LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
Polygraphy
- is scientific methods of detecting deception done with
the aid of a polygraph machine.
Polygraph
- (derived from the Greek words Poly) = many or several
and Graph = (writing chart) is a scientific instrument
capable of recording simultaneously changes in blood
pressure, pulse rate, respiration and skin resistance as
indicative of emotional disturbance especially of a lying
subject when being questioned.
Thomas Jefferson (first man to used the word
“polygraph”) Polygraph machine is a sensitive machine
which is likened or compared to an X-ray, which
requires proper interpretation for validation and its
accuracy is said to be directly proportional to the
knowledge, skills, education, desire, competency and
integrity of the operator. Hence, the attitude of “let’s put
them on the lie box” should be firmly discouraged. There
are three fundamental bases on the polygraph test and
they are:
1. Mechanical Leg basic Premise
- polygraph is capable of making graphic record
containing reliable information regarding physiological
responses of the subject.
2. Physiological Leg basic Premise
- that among the physiological responses that may be
recorded are those that automatically occur only
following the stimulation of specific nervous component
system.
3. Psychological Leg Basic Premise
- states that specific nervous system component
whose stimulation can thus be diagnosed are so
stimulated by the involuntary and emotional processes of
the individual who is continuously attempting
concealment of deception especially if that individual has
something at stake and the prevailing circumstances
lead him to believe that exposure to deception is quite
possible although undesirable.
Definition of Terms
1. Admission
- is a statement of facts, partial acknowledgement of guilt
and usually given with some justification or
exemplification in admitting.
2. Confession
- direct acknowledgement of guilt or a statement of guilt.
3. Deception
- is the act of deceiving or misleading usually
accompanied by lying.
4. Diastolic blood pressure
- refers to the downward blood pressure representing the
low pressure to the closing of the valves and heart
relaxed.
5. Dicrotic notch
- refers to the short horizontal notch in a cardio-tracing
located at the middle of the diastolic stem.
6. Electrodermal response
- it refers to human body phenomenon in which the skin
changes resistance electrically upon the application of
certain external stimuli. Also referred to a Psycho galvanic
skin reflex or galvanic skin response.
7. Emotion
- it refers to an emotional response to specific danger
that appears to be beyond a person’s defensive power.
8. Environment
- is the sum total of the dissimulation that a person
acquired from the time he was conceived and his
exposure to his surroundings.
9. Heredity
- is the transmission of physical and mental traits of the
parents to their offspring through the genes.
10. Interview
- simple questioning of one who is willing and
cooperative.
11. Interrogation
- forceful questioning of a person who is reluctant to
divulge information.
12. Lying
- is the act of uttering or conveying falsehood or creating
a false or misleading impression with the intention of
affecting wrongfully.
13. Normal response
 LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
- refers to any activity or inhibition of a previous activity - not admissible in court to prove the guilt of the
of an organism or part of the organism resulting from subject.
stimulation. - cannot be conducted if insufficient amount of
information were gathered.
14. Ordeal - minors, mentally-ill or retarded are exempted.
- refers to the oldest form of crime detection done by - cannot be conducted to unfit subject.
subjecting a subject to an obstacle or trial and - polygraph machine is not a lie detector machine.
sometimes even involving third degree. - the accuracy of the machine is directly
proportion to the credibility of the
15. Specific response examiner.
- refers to the response given by the subject which - cannot be used for diagnostic purposes.
considered a deviation from the normal tracing or norms
of the subject. 2. Use of Alcoholic Beverages
- the subject is made to drink hard liquor in such a
16. Stimulus mount that would make him lose control or
- refers to any force or motion coming from the inhibitions.
environment and which reach an organism has the - information gathered through this method is not
tendency to arouse. admissible in court.

17. Systolic Blood pressure 3. Narco-Analysis Test/Administration of Truth

- the upward blood pressure as the apex of the curve Serum
caused by the contraction of the heart, valves are open - use of narcotic or anaesthetic drug.
and blood is rushing into the arteries. - drugs injected hypodermically or intravenously.
- dangerous and not admissible.
Ayur Vida
- a hindu book of science and health around 500B.C. 4. Word Association Test
Considered as an earliest known reference to a method - group of words, objects or photographs will be
of detecting deception. presented.
- time pressure.
Early Methods of Detecting Deception This was first devised by F. Galton in 1870 and
Trial by Combat later was modified and improved by others such as
One of the ancient practice of detecting deception Munsterberg, Orosland, Luria and Jung. In the
whereby an accuser will fight against the accused or will Galton’s technique there are two main criteria for
hire a champion to fight the accused in a duel, detecting indications of deception and these are: (1)
whosoever lost the duel, will be adjudged guilty. Incriminating answer words, and (2) Delayed
answer.
Methods of Ordeal
1. Red hot Iron Ordeal (Accused touch his tongue 5. Use of Hypnotism
to an extremely hot metal for nine (9) times.) - information gathered through this method is also
2. Boiling Water Ordeal (Practice by Borotso Native not admissible in court.
in Bengal India) -
3. Balance Ordeal Development of the Polygraph
4. Rice Chewing Ordeal
5. The red Water Ordeal A. Cardiosphygmograph
6. The Donkey’s tail ordeal a. Cesare Lombroso (1895) - Credited to be the first to
7. The ordeal of the axe etc. conceived the idea of utilizing scientific lie detection
b. Angelo Mosso (1895) - Utilized a scientific cradle and
Scientific Methods of Detecting Deception focus on the importance of fear as a strong influence to
1. Polygraphy test deception
- aid and not a substitute or replacement for c. William M. Marston (1915) - He made used of a
investigation. sphygmomanometer and focus on the importance of the
 LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
Systolic Blood pressure. He also devised the
discontinuous technique in questioning.
d. John A. Larson (1921) - Devised the so-called
“Bread Lie Detector”, a scientific instrument capable of
simultaneously recording changes in blood pressure,
pulse beat and respiration.
B. Galvanograph
a. Sticker - Works on the galvanograph component and
study the influence of the sweat glands to skin
resistance.
b. Veraguth - Formulated the term Psycho-galvanic skin
reflex following the study of sticker
c. Richard O. Arthur - The person who developed a
polygraph machine with two galvanic skin resistance.
C. Pneumograph
a. Vittorio Bennussi - Focus on the formulation of the
Inhalation and Exhalation ratio.
b. Harold Burtt - Considered respiration as a weak
basis in determining deception and incorporate the
systolic blood pressure to respiration.
D. Keymograph
Leonarde Keeler
- Developed the kymograph machine and the Keeler’s
Polygraph in the year 1926 as one of the great
advancement to the development of the polygraph
machine.
OTHER PERSONALITIES:
John E. Reid – Developed the Reid Polygraph with an
incorporation of muscular resistance ompare to the
Keelers and the Stoelting. Also developed the SAT test
and Control Question Test.
Francis Galton - Formulated the Word Association test.
Cleve Backster - Formulated the Numerical Scoring on
the polygraph chart and standardizing quantitative
polygraph technique.
Sir James Mackenzie - a heart specialist who published
in two British journal the machine he used in his work
and named it “INK POLYGRAPH”
The Major Components and its Parts:
The Polygraph machine is basically composed
of three major components serving as the detecting
mechanism and five major sections by adding
kymograph component and pen and inking system to
serve as the recording mechanism.
1. Pneumograph – designed to detect changes in
respiration of the subject consisting of the Chest and the
Abdominal Assembly with sub part:
a. Rubber Convulated Tube – a 10 inches
corrugated rubber attached to the body of the
subject.
b. Beaded Chain – used to lock the rubber
convulated tube.
c. Recording pen unit – consisting of two 5 inches
recording pen.
d. Resonance Control Unit
e. Centering knob
f. Sensitivity knob
2. Cardiosphygmograph – Designed to detect changes
in blood pressure and pulse beat of the subject
a. Blood pressure Cuff – attached to the upper
right arm of the subject, above the brachial
artery.
b. Sphygmomanometer – used to indicate the
amount of air pressure inflated to
the system. Usually about 60 mm of mercury for
male subject.
c. Resonance Control Unit
d. Recording pen unit – five (5) inches length
e. Air Pump – designed to supply air to the system
3. Galvanograph – to detect changes in skin resistance
of the subject.
a. Finger Electrode Assembly consists of:
1. finger electrode plate and retainer bond
- attached to the left index and ring finger
of the subject.
2. connecting plug – designed to attached
the system to the machine
b. Recording pen unit – usually 7 inches
c. Amplifier Unit – designed to support the
galvanometer in converting electrical to mechanical
current.
Kymograph – serves as the paper feed mechanism of
the polygraph machine. The one that records the
different trracing by driving the paper out under a
recording pen unit.
a. Chart – (approximately 100 ft.) rolled graph
paper composed of twelve division in one
minutes run designed to measure the rate of
various body functioning.
 LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
b. Cutter bar - used to cut the paper at the end of
the test
c. Rubber roller – the one responsible for pulling
the paper out of the machine.
d. Pen table - flat portion where the pen writes on
the chart.
e. Paper rail guide – serves as the security for the
unnecessary movement of the chart paper or to
ensure the paper’s forward movement without
shaking.
f. Synchronous motor - to run the chart paper at
the uniform rate speed regardless of the voltage
change.
Pen and inking system - the one that provides for the
permanent record of the test.
Stages in the Conduct of the Polygraph Test:
Initial Interview
Conducted by an investigator handling the case,
designed for the obtaining of pertinent information
necessary for the conduct of the test. This is falling short
of the basic process of investigation. All information
gathered by the investigator will be copied furnished to
the investigator. As a rule no polygraph test can be
conducted if there is insufficient amount of data
gathered.
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. There are four basic things being undertaken in
this stage.
a. Informing the subject of His Basic Constitutional
Rights
1. Right to remain silent
2. Right to be informed of the nature and the
cause of his accusation
3. Right to council
4. Right against self-incrimination
b. Taking of the subject consent
c. Taking of the subject personal data sheet
d. Determining the subject physical, mental and
psychological suitability to undergo the test
1. the subject should stop from smoking at
least 2 hours prior to the test
2. the subject should avoid taking drugs at
least 12 hrs before the test
3. the subject if female should not be:
pregnant, having menstruation or not
wearing tight shirt or girdle. d.4 the subject
should not be hungry
4. the subject should not be physically or
emotional abuse
5. the subject should not be highly nervous.
Etc.
2. Actual Test
Is the actual conduct of the test administered by
a polygraph examiner:
Condition of the room
1. It should be spacious for two
2. Well lighted
3. Well ventilated
4. Sound Proof
5. Not decorated
3. Post-test Interview or Interrogation
Is an interview or an interrogation administered by a
polygraph examiner after the test designed to obtain
confession or admission by the subject. An interview is
conducted when the subject indicates an innocent
response and very cooperative to the examiner. An
interrogation is conducted when the subject shows sign
of deception and being uncooperative to open an
information.
Types of Reaction
1. Internal Reaction – reaction of the internal organs
which may not be readily noticeable.
2. External Reaction – rreaction of an individual which
are observable and which can either be:
a. Facial
b. Postural
General Rules in formulating Test Questions:
1. Questions must be simple and direct
2. They must not involve legal terminologies
3. They must be as simple and as short as possible
4. Answerable by Yes or No.
5. They must not be in a form of accusatorial.
6. Their meaning must be clear and they must be
phrased in a language that the subject can easily
understand.
7. They must never contain inference which
presupposes knowledge on the part of the subject.
8. They must refer to one offense only
9. They must refer to one element of the offense.
10. They must not contain inference to one’s religion,
race or belief.
Types of Questions
1. Irrelevant
- questions pertaining to the basic background of the
subject and are generally not related to the case in
issue but are designed to obtain or established the
individual norms of the subject.
- answerable by “yes”.
- designed to absorb the initial response as to the
question sequence
 LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
- commence and to produce little or no emotion 4. Guilt Complex Test
change in the subjects normal reaction under - used primarily for overly responsive subjects.
testing condition - a totally fictitious incident but a similar nature to
2. Relevant the matter being investigated
- the primary of key questions asked by the examiner and make him believe it is real.
in order to resolve specific subject matter - The purpose is to compare the response with
- questions related to the issue which may either be: those response made concerning the actual
matter under investigation
a. Strong Relevant 5. Silent Answer test
- directly proving the guilt of the subject - Subject is instructed not to give any verbal
- questions with intense and specific relation to answer; the subject will only answer in his mind.
the crime or problem being considered. 6. Yes test
- Constructed to test for direct involvement only 7. No test
and specifically to produced emotional response 8. Guilt complex test
in guilty subject. 9. Mixed test
- consist essentially of an arrangement of the first
b. Weak Relevant and third test questioned.
- indirectly proving the guilt of the subject and is - administered response on earlier test or to
further sub-divided into three: compare the degree of reaction between
1. Knowledge – questions given for the relevant and control questions
purposes of determining information
known or the subject possess.
2. Evidence Connecting – designed to
obtain link between the subject and the
crime.
3. Sacrifice – questions designed to
determine truthfulness of the subject.

c. Control Questions
- questions that either relevant or irrelevant
designed to established response from an
innocent subject.
- further classified into primary based on a known
lie and secondary control question.

Types of Test
1. General Question Test
- consist of series of relevant and irrelevant
questions in a planned order.
2. 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 the after the relevant
questions.
3. Card 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.