Spinal
• Increases heart rate and cord Lungs

blood pressure Accelerates heartbeat

Heart
• Increases blood flow to
Inhibits activity Stomach
skeletal muscles
• Inhibits digestive functions Pancrea
Stimulates glucose s Liver

Secretion of adrenaline, Adrenal

nonadrenaline gland
Kidney
Relaxes bladder

Sympathetic Stimulates ejaculation

ganglia in male
 Sympathetic Effects

• Fight or flight response.

• Release of norepinephrine from
postganglionic fibers and epinephrine from
adrenal medulla.
• Mass activation prepares for intense activity.
– Heart rate increases.
– Bronchioles dilate.
– [glucose] increases.
 Parasympathetic
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM PARASYMPATHETIC
Brain
Contracts pupil
• “ Rest and digest ” Stimulates salivation

system Spinal
cord
Constricts bronchi

• Calms body to Slows heartbeat

conserve and Stimulates activity

maintain energy
• Lowers heartbeat, Stimulates gallbladder
Gallbladder
breathing rate, Contracts bladder
Stimulates erection
blood pressure of sex organs
 Parasympathetic Effects
• Stimulation of separate parasympathetic
nerves.
• Relaxing effects:
– Decrease heart rate (HR).
– Dilate blood vessels.
– Increase GI activity.
Summary of autonomic differences
Autonomic nervous system controls physiological arousal
Sympathetic Parasympathetic
division (arousing) division (calming)
Pupils dilate EYES Pupils contract

Decreases SALVATION Increases

Perspires SKIN Dries

Increases RESPIRATION Decreases

Accelerates HEART Slows

Inhibits DIGESTION Activates

Secrete stress ADRENAL Decrease secretion

hormones GLANDS of stress hormones
 The Polygraph
Measures:

Skin
Heart beat
Conductivity

Blood
Respiration
Pressure
 PARTS OF THE POLYGRAPH
MACHINE
1. Pneumograph
- breathing patterns
- three minor components: (two
elongated tube and beaded chain)

2. Galvanograph
- psychogalvanic skin reflex
- two finger electrodes and
amplifier unit.
PARTS OF THE POLYGRAPH
MACHINE
3. Cardiograph
- pulse rate and heartbeat.
- minor components: (bulb,
sphygmograph and arm cuff)
4. Kymograph
- paper fed mechanism run by a
dynamo
- polygram – “chart paper”
FACTORS AFFECTING THE RELIABLITY
OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION:

1. Subject

1. Examiner

1. Polygraph Machine

1. Examination Room
PHASES OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION:

1. Initial Interview

1. Pre – Test

1. Actual Test

1. Post Test
 PHASES OF POLYGRAPH
EXAMINATION
1st. Initial Requisition of Polygraph
Interview Examination
Four (4) copies of Letter
Request
Brief Facts of the Case /
Investigation Report
 Sworn Statement / Affidavit of
Complainant
Sworn Statement / Affidavit of
Examinees/ Witness/es
Sketch of crime scene,
/witness/es, if available.
 PHASES OF POLYGRAPH
EXAMINATION
2nd. Pre-test Interview with the person to
be examined
During the pre-test
interview, the polygraph
examiner will explain
how the polygraph
works, discuss the
issue, review all the
questions to be asked
on the polygraph test.
 PHASES OF POLYGRAPH
EXAMINATION
Purpose of Pre-test
 To prepare the subject for polygraph
Interview
examination.
Informing the subject of his/her
involvement with the case.
 To obtain subject consent for
polygraph examination.
 Taking of subject’s or examinee’s personal data.

To determine the suitability of the subject or

examinee.
 Evaluating the psychological preparation of the
subject or examinee.
Purpose of taking the Consent
of the Examinee

 The examiner have a legal basis that no

human rights violation is committed
 That the subject voluntarily submitted
his/her self to undergo polygraph
examination
 It is an armed against harassment
3rd Phase – Actual Test or Instrumentation
- attachment of instrument and
questioning of the subject

4th Phase – Post Test or Interrogation phase

- result’s evaluation.
 GENERAL RULES IN QUESTION
FORMULATION
 Questions must be simple and direct.
 They must not involved legal terminology.
 They must be answerable by “yes” or “no” only
and should be as short as possible.
 The meaning must be clear and phrased in a
language that the subject can easily
understand.
 All questions must refer to one offense only.
 Questions must never contain inference (opinion).
 They must not contain inferences to one’s
religion, race or belief.
 Types of questions:
1. Relevant
2. Irrelevant
3. Control
4. Symptomatic
5. Knowledge
6. Guilt complex
7. Sky
8. Evidence connecting
 Indication of deception:
PNEUMO TRACING:
1. Change in rhythm or regularity
2. Change in amplitude or volume
3. Change in inspiration and expiration rate
4. Notch or serrated inspiration or expiration stroke
5. Hyperventilation
6. Suppression
7. Respiratory block
CARDIO TRACINGS:
1. Increase or decrease of BP
2. Increase in BP only
3. Decrease only in BP
4. Increase or decrease in PR
5. Increase or decrease in amplitude
6. Change in position or appearance of dicrotic notch
7. Extra systole
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS
US ALWAYS!!!