1.

Irrelevant Question = a question that has no connection with the matter under investigation and deals with
known facts that the subject cannot be denied. It is designed to be emotionally neutral to examinees and usually
answerable by “yes’. Also called Neutral Question.

Characteristics of Irrelevant

1. It has no connection to the matter under investigation.

2.No threat to subject (usually).

3. Neither innocent nor guilty suspects have reason to lie.

4. Usually about the suspect’s background.

5. Generally used at the beginning of polygraph technique to establish a ‘norm’ for examinee, or throughout the
examination as needed to reestablish norm pattern.

Purposes of Irrelevant Question

1. Establish the professional authority in the room that means, the examiner asks questions and the suspect
answers.

2. It allows the examiner to assess the subject’s normal behavior for this heightened emotional situation.

3. Allows the examiner to identify something he has in common with the subject, to establish rapport.

4. It minimizes resistance.

2. Symptomatic Question = is designed to ensure that the examiner will not ask un-reviewed questions or that
the examinee is not afraid that the examiner will ask un-reviewed questions.

Examples:

 Do you believe me when I promised not to ask a question in this test I have not gone over word for
word?
 Even though I promised I would not, are you afraid I will ask a question in this test I have not gone over
word for word?

3. Sacrifice Relevant Question = it introduces the relevant question to the subject

= designed to absorb the response generated by the introduction of relevant question in the series

Example:

 Regarding the (matter under investigation), are you willing to answer the questions truthfully?

4. Relevant Question = a question deals with the matter under investigation. Color coded red in computerized
instruments. It is designed to generate reactions from deceptive subject.

Types of Relevant Question

a. Primary Relevant (Strong Relevant) = addresses the primary issue or direct involvement of the subject on
the matter under question. It is use primarily with the single-issue examination.

 Ex. Did you take that missing money?

b. Secondary Relevant (Weak Relevant) = deals with the physical acts that support the primary issue. This is
usually use in multi-issue examination.

 Ex. Did you participate in the theft of that missing money?

c. Guilty Knowledge = designed to probe whether the subject possesses information regarding the identity of
the offender or the facts of the case under question.
  Ex. Do you know who took that missing money?
d. Evidence Connecting Question = test question in which the examinee is asked about a particular piece of
physical evidence that would incriminate the guilty person. It could be items left at the crime scene by the
perpetrator or stolen property.

 Ex. Do you know where any of that missing money is right now?

5. Comparison Question = a question which is the same in nature with that of the relevant question but broad in
scope.

= is used for comparative purposes with the relevant question.

= designed to generate reactions from truthful subject.

Types of Comparison Question

a. Directed Lie Comparison Question (DLC) = a comparison question in which the examinee is instructed by
the examiner to answer the questions untruthfully.

Some examiners actually get admission to comparison questions and then instruct the
examinee to lie to that question when it is asked.

b. Probable Lie Comparison Question (PLC) = a question to which it is likely that the examinee is untruthful
with his answer.

= PLC questions are broad in scope and usually based on actions categorically similar to that of the
issue under investigation

Types of Probable Lie

a. Inclusive = a comparison question which include the relevant time period under investigation. It was originally
designed by Reid.

= this type of question usually starts with the phrase: “In your entire life,…..”. Also termed as
inclusionary.

b. Exclusive = a comparison question separated in time, place and category from the relevant question. It was
introduced by Cleve Backster. He believes that this prevents the guilty suspect from perceiving the comparison
question as an ambiguous relevant question.

Example:

 During the first __ years of your life, did you ever ____?
 Prior to 2009, did you ever _____ ?
 While in college ______?
 Between the ages of __ & __, did you ever _____?

Types of Polygraph Technique/Test

1. General Question Test = consist of series of relevant, irrelevant control questions in a planned order.
Developed by John E. Reid

2. Relevant/Irrelevant Test = consists primarily of series of irrelevant questions and relevant question pertaining
to the crime under investigation. Developed by Keeler.

3. Peak of Tension Test = consist of only one relevant and a series of irrelevant questions.
 = resemble, in every general way, the card test, for it consist essentially of the asking of a series of
question in which only one has any bearing upon the matter under investigation.

= padding questions before and after the relevant questions.

Two Types of POT Test

 Known Solution Peak of Tension Test (KSPOT) = is used to determine whether the examinee is
aware of details of a crime that have been kept from the general public and would presumably only be
known to the perpetrator of the crime or those with incriminating knowledge.
 Searching Peak of Tension Test (SPOT) = is used to determine details of a crime that are not known
to officials, such as the location of an unrecovered body, but would be known to a participant in the
crime.

4. Card test / Acquaintance Test / Stimulation Test = the subject is presented with seven (7) previously
numbered cards face down.

= he will be instructed to take one, look at it and return it with the rest of the cards.

= the examiner will shuffle the cards and each card will be shown to him, with the instruction that he will
answer “NO” to all cards , even if the one being shown to him is the one he has seen earlier.

5. Guilt Complex Test = used primarily for overly responsive subjects.

= a totally fictitious incident but a similar nature to the matter being investigated and make him believe it
is real.

= The purpose is to compare the response with those response made concerning the actual matter
under investigation

6. Silent Answer Test = Subject is instructed not to give any verbal answer, the subject will only answer in his
mind.

7. Comparison Question Test (CQT) = the reactions on the control and relevant questions are compared via
numerical scoring

Polygraph Examiner = is one who is capable of detecting deception and verifying the truthfulness of statement
through the use of a polygraph instrument.

= is someone who has successfully completed formal education and training in conducting polygraph
examination and is certified by his agency to conduct such examination.

Subject = is any person who undergoes polygraph examination.

Polygraph Examination = a process that encompasses all activities that take place between a polygraph
examiner and an examinee during a specific series of interactions. For a valid polygraph examination to exist,
respiration, EDA, and Cardiovascular activity must be monitored and recorded.

Two Types of Polygraph Exam

1. Mixed Issue Exam = multiple-issue polygraph testing like screening of applicants or audit of employees or
persons with security clearances.

2. Diagnostic Exam = a test which involves specific case investigation.

Types of Diagnostic Exam

1. Single Issue Exam = a test which inquires direct involvement of subject into a specific case under question.

2. Mult-facet Exam = test format in which the relevant questions are targeted toward different elements of the
same crime.

Stages in the Conduct of the Polygraph Test

 Initial Interview With the Investigator

1. Pre-test Interview = an interview conducted by the polygraph examiner designed to prepare or condition the
subject for the actual test. It usually last for about 20 – 30 minutes

a. Determining the subject physical, mental and psychological suitability to undergo the test

a.1. the subject should avoid taking drugs at least 12 hrs before the test

a.2. the subject if female should not be pregnant

a.3. the subject should not be hungry

a.4. the subject should not be physically or emotional abuse

a.5. the subject should not be suffering high blood or hypertension.

b. Informing the subject of his Constitutional Rights (if the examiner is a law enforcement officer)

c. Taking of the subject consent

d. Taking of the subject personal data

e. Discuss with the subject the crime/issue under investigation

f. Preparing the subject for the test – administration of stimulation test

2. ln-Test (Actual Test) = is the actual conduct of the test administered by a polygraph examiner