Cagayan de Oro College

PHINMA Education Network

Carmen Cagayan de Oro City
COCPEN
CRIMINOLOGY REVIEW CENTER
NOTES ON POLYGRAPHY
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
• Admission-is a self-incriminating statement falling short of acknowledgement of guilt.
• Black lie- is a kind of lie used by a person to deceive others.
• Blood Pressure Cuff Assembly- part of the cardio component attached on the right
arm of the subject.
• Cardiosphygmograph- a device which consist of blood pressure cuff and rubber pump
and is fastened around the subject’s right arm. It records the changes in pulse rate and
blood pressure.
• Chart or Polygrams- refers to the composite record of the pneumograph,
galvanograph, and cardiosphygmograph tracing recorded from one series of questions.
• Circumstantial evidence- is a series of events upon which the guilt or innocence of a
person is inferred.
• Confession- is the voluntary statement made by a person and given to proper
authorities wherein he acknowledged himself to be guilty of an offense and discloses
circumstances of his felonious act of the share and participation which he had in it.
• Control Questions- these are answerable by NO and it is designed to produce a
response from an innocent subject.
• Deception- is an act of deceiving or misleading usually accomplished by lying.
• Detection-is an act of discovering the existence, presence or fact of something hidden
or obscure.
• Dicrotic Notch- is a short horizontal line on cardio tracing located at the middle of
diastolic stern.
• Emotion- is an acute disturbance of an individual as a whole, psychological in origin
involving behavior conscious experience and visceral functions.
• Evidence Connecting Questions- these are intended to stimulate the subject and
focus his attention on the probability of incriminating proof that would tend to establish
his guilt.
• Examiner or Polygraph expert-is one who is conducting polygraph examination.
• Finger Electrode Plate- a part of the galvanograph assembly attached on the left
fingers of the subject.

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• Fear- is an emotional response to specific danger that appears to be beyond the
person’s defensive power. Kymograph- is a motorized component of the polygraph
machine that pull or drive the chart paper under the recording pen at the rate of 6 to 12
inches per minute.
• Lying- is the conveying or uttering of the falsehood or misleading impression the
intention of affecting wrongfully the acts, opinion or affection to another.
• Lie detector Machine-is a device or instrument that helps determine whether the
person is telling a lie or the truth.
• Normal Response- a tracing on the chart wherein the subject answered the irrelevant
questions.
• Normal Tracing- a tracing of the subject which is produced when no irrelevant question
was asked.
• Galvanograph- a component part of a polygraph machine that is used to record the
subjects skin resistance to a small amount of electricity. It is made up of electrodes
attached to the finger of the left hand, or to the index and ring finger of the left hand or to
the palmar or dorsal surface of the left hand.
• General Question Test-consists of a series of irrelevant and relevant questions ask in a
planned manner.
• Heredity- is the transmission of mental and physical traits from parents to offspring.
• Irrelevant Questions-are those query that do not relate to the matter under
investigation and deals with a known fact which the subject cannot lie.
• Peak of Tension Test- this is answerable only by NO and this test is only made
possible when there is no widespread publicity about a crime where intimate details as
to the method of commission of certain facts of the case is only known by the suspect,
the victim and the investigator.
• Pneumograph-is a device which records the changes of respiration and breathing of the
subject, consisting of a ten (10) inches convoluted tubes fastened together around the
subject’s abdomen and chest.
• Polygraphy- is the scientific method of detecting deception with the use of a polygraph
machine.
• Paired Testing- also known as “Marin Protocol” is a method of utilizing polygraph
testing in situations in which two or more subjects asserts contradictory accounts of a
particular incident in such a way that at least one of the subject is certainly lying.
• PolyScore - a software program which used a sophisticated mathematical algorithm to
analyze the polygraph data and to estimate a probability or degree of deception or
truthfulness in a subject.
•
- is a computerized polygraph chart scoring algorithm that uses statistical probability
to arrive at truthfulness or deception. It has been shown that validated algorithms have
exceeded 98 percent in their accuracy to quantify, analyze and evaluate the
physiological data collected from polygraph examinations administered in real criminal
cases.

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• Dr. Dale E. Olsen and John C. Harris - statisticians at Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory, in Maryland, completed a software program called
PolyScore in 1993.
• Pons - A band of nerve fibers in the brain connecting the lobes of the cerebellum, the
medulla and the cerebrum.
• Psychological Set - The theory which holds that a person’s fears,
anxieties and apprehensions will be directed toward that situation which presents the
greatest immediate threat to his self-preservation or general well-being; generally to the
exclusion of all other less threatening circumstances within his environment.
• False positive - The response of a truthful person is determined to be deceptive.
• False negative - The response of a deceptive person is determined to be truthful.
• "If we look at laboratory-based studies, false-positive errors occur somewhat more often
than false-negative errors," Horvath said.
• Reaction- refers to any activity aroused in an organism by a stimulus. It is an action or
mental attitude induced by an external influence.
• Relevant Questions-are direct query having precise and specific relation with the
felony. It is designed to produce emotional response in the subject’s trying to craft
deceptive statements. It is answerable by NO.
• Response- refers to any inhibition or activity of previous motion of an organism or of
effector organ or part of the organism resulting from stimulation or suggestion.
• Specific Response-is any variation or deviation from the normal tracing of the subject.
• Sphygmomanometer-is the part of the cardio component which indicates the air
pressure in the system in millimeter of mercury.
• Stimulus-refers to the motion or force reaching the organism and excite the receptors. It
is a force that produces the organism or any of its part to activity.
• Strong Relevant Question-refers to a verbal motivation of primary importance
projected in a form of a question which overcomes the psychological excitement level
and causes three major component tracing change from the subject’s psychological
norm.
• Subject or the examinee is a person undergoing a polygraph examination or test.
• Weak Relevant Questions- are secondary queries which are concerned with the less
important elements of the offense and deals mostly on guilty knowledge and partial
involvement.
• Bellows ˗ an accordion-like device that contracts when the tubes expand. This bellows
is attached to a mechanical arm, which is connected to an ink-filled pen that makes
marks on the scrolling paper when the subject takes a breath.
• Transducers ˗ convert the energy of the displaced air into electronic signals.

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 • False positive - The response of a truthful person is determined to be deceptive. "If we
look at laboratory-based studies, false-positive errors occur somewhat more often than
false-negative errors,”.
• False negative - The response of a deceptive person is determined to be truthful.
Concepts of Polygraph Examination
1. Used to test an individual for the purpose of detecting deception or verify the truth of
statement
2. Records identifiable physiological reactions of the subject, such as; blood pressure,
pulse rate, respiration and skin resistance.
3. The effectiveness of the polygraph in recording symptoms of deceptions 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?
1. Obtain additional investigation 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 or whereabouts of wanted persons.
4. Identify other persons involved.
5. Obtain valuable information from reluctant witnesses
6. Eliminate the innocent suspects.
What are the Principal uses of the polygraph?

1. Aid in investigation
2. Speeds up processing of investigation
3. Eliminates innocent suspects
4. Pre-employment screening
5. Honesty test (Periodic test)
METHODS OF DETECTING DECEPTION
• Balance ordeal
• Boiling water ordeal
• Donkeys tail ordeal
• Red Hot Iron Ordeal
• Red Water Ordeal

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 • Rice Chewing Ordeal
SCIENTIFIC METHODS OF DETECTING DECEPTION
• Polygraph Examination
• Word Association Test
• Use of Hypnotism
• Use of Alcoholic Beverages
• Administration of Truth Serum or Narco-analysis Test
• Psychological Stress Evaluator
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF EMOTIONAL TENSION
• Color change
• Sweating
• Inability to look straight in the investigator’s eyes
• Change in heart rate and pulse beat
• Holding of breath
• Dryness of mouth and throat
• Peculiar and unusual expression
• Unusual behavior
KINDS OF LIE
• White lie
• Black lie
• Red lie
• Malicious lie
KINDS OF LIAR
• Pathological
• Professional
Kinds of lie
1. White or Benign Lie - lie to preserve harmony of relationship
2. Pathological Lie - can not tell right from wrong.
3. Red Lie - communist propaganda
4. Black Lie - lie to dishonor or to discredit
5. Malicious/Judicial Lie -misleading or lie to obstruct justice
6. Fabrication - misrepresentation of truth

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 7. Bold-Face Lie - obviously lying
8. Lying by Omission - omission of important facts
9. Lie to Children - to gain acceptance to children
10. Noble Lie - to maintain law and order

11. Emergency Lie - to prevent harm to third party

12. Perjury - false testimony under oath

13. Bluffing - pretense of capability/intention one does not possess

14. Jocose Lie - meant to be jest, teasing and sarcasm

15. Contextual lie - stating part of truth out of context

16. Promotion lie - incredible advertisements

Type of Liars
1. Panic Liars
2. Occupational Liars
3. Tournament Liars
4. Psychopathic Liars
5. Ethological Liars
6. Pathological Liars
7. Black Liars

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A POLYGRAPH MACHINE

Cardio-sphygmograph Component
• Blood pressure cuff which is installed on the upper right arm of the subject, slightly
above the brachial artery.
• Sphygmomanometer which is utilized to indicate the amount of air pressure inflated to
the system.
• Pump bulb assembly which inflates air into the system, also known as an air pump it
has a hose connecting the blood pressure cuff through which the blood pressure
changes and passed into the recording pen.
• Resonance control unit which is used for reducing or increasing the amount of air
pressure to reach the brass bellows (tambour) and thus reduce or increase the
amplitude of pen excursions.
• Centering control which is used to provide adjustment of the tracing so that the
composite records pattern would be on the guideline.

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 • Vent which provides the means by which air in the system can be released.
• Recording pen which is used to record blood pressure pulse rate changes on the chart
paper by means of a five (5) inch recording pen.
Pioneers that contributed to the development & use of the Cardiospyghmograph in lie
detection:
• Cesare Lombroso – An Italian scientist who in 1885 used hydrospygmograph
procedure and was credited to be the pioneer who envisioned the idea of using scientific
procedures to lie detection. He is considered as the first person to use an instrument for
the purpose of detecting deception.
• Angelo Mosso – A pioneer who developed in 1895 a type of sphygmomanometer and
utilized a scientific cradle and focus on the significance of fear as an indication of
deception.
• Dr. William Moulton Marston (1893-1947) was born in Cliftondale, Massachusetts
where he received three degrees, an A.B. in 1915, an LL.B. in 1918 and a PH.D. in
1921. He was a physician, the developer o the theory we use today for the DISC system
and other important devices, and the creator of the comic book character Wonder
Woman.
• Marston was also the creator of the systolic pressure test, which lead to the creation of
the polygraph (lie detector). Because of his discovery, Marston was convinced that
women were more honest and reliable than men and could work faster and more
accurately.
• John A. Larson – A pioneer who in 1921 developed an instrument capable of
simultaneously and continuously recording blood pressure, pulse rate and respiration.
His invention was designated as the “Bread Lie Detector”.
Galvanograph Component
Finger electrodes assembly which has a finger electrode plate and retainer bond attached to
the left index and ring finger of the subject. And a connecting plug designed to fasten the
system to the polygraph machine.
• Recording pen unit which is usually 7 inches in length.
• Amplifier unit which is made to support the galvanometer in converting electrical to
mechanical current.
Electrodermal Analysis (EDA)
Electrodermal Activity
Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
Expression for changes in the properties of the skin. The three most common types are skin
conductance (SC), skin resistance (SR), and skin potential (SP).
Personalities involved in the development & use of galvanograph:
• Sticker-(1897) worked on the galvanograph component & studied the influence and
relation of the sweat glands to skin resistance.

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 • Veraguth- (1907)formulated the term psycho-galvanic skin reflex. He claimed that
electrical phenomena are due to the activity of the sweat glands.
• Richard O. Arthur- developed and improvised polygraph machine with two galvanic
skin resistance.
Pneumograph component
• Rubber convoluted tube which is ten (10) inches in length corrugated rubber attached
to the chest and abdominal area of the subject. One end of the tube is sealed and the
other end is connected to the instrument by a rather thick walled rubber tube
considerably larger in diameter than the pneumograph tube itself, it expands and
contracts as the subject breathes.
• The beaded chain another component of the pneumograph assembly is used to fix in
place the rubber convoluted tube.
• Pneumograph recording unit is made up of brass bellows, a frame, crankshaft,
countershaft, adjustable fulcrum, bearing with adjusting screw, pen cradle and pen
centering control. Volume changes of the chest caused by breathing is transmitted to the
chest assembly to the recording unit.
Contributors to the development of pneumograph:
• Harold Burtt- a scientist who, in 1918 determined that the respiratory changes were
signs of deception and concluded that systolic pressure changes are valuable in
determining deception.
• Vittorio Benussi-(1914) noted the changes in inhalation and exhalation ratio occuring
during deception. He recorded the respiratory curves of the pneumograph.
Kymograph Component
• A motor which drive or pull the paper or chart under the recording pen at the rate of 6 to
12 inches per minute.
• The chart must travel at uniform speed to facilitate valid interpretations. Chart rolls are
approximately 100 ft. Holes spaced ½ inch apart. The paper is imprinted with horizontal
lines at ¼ inch interval twenty (20) divisions and vertical lines at 1/10 inch interval with
heavy lines at ½ inch divisions across the paper which represents 5 seconds of time.
Pulse rate per minute may be computed by multiplying the number of beats counted in
one division by 12.
The Parts of KYMOGRAPH:
• Chart is a rolled graph paper composed of 12 divisions in sixty (60) seconds run
designed to measure the rate of various body functions.
• Rubber roller which pull the paper out of the machine.
• Paper rail guide serves to secure or ensure the chart paper’s forward movement
without shaking.
Personalities involved in the development of KYMOGRAPH:
 Leonard Keeler (1926) An American criminologist who invented the kymograph
machine. In 1949, the “KEELER’s Polygraph” incorporated the galvanograph with

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 measurement, blood pressure & respiration component & keymograph component.He
also devised a metal recording bellow, rolled chart paper and the method of question
formulation used in polygraph examination.
Other contributors:
• Sir James Mackenzie- an English heart specialist who first described the polygraph
machine as the “Ink Polygraph”.
• British heart surgeon Dr. James Mackenzie (1853-1925) developed this ink-writing
polygraph in 1906. A tambour (a rubber diaphragm) is placed over a vein in the neck,
while another one is placed on the arterial pulse in the wrist. The movements of these
vessels vibrate the diaphragms.
• These transmit the waves through rubber tubing to two recording arms which record the
pulse as continuous lines on paper.
• It detected problems such as an irregular heartbeat. Polygraphs were also used as lie
detectors. Physiologists found lying could cause physical changes such as a faster
heartbeat or increased sweating. Mackenzie’s polygraph measured and recorded these
changes.
• Cleve Backster – created the numerical scoring on the polygraph chart and
standardized quantitative polygraph technique.
• E Calton – credited for devising the “word association test”
• John E. Reid - developed improvement with the conventional polygraph by
incorporating muscular resistance his device was known as the Reid Polygraph. He was
also credited for the development of the SAT and Control Question test.
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DECEPTION
• Emotion refers to an acute disturbance in origin involving behavior conscious
experience and instinctive functioning. It is generally accepted that the human mind
greatly influences all bodily functions. The principle and theory behind detecting
deception relies of the dogma that involuntary and automatic bodily changes accompany
deception. Such alterations are not derived from consciousness of guilt but viewed as a
result of fear of exposure and being detected.
• The origin of such physiological changes is the hypothalamus, the area of the brain
which acts as the control center for the integration of emotional expressions. This ends
out the automatic response to physical and psychological stimulation. When a warning of
danger is perceived, this control center dispatch message through the nervous system to
prepare the whole organism for fight or flight defense mechanism. An evident and
manifested result would be an increase in pulse rate and blood pressure.
• External responses are easy to learn. Any person may control his postural and facial
reaction. A lying subject can master the art of telling story which although is untrue, but
sticks together.
VARIOUS SYMPTOMS OF GUILT RESPONSE OBSERVABLE IN LYING SUBJECTS
Symptoms of deception under internal guilt response:

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 • Quickening of heart palpitation;
• Gripping of the intestine;
• Dryness of the mouth;
• Sinking feeling in the fit of the stomach;
• Uncontrollable impulse to swallow saliva.
Symptoms of deception under external guilt response:
• Postural reaction
– Subjects hands and feet exhibiting state of uneasiness;
– In ability of the subjects eye to look straight to the investigator or examiner;
– Peculiar monotone of voice;
– Fidgeting with the fingers, tapping or drumming on the table or chair;
– Excessive movement of the Adam’s apple in male subjects.
• Facial Expression
– Dilation of the eyes, protrusion of the eyeballs and elevation of the upper eyelid.
– Blushing, paling and profuse sweating on the forehead
– Twitching at the corner of the lips.
– Excessive winking and movement of the vein at the temple.
PHASES INVOLVED IN THE CONDUCT OF POLYGRAPH TEST
• Initial Interview
• Pre-test Interview
• Actual Test
• Post Test Interview
INITIAL INTERVIEW - How conducted?
• This is usually conducted by the investigator handling the case or a polygraph examiner
who was given brief but significant details of the case & it is designed to obtain pertinent
information necessary for the conduct of the test.
• Test questions are prepared by the polygraph examiner based from the facts and
information.
The investigator on case should brief the examiner of the facts pertaining to:
1.Background information specifically previous police records and verified facts which
the subject denies;
2.Exact amount of money or specific articles stolen;
3. Exact type, make of firearm, weapon or tool used in the commission of the crime;

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 4. Exact place, date & time when the crime occurred;
5. Un-usual aspects of the offense or any odd, strange or obscene acts committed at the
crime scene;
6. Known facts pertaining to the suspects actions and movements immediately
preceding or after the incident;
7. Facts indicating a connection between victims, suspects and witnesses;
8. Unpublicized facts of the offense known only by the victim, the offender and the
investigator;
9. Results of the laboratory tests conducted like DNA, blood type, firearm identification
and the like.
Pre-test Interview
This is administered by the polygraph examiner designed to condition or prepare the subject for
the actual polygraph test. Its duration usually lasts for 20 to 30 minutes. At this stage, the rights
of the subject are explained, his consent are obtained as well as personal data and the
determination whether the subject is mentally, physically and psychologically prepared to
undergo the test.
Prior to the polygraph examination the following considerations are taken into account:
1. The patient should avoid taking medication for at least two (2) days prior to the
examination;
2. The subject should not be hungry;
3. The subject must refrain from smoking at least two (2) hours prior to the test;
4. The subject must refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages for at least twelve (12)
hours prior to the actual test;
5. The subject should not be suffering from physical or emotional abuse;
6. The subject should calm down and relaxed;
7. If the female subject is pregnant or having menstruation, the test will not be undertaken;
8. The subject should not wear tight apparels or clothing as this may cause inference in the
test results;
9. The subject should have at least five (5) hours of sleep prior to the examination.
Before the actual polygraph examination is administered on the subject, the examiner
must undertake the following necessary preparations:
1. The appraisal of the subject’s constitutional rights;
2. Obtain the subjects consent to undergo a polygraph examination;
3. Take notes of the subjects personal data;
4. Advise subjects’ involvement about the case;
5. Evaluate subject’s psychological preparedness;

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 6. Determine subject’s suitability to undergo the test.
The Ideal Examination Room
1.The room must be spacious for two persons with a polygraph desk, subject’s chair with
arm rest and an examiner’s stool;
2.The room must be devoid of pictures, paintings, ornaments and other decors;
3.The room must be well ventilated & lighted;
4. The room must be private and 90 percent soundproof free from outside noise &
distracting influence;
5. Installed with a one way mirror and remote sound system or video device and
amplifier for monitoring and recording the test proceedings to authorized observers;
6. The polygraph machine should be tested and widely used by most Asian countries,
latest version, well maintained and in a well running condition.
POST TEST INTERVIEW AND/OR INTERROGATION
Post-test - The examiner analyzes the data of physiological responses and makes a
determination regarding whether the person has been deceptive. If there are significant
fluctuations that show up in the results, this may signal that the subject has been deceptive,
especially if the person displayed similar responses to a question that was asked repeatedly.
Post Test Interrogation:
A method of interrogation is administered by the examiner to obtain admission or confession.
Post Test Interview:
An interview is conducted when the subject indicates innocent response while interrogation is
undertaken if symptoms of deception are indicated by the results of the actual polygraph test.
The subject, when innocent is cordially released & thanks extended by the examiner for his/her
consideration & cooperation.
The interrogatory technique is applied to secure admission or confession using the ff.
procedures:
1. Inform the subject that he cannot be cleared from his chart;
2. Convince the subject that the responses were result of his emotion & not by means of
any mechanical manipulations;
3. Use sympathetic and persuasive attitude as well as perseverance in eliciting confession
or admission;
4. Point out recorded reactions with brief explanations of their importance as
objective, tangible & concrete evidence to be used against the subject;
5. Listen attentively to any implications, pursue a line of mild interrogation as to the reasons
why the criminal act was committed;
6. Rationalize the subject’s act by offering a way to excuse his conduct or minimize the
significance or swing the blame to someone or to some situation.

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 7. If confession is coming allow the subject to relate it in his own version;
8. Carefully listen to specific details & write it down at first instance;
9. Never make any promise as to immunity, reward or leniency;
10. Inform the investigator on case;
11. f no confession was given, cordially release the subject;

COUNTERMEASURE

Often, people who are being given a polygraph exam will employ certain countermeasures in an
attempt to beat the instrument. There are Web sites and books that instruct you on how to fool
the polygraph. Here are just a few examples of how people try to trick the device:
Common Countermeasures
• Sedatives
• Antiperspirant on fingertips
• Tacks placed in the shoe
• Biting tongue, lip or cheek
POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUES AND TEST QUESTIONS
• Test Question techniques
• Rules to be observed in formulating test questions;
• Types of questions
– Irrelevant
– Relevant
– Secondary or weak relevant questions
– Control questions
TYPES OF TEST QUESTIONS:
• A. Irrelevant questions are those pertaining to basic data and information regarding the
background of the subject not related to the case but are ask to establish the normal
response of the subject. Eg. Name, address, age etc.. Such questions is only
answerable by “Yes”.
• B. Relevant questions are those queries related to the issue which may be classified
as strong relevant or weak relevant which indicate deception on the part of the subject.
Weak relevant may be divided into three, namely: (a) knowledge questions which is
given for the purpose of determining
• information known to the subject; (b) Evidence connecting questions which is designed
to link the subject and the crime; (c) Sacrifice questions which is used to determine
truthfulness on the part of the subject. It is answerable by “No”.

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 • Relevant questions are further classified with respect to their stimulation effect as
strong or primary relevant or secondary or weak questions.
• Strong relevant or crucial questions is designed to test for direct involvement which is
specifically designed to produce an emotional response in guilty subjects it having an
intense specific relationship to the crime.
• Secondary questions on the other hand are formulated and given to bring about guilty
knowledge or partial involvement.
• Secondary or weak relevant questions is further classified as either:
• 1) Sacrifice relevant questions that which reveals subject’s norms & stimulus
excitement level and gives a clue which pertains to the attitude of the subject’s
acceptance; such as “Do you wish to truthfully answer all the questions?
• 2) Knowledge questions designed to test whether the subject possesses information
regarding the location of the evidence, identity of the suspect or other similar secondary
elements of the case under investigation.

 3) Evidence connecting questions is formulated to arouse the guilty subject & focus
his attention on the likelihood of incriminating proof that would tend to establish his guilt.
C) Control questions which refers to queries which may either be relevant or irrelevant
designed to establish & obtain response from an innocent subject. It is sometimes referred to as
a probable lie. It provides a basis for evaluating the subjects perceptual set.
It is classified into primary control questions which is based on a lie & a secondary
control question which is based upon other aspects of wrongdoing.
TEST PROCEDURES
1.All test or polygraph examination must be conducted only after having a pre-test interview with
the subject to condition him for the test;
2. The polygraph examination should consist of asking the subject a list of not more than twelve
(12) prepared questions in a planned sequence.
3. There should be at least three (3) charts taken with each chart which should not exceed for
four (4) minutes with a rest interval of from five (5) to ten (10)minutes between charts.
TYPES OF TESTS
The number of test required when the subject indicates deception is at least five (5) test which
may be any of the foregoing:
●General Question Test- answerable by “Yes” or “No”, questions in which the subject knows it
to be true.
• Peak of Tension Test – refers to the series of questions in which only one has a
bearing on the matter under investigation. This is conducted where there is a
widespread knowledge pertaining to a crime but the intimate details are known only by
the offender. It is answerable by “No” only.
• Card Test- It is conducted immediately after the completion of the first test while the
pressure cuff is still deflated. The subject is ask to choose one from seven numbered

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 cards, take it and return the same without telling the examiner or otherwise identifying
the chosen number. The card is then shuffled by the examiner and instruct the subject to
answer “No” concerning the cards when shown. This is to single out which among the
answers given by the subject is a lie. This is undertaken to stimulate lying subjects into
specific responsiveness to the subsequent relevant questions and to afford the lying
subject an opportunity to try to distort the polygraph examination tracings which would
result in exposing his deception with respect to the matter under investigation.
Silent Answer Test -is a confirmatory test because the subject is afraid of the unfamiliar
and the unknown. It is an examination in which the subject is instructed by the examiner to
avoid audible response to the questions being asked.
• Guilt Complex Test – in cases where the subject is overly responsive, this test is given
which consists of a test pertaining to a purely fictitious incident of a similar nature to the
one under query. It is designed to compare the responsiveness on it with those that
appeared on the actual test record wherein questions are those which pertains to that
which is under Investigation. This test is designed for diagnostic purpose to aid in the
post examination interrogation of a lying subject.
• ●Mixed Question Test- This is consists of an arrangement of first and third test
questions, administered for the purpose of discounting possible factor of accidental
responses and to compare the degree of reaction between control and relevant
questions. The objective of such changes in question choice of words is to direct the
subject’s attention to certain particular items or situations and in so doing arouse his
concern that his earlier test records may have disclosed some deception respecting one
or more of the previous questions.
This question:
1) would indicate or refer to a subject who is considered a moderate
responder to both control and relevant questions;
2) Would refer to an erratic responder &
3)Would refer to an unresponsive subject.
Advantages in using Mixed Test Questions are as follows:
a) The mixed question test would permit additional pin-pointer pairings of the relevant &
control question responses;
b) The mixed question test would allow the examiner to check responsibility of spot
responses since some subjects would respond at certain times during the test without
regard to questions being asked.
c) c) Mixed Questions – is administered during the fourth exam which would guard against
subjects who may have anticipated the asking of certain questions and may give
anticipatory response.
d) d) A subject may have given a response at the end of the of the test due to discomfort,
by changing on the fourth test, the mixed question such occurrence would be excluded.
e) Re-examination – after all the five tests have been administered and the polygraph
examiner was not able to make a definite diagnosis, an arrangement should be made for
a re-examination of the subject at a later date. This situation occurs 10% of cases under

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 investigation where the polygraph examination has been used. During this discussion
where examiner finalizes the arrangement for re-examination, it would be helpful to
observe the subjects comments and general behavior ordinarily different from those of a
subject who is determined to be lying.
f) Experience would show that persons who are truthful would comply and adhere to the
pre-scheduled re-examination even if not under the custody of the police; on the other
hand untruthful subjects are prone to break the
The promise or arrangement to come back for a re-examination.
PROCEDURE FOR THE SUBJECT’S REEXAMINATION
1. The subject is required to sit on the chair as soon as he/she enters the examination
room;
2. Attachment of the component parts of the polygraph machine on the subject’s body
follows;
3. Any comments or suggestions from the subject should be given attention immediately
after attachment of all the parts of the polygraph machine on the subject’s body;
4. When no comment or admission has been made by the subject, proceed with the card
test and this time when the subject answers “NO”, the test is ended without asking the
remaining cards; This will give a greater positive ness pertaining to the efficiency of the
polygraph technique.
5. When the subject make a fuss or distortions on the tracing when his chosen card was
mentioned, the examiner should ask one other unselected card question and then repeat
the one pertaining to the chosen card.
PSYCHOLOGICAL & PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DECEPTION
• On the other hand, controlling internal responses is hard to accomplish seemingly next
to impossible. No person has been known to suppress completely the internal activity of
the body such as the rapid heart palpitations, the rush of blood on the face and the
gripping of the intestines. The conscious mental effort of a normal person with intent to
deceive stimulates the emotion of fear which leads to physiological changes capable of
being transmitted and recorded into different components of the polygraph machine and
accurately interpreted and diagnosed with certainty by a competent polygraph examiner.
KINDS OF RESPONSE
1. Normal Responses are responses of the subject that has no bearing on the matter
under investigation.
2. Specific Responses are responses which contain deviations or signs of deception
which has direct bearing on the matter under investigation.
General Rules to be followed in formulating Test Questions:
1. Questions must be short as possible.
2. Questions must be direct and simple.
3. Questions should not be in the form of an accusation.

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 4. All queries must be answerable by “yes” or “no”.
5. The terms to be used should be clear & understood by the subject.
6. All questions must refer to one offense only.
7. All questions must refer to one element of a felony.
8.Questions must not involve legal terminologies.
9. All questions should not contain inferences to one’s knowledge, religion, race, ideology or
belief.
CHART MARKINGS & INTERPRETATION OF THE TRACINGS
THE DESCRIPTIVE TYPES OF BREATHING
a) Normal
b) Rapid
c) Slow
d) Shallow
e) Deep
f) Serrated inhalation or exhalation or both
g) Deviations caused by coughing or mechanics of answering
PNEUMOGRAPH TRACINGS INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION
a) Change in amplitude or volume;
b) Change in rhythm or regularity; Ex. Shallow
c) Change in the inhalation and/or exhalation ratio;
d) Change of baseline;
e) Loss of baseline;
f) Hyperventilation; (deep breathing)
g) Suppression;
h) Respiratory block.
GALVANOGRAPH TRACINGS INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION
The galvanograph tracing is located at the center portion of the chart when properly
balanced takes the form of a slightly wavering line across the middle portion of the chart
with a minor response to spoken stimuli. The ff are the tracings:
a) Vertical rise at point of deception;
b) Double saddle response;
c) Plunging galvo tracing;

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 d) Long degree and/or duration of response following point of deception.
CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH TRACINGS INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION
The tracing is usually found at the bottom of the chart & it records the activity of the heart which
is made up of three physiological phenomena: a systolic rate; a diastolic stroke & a dicrotic
notch. The normal pulse rate of an average individual is 72 to 80 beats per minute. The tracings
are the following:
a) Increase or decrease in amplitude;
b) Increase or decrease in pulse rate;
c) Increase or decrease in blood pressure;
d) Change in the position or disappearance of dicrotic notch;
e) Extra systoles –which is the premature contraction of an auricle or ventricle while the
fundamental rhythm of the heart is maintained.
INTERPRETATION & ANALYSIS OF CHARTS TAKEN IN THE PEAK OF TENSION TEST
1. Any increase or decrease to point of deception than a level tracing;
2. An increase to point of deception and then decrease;
3. A decrease to point of deception and then an increase;
4. Level tracing to point of deception and then an increase or decrease;
5. Irregular to point of deception and then a smooth tracing;
6. Smooth to point of deception and then an erratic tracing;
7. Any alteration that may take place at point of deception.
SOME FACTORS OTHER THAN SPECIFIC RESPONSE WHICH ARE CONSIDERED AS
POSSIBLE DECEPTION
1. Degree of reaction;
2. Distribution of reactions;
3. Duration of reaction;
4. Latent period of time;
5. Rate of change of the curve;
6. Trend of gross curve.

• Polygraph tracing are more frequently detectable or reflected in the respiration tracing.
Both tracing, however, are absolutely essential in any polygraph examination. In
interpreting polygraph records, an examiner should look for general response patterns
and then ask himself the following questions:
1. What is the subjects normal breathing pattern?
2. Was the subject cooperating fully during the test?

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 3. What question shows the greatest response in respiration?
4. What question shows the greatest response in blood pressure?
5. Does the subject show any response on the control questions? If not, are different
control questions needed?
6. How does the subject’s response compare with his control question response?
7. Which responses are greater and most consistent, the crucial questions or the control
questions?
8. If the subject over responded is the guilt complex test advisable?
9. If the responses are not sufficiently clear as to either truth or deception, is a re-
examination necessary?
10. Did the subject purposely try to over respond or indulge in gross movements when
chosen card is called or when he answered “yes” as so instructed on the yes test.
ZONE COMPARISON TEST
• ZONE- a twenty to thirty five seconds block of polygraph chart time initiated by a
question having a unique psychological focusing appeal to a predictable group of
examinees. The color coding according to Bacster are the following:
• Green zone- for the Control questions
• Red zone- for the Relevant questions &
• Black zone- for the Symptomatic questions
Five (5) Variations of the Zone Comparison Test

1. The Matte Quadri-track Zone Comparison Technique- is a polygraph technique used

exclusively for single-issue tests. It was developed by Matte after two years of research and
experimentation with fictitious crime test used in conjunction with actual test in real-life
situations. This test also employ Backster’s basic test structure and quantification system with
some refinements and addition of another spot consisting of a control/relevant question pair to
deal with examinees “fear of error” and the guilty examinees “hope of error”.
2. The Backster Tri-Zone Comparison Technique- forms the basis of the Quadri-Track Zone
comparison technique, therefore the definition of terms articulated there and the methodology
used in the administration of the technique is applicable. Backster permits the use of inside
track “fear of error” control question and the “hope of error”. When the Backster zone
comparison technique does not incorporate the fear/hope of error questions the only difference
remaining in the test structure between number one and number two techniques is the position
of symptomatic questions which are opposite
3. The department of Defense Polygraph Institute (DoDPI) Bi-Spot Zone Comparison
Technique

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 • The First zone contains the relevant questions concerning, Primary, Secondary and S-K-
Y (Suspicion Knowledge You questions.The second zone, is used when there is only
one question or issue that must be addressed in the examination.
• 4. Integrated Zone comparison Technique-developed in 1987 by Nathan J. Gordon,
William M. Waid and Philip M. Cocheti. This technique has the most significant departure
from the original zone comparison technique developed by Cleve Bacster.
• 5. The Utah Zone Comparison Technique- the structure of this technique is basically
the same for single issue test as it is for multiple issue tests. However instead of using
relevant question that embraces several facts of a crime or matter under investigation,
the single issue test uses relevant question that addressed a single issue only.
FOUR (4) CLASSIFICATIONS OR SEGMENTS OF A POLYGRAPH CHART/TRACINGS
• The Average Tracing Segment- a segment within a tracing that shows no physiological
evidence of a change in the emotional level within the stress area on the polygraph
chart. (Backster 1970, Matte 1980). This is also known as Tomic level (Weinstein 1995,
DoDPI 1996).
The Reaction Tracing Segment- a segment within a tracing that shows physiological evidence
that tha sympathetic subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system has become more active,
indicating a psychological change from the subjects average emotional level. (Backster 1970,
Matte 1980). This is also known as Phasic or Tomic Response (Weinstein 1995, DoDPI
1996).
The Relief Tracing Segment-is a segment within a tracing that shows physiological evidence
that the parasympathetic subdivision of the autonomic nervous system has become more active
following the stress area on the polygraph chart, indicating a psychological return to the
subject’s exhibited average emotional level (Backster 1970, Matte 1980)This condition is also
known as Homeostatic Change (Weinstein 1995, DoDPI 1996).
The Distortion Tracing Segment- refers to a segment within a tracing that departs from the
average emotional level but lacks physiological evidence of either sympathetic or
parasympathetic activation within the stress area on the polygraph chart, indicating absence of
psychological origin.
(Backster 1970, Matte 1980). This condition is also referred to as Artifact (Weinstein 1995,
DoDPI 1996).
LEGAL STATUS OF POLYGRAPHY
• Point of cross-examination during court appearance
• Qualifications of an examiner
Moral qualifications of the Examiner:
It is the duty of examiner to uphold and protect the rights of the subject.
He should not allow subjects suffering from temporary and permanent illness to undergo the
test.
Technical Qualifications of the Examiner

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• That he should continuously upgrade his knowledge in conducting polygraph
examination;
• He should upgrade and update his techniques in conducting the test.
• Update knowledge on how to properly use the polygraph machine.
• Barriers and limitations of polygraph
• Minimum Requirements for a valid Polygraph Examination
• The Polygraph Examiner
• The Subject or Examinee
• The Polygraph Technique
• The Polygraph Instrument
END..
GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS!

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