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LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES

Prepared By: Kenneth Besona
 Polygraphy- is the scientific method of detecting deception through the use of a polygraph instrument. It also known as
“scientific truth verification.”
o Deception- the act of misleading and deceiving that is accompanied by lying.

 Polygraph- comes from the Greek word “Poly” means “many or more than one” and “Graphein” means “to write.”
- it is one of the instrument used to monitor and record the physiological changes of the person specifically the pulse
beat, respiration and skin resistance.
- the word polygraph was first used by Thomas Jefferson to describe one of his invention which could rewrite repeated
words but not intended to be used for lie detection.
- polygraph is only used as a means of interpreting the changes of the physiological reactions but does not precisely
determined deception on the part of the subject.
- it is being compared to an X-ray machine in which it records the internal changes in the human body and subject for
an interpretation.

 Two Types of Polygraph Instrument

a. Conventional or Analog Polygraph Instrument

- the old and traditional type of polygraph instrument.

b. ComputerizedPolygraph Instrument
- appears as a digital and contemporary type of polygraph instrument in which it allows the examiner to
collect physiological data from the subject in the most convenient way.

 THE TRIPOD FOUNDATION OF POLYGRAPHY

1. The Psychological Leg Basic Premise

- states that the specific nervous system can be stimulated which results to involuntary mental and emotional
responses that can be identified if a person has the intent to deceive.

2. The Physiological Leg Basic Premise

- it states that a person’s physiological changes can be recorded after the stimulation of the specific nervous
system.

3. The Mechanical Leg Basic Premise

- itstates that a polygraph instrument is capable of graphically record the indication of physiological changes of
the person.

 EARLY METHODS OF DECEPTION

1. Trial by Combat-the two parties who are in dispute will fight in a duel or combat and whoever won the fight will be
considered innocent and the loser will be adjudged as guilty. It is a practice done in ancient England.

2. Trial By Ordeal- a person is being subjected to an unpleasant situation in order to determine his guilt.
- the word “Ordeal” came from the Latin word “Dei Indicum” which means “a miraculous
decision.” If the wound or injury made by such ordeal heals, a person is considered innocent, otherwise, the accused
is said to be guilty. It relies on the belief that a person is declared guilty or not through a “Divine Providence”
a. Ordeal of Hot Water- a person will be instructed to retrieve a stone from boiling water.
b.Ordeal of Boiling Oil- practiced in West Africa. A person must a retrieve an item in a boiling oil and those who
refused the task will be automatically adjudged guilty.
c.Red Hot Iron Ordeal- the accused will touched a hot metal 9 (nine) times using his tongue.
d.Order of Hot Needle- a person’s lips will be teased by a hot needle.
e. Ordeal of Cold Water- a person will be accused of witchcraft and the accused who sink or drown is considered
innocent while those who floats will be tagged as witch.
f.Ordeal of Rice Chewing- an accused is required to swallow rice and if he failed to swallow or spit it out dry, he will
be adjudged guilty.
g.Ordeal of Red Water (The Trial of the Eucharist)-an accused is required to run for an hour and immediately eat a
cup of rice and drink dark-colored water. It will serve as emetic and once a person vomits the rice, he will be
considered innocent.
h. Ordeal of the Cross- the accused and the accuser must stand on the side of the cross and have to stretch out
their hands horizontally. The first person who lowers their arms will lose.
i.The Test of the Axe- a group of person will be arranged in circle and an axe will be spun in the center of the group.
When the axe’s blade stop at a particular person, he is considered as guilty.
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j. The Test of the Candle- the accuser and the accused are each given a candle with the same length. These
candles will be lighted at the same time. The one with a candle that burns longer determines who speaks the truth.
k. Donkey’s Tail (Ash Tail) Ordeal- all accused person are required the strike a donkey’s tail and when the chosen
donkey cries, an accused will be adjudged guilty.

 Other Methods of Lie Detection

1. Brain Waves
2. Brain Imagery
3. Eye Tracking
4. Facial Analysis
5. Narco-Interrogation
6. Reaction Time
7. Voice Stress Analysis
8. Word Association Test- invented by Francis Galton, a series of stimulus and non-stimulus words are read to the subject
and instructed to answer as quickly as possible.
9. Use of Alcoholic Beverages- it is due to the belief in “In Vino, Veritas” (In Wine, There is Truth)
10. Use of Hypnotism
11. Polygraphy

 PERSONALITIES IN POLYGRAPHY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS

1. Angelo Mosso-made used of the “plethysmograph” and the “scientific cradle” that measures the flow of blood. He
advocates that the “detection of fear” has a direct influence in the physiological reaction of the body.

2. Cesare Lombroso-made a modification of the plethysmograph resulting in the hydrosphygmograph which is used as
a blood pressure pulse test in the actual criminal suspect.

3. Francis Galton- used the word association test. It was injected with several relevant and irrelevant words and would
be presented to the patient. There will be an inner reaction by showing either delay or more rapid reaction.

4. Sir James Mackenzie- devised the ink polygraphwhich records the vascular pulses of the person.

5. Dr. William Marston- the inventor of the systolic-blood pressure along with the “discontinuous technique”in which there
is a repeated inflation of the cuff after obtaining readings during examination.
6. Sticker- made the earliest application of psychogalvanometer to forensic issues.

7. Veraguth- first to use the word association test with galvanometer and termed the psychogalvanic skin reflex.

8. VetturioBenussi- used the MareyPneumographused to record the inspiration-respiration or the subject’s breathing in
the detection of deception.

9. John Larson- In 1921, he added a breadboard as a base to the instrument, Cardio-PneumoPsychogramwhich he

borrowed from Dr. Robert Gesell. It was later known as the “Breadboard Polygraph”. He is considered as the “Father of
Polygraphy” for being the first person to detect deception in a more scientific way.

10. Leonard Keeler- he designed the “kymograph” and added to the polygraph instrument. In 1938, he included the
“Psychogalvanometer” as the third instrument. He also developed the “Relevant-Irrelevant Technique” and
considered as the “Father of Modern Polygraphy”

 THE PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECT OF LYING

 Psychology- the study of behavior and the mind.

o Emotion- the word emotion came from the French word emouvoir, which means “to stir from up”
- it is a conscious experience or feeling characterized by sudden drift of physiological reactions from
the calm state of the organism.
 “Fear Theory”
- or known as “Fear of Detection.” It is a theory being adapted in the polygraph examination and
states that a lying person fears detection which causes sudden physiological reactions.

o Deception- it is an act of deceiving or misleading usually accompanied by lying. A deceptive person is trying to
act in such a way that makes a person believe it to be true.
o Lie- it is the deliberate way of giving information to someone that is not true.

 Types of Lie
1. Big Lie- the person you are lying to already knew the truth.
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2. Bluffed Lie- a person pretends that he know or he is capable of doing something which he does not actually
possess.
3. Emergency Lie- a truth shall not be told because it may cause harm to other person.
4. Lie of Exaggeration- adding or exaggerating information which is not part of the truth.
5. Lie of Fabrication- truth are being falsified or made up.
6. Lie of Omission- there is an omission or reduction of relevant part of the truth.
7. Misleading Lie-
8. Noble Lie- lies to someone for the benefit of the others.
9. Puffery Lie- exaggerated lies found on advertisement and commercials.
10. Lie of Compliment- lies intended to please others.
11. White Lie- lying to avoid minor issues.
12. Red Lie- means to destroy the ideologies or creating propaganda.
13. Malicious Lie- to mislead and obstruct justice.
14. Jocose Lie- sarcastic lie.

 Psychophysiology- it refers to the study of the effect of the human mind to the body. This specific reactions is because of
the application of the “stimuli” into the human body which brings signals to the brain and this stimulation of the brain
results to physiological reactions.
o Stimulus- it is something that causes reaction or response to a person.

 The Nervous System- the complex network of interconnecting nerve and cells which is responsible in carrying messages to
and from the brain to various parts of the body. It is divided into two: the Central Nervous Systemand the Peripheral
Nervous System.

1. Central Nervous System (CNS)

- it is the main functioning system of the nervous system which consist of the brain and spinal cord.

 Brain- it receives and transmits the stimuli and it dictates the body how to react from such signal.
 Spinal Cord- the main responsible in sending signals to and from the particular parts of the body.
o Sensory Signal- comes in to the spinal cord to the brain.
o Motor Signal- comes in to the brain to the spinal cord.

2. Peripheral Nervous System- this are series of nerves that connects the central nervous system to the organs of the
body.

 Somatic Nervous System- it concerns with the voluntary activities of the body and reactions that can be controlled.
 Autonomic Nervous System- it concerns with the involuntary activities of the body or the reactions that cannot be
controlled such as heartbeat and breathing. It is the main concern in polygraphy.

 Two Divisions of Autonomic Nervous System

b. Sympathetic Nervous System- an “emergency or action system” that is responsible in sudden
changes in physiological reactions.
o Epinephrine- hormones that stimulates sympathetic nervous system.
c. Parasympathetic Nervous System- the “housekeeping or equilibrium system” of the nervous system
which brings back the body into normal (homeostasis) state.
o Neropinephrine- a hormone that gives energy in times of stress and brings back the
normal state of a person.

 Responses to Threat
Fight, Flight, or Freeze (F3)

 The Polygraph Instrument

1. Pneumograph- detects and records changes in respiration or breathing of the subject.

- it is composed of two 5-inch pens:
For Thoracic Breather or Upper Chest (commonly found on boys)
For Abdominal Breather (commonly found on girls)

a. Rubber Convoluted Tube-

2. Cardiosphygmograph- detects and records changes in the cardiovascular (blood volume, blood pressure and pulse
beat) functions of the subject.
-it has a 5-inch pen.

a. Blood Pressure Cuff- attached at the upper right arm (brachial artery) of a subject.
b. Shygmomanometer- indicates the amount of air pressure present in the apparatus.
c. Recording Pen Unit- it is five (5) inches in length.

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d. Air Pump- it is used to supply air to the cardiosphygmograph.
e. Vent- it is designed to release excess air pressure from the system.

3. Galvanograph- detect and record changes in skin resistance.

a. Finger Electrode Plate- attached to the index and ring fingertips.

b. Recording Pen Unit- 7-inches in length.
c. Amplifier Unit- converts electrical signal into mechanical system.
o 5 microamp- it is the sensing current found on the electrodes which is far below the threshold of
feeling.
d. Sensitivity Control- adjust the desired tracings.
4. Kymograph- it is a motor that drives out simultaneously the chart paper from the polygraph machine. It runs at the
speed of five (5) seconds per vertical chart division or twelve (12) division in one minute.

a. Cutter Bar- cuts the paper after each examination.

b. Rubber Roller- designed to pull the paper out of the machine.
c. Paper Rail Guide- secures the paper’s movement without shaking.
d. Synchronous Motor- runs the paper at the uniform speed.

5. Pen and Inking System- it provides for the permanent record of the examination in the chart paper.

 Polygraph Examination
- refers to activities that takes place between a polygraph examiner and a subject. It is also referred to as,
“Psychophysiological Detection of Deception (PDD)”
- it encompasses the procedure from pre-test examination to post-test interview or interrogation.

 Polygraph Examiner- is a person who is able to detect deception through his/her knowledge in using the
polygraph instrument, interpret the result, and renders an opinion regarding the truthfulness of the subject’s
statement thereafter. They are also referred to as “Forensic Psychophysiologist” and “Polygraphist”.

o Responsibility of a Polygraph Examiner

1. Examiner is an impartial seeker of the truth and he never allows personal feelings and prejudices in favor of
or against the subject which affects the result of the examination.
2. A truthful subject must be reported truthful and deceptive subject must be reported deceptive.
3. He must assure that the subject is safeguarded against possible error in interpreting the examination’s result
and must be aware that a subject is allowed to undergo such examination whose physical and mental state
makes him unfit.

 Subject or Examinee- a person who undergoes and administers polygraph examination and is being asked a
series of questions which he must answer.

o Subjects Suitable for Examination

1. They must be free from any prohibited drugs for 12 hours before the exam.
2. They should not smoke for 2 hours before the exam.
3. They should not be suffering from hypertension or highblood.
4. Must have at least 5 hours of sleep
5. Must have a pulse beat of 70-75 per minute.
6. Must not be pregnant.
7. Must not be hungry.

 Polygraph Room- it is a place where the polygraph examination will be conducted between the polygraph
examiner and the subject.
1. It must be spacious
2. Well ventilated and well lighted
3. Sound Proof
4. Must not consist of colorful decorations as it may affect the outcome of the examination.

 Phases of Polygraph Examination

Phase I- Pre-Test Interview

- is the examination being conducted from the beginning of the examination up to the activation of the
polygraph instrument.
- it is done to prepare or condition the subject for the actual test as its primary purpose.

1. Determining the subject’s suitability for the test.

2. Informing the subject’s Constitutional Rights

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3. Taking the subject’s consent
4. Explaining the functions of the instrument
5. Taking of the subject’s personal data.
6. Preparing the subject for the test- if the subject is highly nervous, it is advisable to prolong the pre-test interview.

Phase II- Actual-Test (Test Execution)

- consists of all the process that occur once the test questions have been administered.

o Polygraph Chart (Polygram)-this is where the physiological reactions of the subject during the actual test are
being recorded. It has a measurement of one hundred (100) feet and one-half (1/2) inch vertical division.
o Chart Markings- are labels or annotations of the physiological tracings of the subject.

 Types of Chart Markings

1. Primary Markings- markings being placed at the beginning and end of the examination during each
particular set of questions and answers.
a. X- start of the test.
b. I I– a vertical line which indicates the start and end of questions.
c. + - positive sign indicates that the subject answers with “yes”
d. - a negative sign indicates a “no’ answer.
e. XX- indicates the end of test.

2. Secondary Markings- are markings that must be placed only if there are distorted tracings or artifacts.

Phase III- Post-Test Interrogation or Interview

- the opinion of the examiner is being considered in this examination. If the examiner finds the subject truthful and
cooperative, he must undergo an interview and reported as truthful or negative. If the subject has a presence or indication of
deception, he must undergo an interrogation to obtain confession or admission surrounding the commission of the crime and must
be reported as deceptive or negative.

 Polygraph Questions and Techniques

 Types of Polygraph Test Questions

a. Irrelevant Questions- it is used to establish the norm for the examinee and questions that has no connection with the
matter under investigation
Ex. Were you born in the Philippines?

b. Symptomatic Question- done to ensure that the subject will not be asked with un-reviewed questions.
Ex.Do you believe that I will not ask you questions we have not reviewed?

c. Sacrifice Relevant Question- a question used as an introduction to the relevant question which is designed to absorb the
response of the subject once the relevant question will be asked.
Ex. Regarding the crime of robbery, are you willing to answer the question truthfully?

d. Relevant Question- questions that is connected with matters under investigation. It is designed to obtain reactions from a
deceptive subject.

 Types of Relevant Question

o Primary Relevant- questions that has direct involvement of the subject under investigation.
Ex. Did you kill Jose?

o Secondary Relevant- a question that is in support on the primary issue.

Ex. Did you participate in the killing of Jose?

o Guilty Knowledge-designed to determine if the subject has a knowledge or information on the identity of the
perpetrator or the facts of the case in connection with the investigation.
Ex.Do you know who owns that unlicensed firearm used to kill Jose?

o Evidence Connecting Question- a subject will be asked if he has an idea about particular physical evidence that
would incriminate a perpetrator.
Ex.Do you know where the unlicensed firearm is right now?

e. Control Questions- it is the same in nature with the relevant question designed to gain response from truthful subject. It is
used in comparison with the relevant question. It is also termed as Comparison Question.

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Ex.Did you kill someone 10 years ago?

 Polygraph Techniques

a. Relevant-Irrelevant= it is consist of series of relevant and irrelevant questions.

b. Peak of Tension Test= a question which consist of a padding questions.

 Accuracy of a Polygraph Questions

1. Accuracy- is a measurement of the extent to which an observed situation reflects the true situation. It is a quality of
being true or exact. Polygraph test is believed to have more than 90% accuracy.
2. Reliability- stability or consistency by measuring the rate of decision based on the agreement among the polygraph
examiners on the polygraph chart.
 Interrater Reliability- denotes agreement by two or more examiners to finalized the result.
 Intrarater Reliability- done by only one examiner by examining again the chart on different occasions.
3. Result Errors
 False negative- wrong decision that the subject is truthful.
False Posit

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