Module 1

POLYGRAPHY (ART OF LIE DETECTION)

BASIC CONCEPTS
 Polygraphy - is the scientific method of detecting deception with the use of a polygraph
instrument. This is the new name of LIE DETECTION.
 Polygraph - is a scientific diagnostic instrument used to record physiological changes in the
blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration and skin resistance of an examinee under controlled
condition.
 Lie Detector - is the popular but misleading name of the Polygraph. In Greek, Polygraph means
“many writings” and the instrument was so named because it makes various ink recordings of a
person’s body functions.
 Other name of the Polygraph - also called “truth verifier” since statistics show that is the vast
majority of the instances the instrument verifies an innocent person’s truthfulness.
Concepts of Polygraph Examination
 Used to test an individual for the purpose of detecting deception or verify the truth of statement
 Records identifiable physiological reactions of the subject, such as blood pressure, pulse rate,
respiration and skin resistance.
 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 wellbeing.
Objectives of Polygraph Examination
 Obtain additional investigation leads to the facts of the case/offenses.
 Ascertain if a person is telling the truth
 Locate the fruits or tools of the crime or whereabouts of wanted persons.
 Identify other persons involved.
 Obtain valuable information form reluctant witnesses
 Eliminate the innocent suspects.
Principal Uses of the Polygraphy
 Aid in investigation
 Speeds up processing of investigation
 Eliminates innocent suspects
 Pre-employment screening
 Honesty test (Periodic test) Understanding Lie Detection
 Investigation – in every criminal investigation, the truth must be established to ensure proper
prosecution of offenders. Investigators must exert all effort to determine lying not only on the part
of the suspect but as well as to everyone involved in the criminal act – witnesses, victims, etc. In
establishing the truth, criminal investigators apply various methods such as: observation;
mechanical lie detection; use of drugs that inhibits the “inhibitor”; hypnosis; and interrogation.
 Lie - Any untruthful statement; Falsehood; Anything that deceives or creates false impression; to
make untrue statements knowingly, especially with intent to deceive; To give an erroneous or
misleading impression; Lie is also synonymous to Deceit; deception; fabrication; falsehood; and
untruth.
 Detection - act of detecting, discovery, perceiving, finding, or uncovering something obscure
Kinds of Lie
 White Lie or Benign Lie - the kind of lies used to protect or maintain the harmony of friendship
or any relationship.
 Pathological Lie - this is a lie made by persons who cannot distinguish right from wrong.
 Red Lie- this involves political interests and motives because this is a part of communist
propaganda strategy. This is prevalent in communist countries or communist infested nation. Lies
of means of propaganda-brain-washing and blackmail via espionage and treason.
 Black Lie - a lie accompanies pretensions and hypocrisies, intriguing to cause dishonor or
discredit one’s good image.
 Malicious or Judicial Lie- this is very pure and unjustifiable kind of lie that is intended purely to
mislead or obstruct justice.
Types of Liars
 Panic Liar - one who lies in order to avoid the consequences of a confession, afraid of
embarrassment to love ones and it is a serious blow to his or her ego, believes that confession will
just make the matter worst.
 Occupational Liar – one who lied for spare years, this person is a practical liar and lies when it
has a higher “pay off” than telling the truth.
 Tournament Liar – one who loves to lie and always excited by the challenge of not being
detected. He is a person who view interview as another contest and wants to win it; realizes that he
will probably be convicted but will not give anyone the satisfaction of hearing him confesses, he
wants that people will believe that the law is punishing an innocent person.
 Psychopathic Liar – is a difficult type to deal with. This person has no conscience. He shows no
regret for dishonesty and generally do not show any manifestation of guilt.
 Ethnological Liar - is one who is taught not to be a squealer. A squealer is person who informs
on someone to the police or a person in authority. This type is common among those who are
working in with secret organizations.
 Pathological Liar – one who cannot distinguish right from wrong due to mental deficiency or
insanity.
 Black Liar – one who always pretends about what he thinks of himself, the kind of person he is,
and what he is.

Module 2
Early Methods of Detecting Lies

 Red Hot Iron Ordeal - accused placed his tongue to a red-hot iron nine times unless burned
sooner; if burned, he is put to death. Not only licking the iron, he is also made to carry the metal
into his hands.
 Ordeal by the Balance – a scale of balance is used. In one end of the scale, the accused is placed
in the other end, a counter balance; if he were found to be lighter than before, then he should be
acquitted.
 Boiling Water Ordeal - subjects will drop their right arm into the boiling pot to the elbow and
step into the other side of the fire, the one who had the most blisters would prove the thief.
 Ordeal by Rice Chewing - with a kind of rice called sathee, prepared with various incantations;
the person on trial eats, then spits upon a leaf; if the saliva is mixed with blood or the corner of his
mouth swell or he trembles, he is declared then a liar.
 Ordeal of the Red Water – known as ordeal of the “sassy bark”. The accused is made to fast for
twelve hours; then swallow a small amount of rice which will be imbibed in dark colored water. If
the suspects eject all the rice, he is considered innocent of the charge, otherwise, he is guilty.
 Trial by Combat – a fight between the accuser and the accused, whoever lost the battle will be
the adjudged guilty.
 Trial by Torture - accused will undergo severe physical tests.

 Drinking Ordeal - accused is given a decoction (liquor) to drink by a priest. Innocent if no harm
befalls him, guilty, if he dies.

 Trial of the Eucharist – this trial is reserved for the clergy, and administered with ceremony. If
the accused was guilty, the Angel Gabriel will descend from heaven and prevent the accused from
swallowing the food given unto him.

 Ordeal by Heat and Fire - accused is compelled to walk bare footed through a fire; if he remains
unhurt then he is innocent.

 Ordeal of the Hot Needle – a red hot needle is drawn through the lips of the accused. Innocent if
no blood will be seen flowing out.

 Ordeal of the Tiger - accuser and accused are placed together at the same time in a tiger cage,
then a tiger set loose upon them. If both are spared, further elimination followed.

 Ordeal by the Cross – the accuser and accused are made to stand with arms crossed on their
breasts. The one who endured the longest was deemed to have told the truth, the other, is the liar.

 Ordeal of the Donkey’s Tail – a donkey is placed in one room alone and observed. If the donkey
cried, the accused is judged guilty.