Chapter 4: THE MODERN

POLYGRAPH
INSTRUMENT
polygraph
• “polygraph” was derived from Greek words poly means “many” and
grapho which means “to engrave or write”.
• A device that monitors and records respiratory, electrodermal,
cardiovascular, and vasomotor examination through the sensors
attached on the particular parts of the human body.
Major parts of
conventional polygraph
1. The Pneumograph Channel – design to measure thoracic and
abdominal breathing pattern.
Pneumatic Sensor - made of corrugated rubber tube attached to the
thorax or chest and abdomen of the subject, devised to transmit
breathing pattern to the pneumo channel of the instrument.
2. The EDA Channel – ( old term = Galvanic Skin Response) a polygraph component that is responsible for
the recording of the skin resistance and conductance on a chart.
Skin Resistance - the opposition of the skin to the passage of an electric current used in research as a
physiological marker of arousal, and more controversially in polygraph examinations as a manifestation
of deception and various emotional states, skin resistance is the reciprocal of skin conductance.
Skin Conductance - the degree to which the skin transmits a small electric current between two electrodes,
changes in which are typically used to measure a person’s level of arousal or energy mobilization. The
mechanism of skin conductance is not fully known: It seems to be related to the electrical activity of
sweat glands but not to sweating itself
Galvanic Skin Response - a change in the electrical properties (conductance or resistance) of the skin in
reaction to stimuli, owing to the activity of sweat glands located in the fingers and palms. Though strictly
an indication of physiological arousal, the galvanic skin response is widely considered a reflection of
emotional arousal and stress as well.
3. The Cardio Channel – a polygraph channel that monitors relative
blood pressure changes and pulse wave using a blood pressure cuff.
Tracing are recorded by wrapping a pneumatic cuff around the arm of
an examinee. Subjects blood pulsations causes pressure in the cuff
system to rise and fall when the blood pressure increases or
decreases. The changes in the blood pressure causes the pen to rise
and drop.
4. The Cardio Activity Monitor – (one of the
advanced features used in polygraph
examination) a sensitive but rugged surface
capable to detect changes in distal blood volume
thru the use of small strain gauge sensors
attached to a metal diaphragm. Can be used as a
supplement or an alternative to cardio.
5. The Kymograph – a mechanism that drives the
polygraph chart on a specific speed per minute
(6 inches per minute)