POLYGRAPHY

TIMELINE OF POLYGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

 1895
Cesare Lombroso, an Italian scientist,
employed the first scientific instrument
to detect deception –
HYDROSPHYMOGRAPH, measured
changes in pulse and blood pressure
when suspects were questioned about
their involvement of a specific offense.
1914

 VITTORIO BENUSSI successfully

detected deception with a
PNEUMOGRAPH – an instrument
that graphically measures an
examinee’s inhalation and exhalation.
Benussi thus demonstrated that
changes in breathing patterns
accompany deception.
1917

 Further research by WILLIAM

MARSTON in 1917 dealt with
the SPHYGMOMANOMETER,
which was used to obtain
periodic discontinuous blood
pressure readings during the
course of an examination.
1920

 A device recording both blood-pressure and

galvanic skin response was invented
in 1920 by Dr. John A. Larson of the
University of California and first applied in law
enforcement work by the Berkeley Police
Department under its nationally renowned
police chief August Vollmer
 . Further
work on this device was
done by Leonarde Keeler.[2] The
first time the term "polygraph"
was used was in 1906 by James
MacKenzie in his invention the
"ink polygraph," which was used
for medical reasons.
 Marston was the self proclaimed “father of the
polygraph” despite his predecessor's
contributions. Marston remained the device's
primary advocate, lobbying for its use in the
courts. In 1938 he published a book, The Lie
Detector Test, wherein he documented the
theory and use of the device.[9] In 1938 he
appeared in advertising by the Gillette company
claiming that the polygraph showed Gillette
razors were better than the
competition.[10][11][12]
CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH

 CESARE LOMBROSO – accorded as

the first person that utilizes
instrument in detecting deception.
 His basis in detecting deception is by
measuring the blood pressure and
pulse rate.
 This is known as
HYDROSPHYGMOGRAPH
 ANGELO MOSSO – he stated that
FEAR influenced the heart and could
be use as a basis for detecting
deception. He uses
sphygmanometer and scientific
radio to study fear
 DR. WILLIAM MARSTON – he
conducted numerous tests for detecting
deception and utilizes the change in
systolic pressure to determine
deception.
 He also developed his own method of
reading systolic blood pressure.
 Self proclaim father of polygraph
 JOHN A. LARSON – the real
“Father of lie detection”.
 The present polygraph machine is
attributed to him. He is the en who
develop and study to record at the same
time the responses of the blood
pressure, pulse rate and respiration
GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT

 STICKER – he introduced the method of

detecting deception from the galvanic
impression on the chart tracing.
 VERGUTH – he used the word
PSYCHOGALVANIC reflex. He believed that
electrical phenomena are due to the activity
of sweat glands, and such activity is known as
“psychogalvanic”.
PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT

 VITTORIO BENUSSI – he noted changes in

inhalation ratio during indications of
deceptions.
LEONARD KEELER

 he device a metal recording bellows; rolled

chart paper.
 In 1949, he incorporated Galvanograph with
measurement of blood pressure and
respiration into a portable case.
The four Major components

 PNEUMOGRAPH
 CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH
COMPONENT
 GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT
 KEYMOGRAPH COMPONENT
 Today, polygraph examiners use
two types of instrumentation:
analog
computerized

In the United States, most examiners now

use computerized instrumentation.
 An analog polygraph instrument
Most analog polygraphs are being replaced by digital
devices.
Today, most polygraph exams are administered with digital equipment
like this.
The Polygraph Instrument
CARDIO-SPHYGMOGRAPH

 Blood pressure and heart rate are

measured by the cardio-
sphygmograph component of the
polygraph, which consists of a blood
pressure cuff that is wrapped around
the subject's arm.
 During the questioning the cuff remains
inflated.
 The movement of blood through
the subject's veins generates a
sound that is transmitted through
the air in the cuff to a bellows that
amplifies the sound. The magnitude
of the sound relates to the blood
pressure and the frequency of the
changes in the sound relates to the
heart rate.
PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT

 The pneumograph component of the

polygraph records the subject's
respiratory rate. One tube is placed
around the subject's chest and a
second is placed around his or her
abdomen. These tubes are filled with
air. When the subject breaths,
changes in the air pressure in the
tubes are recorded on the polygraph.
GALVANOGRAPH

 The galvanograph section records the

amount of perspiration produced.
 It consists of electrical sensors called
galvanometers that are attached to
the subject's fingertips. The skin of
the fingertips contains a high density
of sweat glands, making them a good
location to measure perspiration.
KEYMOGRAPH

 Keymograph component is a
motor that pulls or drives the
chart paper under the recording
pen simultaneously at the rate of
6 or 12 inches per minute.
 The Examination Room
 It must be private and free from all outside noise
and detracting influences.
 Adequately lighted and well ventilated
 Devoid of pictures, paintings, decors or other
ornaments.
 Preferably sound-proof
 Without any furniture other than a polygraph desk.
 Subjects chair with arm rest and an examiner’s
stool.
 With one-way mirror and remote sound system for
monitoring the test proceedings to an authorized
audience.
The polygraph examiner

 TECHNICALLY, he must have a

complete knowledge of the
instrument and its capabilities and
limitations.
 MORALLY – maintain a high personal
integrity and increasing personal
proficiency through constant study
and research.
Question Formulation

 Questions formulated are short,

simple and direct answerable by
either ‘Yes” or “No” only, phrased in
the language easily understood by the
subjects.
 The questions must be clear and must
have reference to only one element of
an offense of fact.
Control Questions

 These are questions which are

unrelated to the matter under
investigation but are of similar
nature although less serious as
compared to those relevant
questions under investigation.
Limitations

 It is an invaluable investigation aid, but never

a substitute for investigation.
 It is a lie detector, it is not a scientific
diagnostic instrument.
 It does not determine facts, it records
responses to that which the subject knows to
be true.
 It is only as accurate as the examiner is
competent.
Test Procedure

 Not more than 12 questions

 At least three (3) charts are taken,
each lasting not more than four
(4) minutes,
 5 to ten minutes between charts.
END OF PRESENTATION