Group 3

John Lawrence Pasion

Glydel Resurreccion
Kimwell Sydrick Maderazo
Aizel Ramos
Hace May Mendoza
Paolo Noblezala
Cedrick Pernia
Subject possible question before conducting Polygraph test

GENERAL PRE TEXT QUESTION

Personal Information Background Information

• What is your full name?
• What is your date of birth?
• Where do you currently reside?
• Have you ever been arrested or
convicted of a crime?
• Have you ever been involved in

Health and Lifestyle any illegal activities?

• Do you have any medical conditions that
might affect the test results?
• Are you currently taking any
medications?
 Specific Types of Polygraph Questions

Irrelevant Questions
⚬ These are neutral questions to establish baseline physiological responses.
⚬ Examples:
￭ Is your name [Your Name]?
￭ Are you sitting in a chair?
Relevant Questions
⚬ Directly related to the issue being investigated.
⚬ Examples:
￭ Did you steal the missing money from the office?
￭ Have you ever used illegal drugs while employed here?
General Tips for Taking a Polygraph Test
1.Be Honest: Answer questions truthfully; polygraph tests measure physiological
responses that may indicate stress associated with lying.
2.Stay Calm: Try to remain calm and composed; anxiety can sometimes affect the
results.
3.Understand the Process: Familiarize yourself with the test process to reduce anxiety.
4.Clarify Questions: If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification before
answering.
5.Consistent Responses: Maintain consistency in your responses, especially to control
questions.
The Significance of Polygraph Evidence in United States vs.
Piccinonna and State of New Mexico vs. Dorsey

Introduction
Polygraph tests, commonly referred to as lie detector tests, measure physiological responses
to determine whether an individual is being deceptive. The admissibility of polygraph
evidence in court has been a contentious issue, with varying standards across jurisdictions.
Two landmark cases that significantly influenced the legal landscape regarding polygraph
evidence are United States vs. Piccinonna and State of New Mexico vs. Dorsey. This case
study explores the details and significance of these cases.
United States vs. Piccinonna
Background:
• Year: 1989
• Court: Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• Defendant: Pasquale Piccinonna

Pasquale Piccinonna was implicated in a criminal case where he sought to use polygraph
results as evidence to support his innocence. The lower court rejected the admission of these
results, prompting an appeal to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
 Legal Question
The primary legal question was whether polygraph results should be admissible in
federal courts.
Ruling
The Eleventh Circuit ruled that polygraph evidence could be admissible under
specific conditions:
1.Stipulation by Both Parties: Both the prosecution and defense must agree to the
admissibility of the polygraph results before the test is conducted.
2.Use for Impeachment or Corroboration: Polygraph evidence could be used to
impeach or corroborate the testimony of a witness rather than as direct evidence
of guilt or innocence
State of New Mexico vs. Dorsey
Background:
• Year: 1979
• Court: New Mexico Supreme Court
• Defendant: Willie Dorsey
Willie Dorsey was involved in a criminal case and sought to admit
polygraph test results to bolster his defense. The trial court excluded
the polygraph evidence, leading to an appeal to the New Mexico
Supreme Court.
 Legal Question
The core legal issue was whether polygraph evidence should be
admitted in New Mexico state courts.
Ruling
The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in favor of admitting polygraph evidence
under certain conditions:
1.Qualified Examiners: The polygraph tests must be conducted by qualified and
experienced examiners.
2.Scientific Standards: The tests and their results must meet specific scientific
standards to ensure reliability and validity.
SIGNIFICANCE
• State-Level Impact: This decision had a significant impact on the
standards for admissibility of polygraph evidence in New Mexico,
setting a precedent for other state courts.

• Encouragement of Standardization: It encouraged the development

and adherence to standardized procedures and qualifications for
polygraph examiners.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF United
States vs. Piccinonna AND State of New
Mexico vs. Dorsey
Similarities:
• Both cases addressed the
admissibility of polygraph
evidence.
• They established specific
conditions under which
polygraph results could be
admitted in court.
Differences:
• Jurisdiction: United States vs. Piccinonna was a federal
case, whereas State of New Mexico vs. Dorsey was a state
case.
• Conditions for Admissibility: The conditions for
admissibility varied, with Piccinonna focusing on mutual
agreement and use for specific purposes, while Dorsey
emphasized qualifications and scientific standards.
Impact on Polygraphy
Legal Impact:
• Federal and State Jurisdictions: These cases influenced both federal and state courts'
approach to polygraph evidence, creating a more nuanced legal landscape.
• Case Law Development: They contributed to the development of case law regarding
the admissibility of scientific evidence.
Scientific and Public Perception:
• Controversy and Debate: Highlighted the ongoing controversy and debate over the
reliability and validity of polygraph tests.
• Influence on Public and Legal Views: Shaped public perception and the legal
community's views on the use of polygraphy in legal proceedings.
Thank You