POLYGRAPHY

(The Scientific Method

of Detecting Deception)

QUEST REVIEW CENTER

Bryan T. Yang, M.S. Justice

1
Polygraphy = the scientific method of
detecting deception with the aid or use
of a polygraph instrument.

Polygraph = a delicately engineered

instrument that simultaneously records
the changes in respiration, electrodermal
activity and cardiovascular activity.
Thomas Jefferson = firs person known who
used the term Polygraph to described
one of his inventions
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3
Definition of terms

 Admission = is a statement of facts, partial

acknowledgement of guilt and usually given with
some justification or exemplification in
admitting.
 Confession = direct acknowledgement of guilt
or a statement of guilt.
 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.
 Dicrotic notch = refers to the short horizontal
notch in a cardio-tracing located at the middle of
the diastolic stem.
 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.
5
 Emotion = it refers to an emotional response to
specific danger that appears to be beyond a
person’s defensive power.
 Environment = is the sum total of the
dissimulation that a person acquired from the
time he was conceived and his exposure to his
surroundings.
 Heredity = is the transmission of physical and
mental traits of the parents to their offspring
through the genes.

6
 Interview = simple questioning of one who is
willing and cooperative.
 Interrogation = forceful questioning of a
person who is reluctant to divulge information.
 Lying = is the act of uttering or conveying
falsehood or creating a false or misleading
impression with the intention of affecting
wrongfully.
 Normal response = refers to any activity or
inhibition of a previous activity of an organism
or part of the organism resulting from
stimulation. 7
 Ordeal = refers to the oldest form of crime
detection done by subjecting a subject to an
obstacle or trial and sometimes even involving
third degree.
 Specific response = refers to the response
given by the subject which considered a
deviation from the normal tracing or norms of
the subject.
 Stimulus = refers to any force or motion coming
from the environment and which reach an
organism has the tendency to arouse.
8
 Systolic Blood pressure = the upward blood
pressure as the apex of the curve caused by the
contraction of the heart, valves are open and
blood is rushing into the arteries.

 Ayur Vida = a hindu book of science and

health around 500B.C. Considered as an earliest
known reference to a method of detecting
deception.

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EARLY METHODS OF DETECTING DECEPTION
1. Trial by Combat = a method to settle
accusations in the absence of witnesses or a
confession, in which two parties in dispute
fought in single combat.

2. Trial by Ordeal = a judicial practiced by

which the guilt or innocence of the accused
is determined by subjecting them to an
unpleasant, usually dangerous experience or
in the present term would mean an
employment of “3rd degree”. The word
“ordeal” was derived from the Medieval
Latin word “Dei Indicum” which means “a
miraculous decision”.
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TYPES OF ORDEAL
1. Ordeal of Heat and Fire = in this test
the suspect walked a certain distance,
usually nine feet, over red-hot
plowshares or holding a red-hot iron.

2. Ordeal of Hot Water = this test requires

that the water had to be boiled, and the
depth from which the stone had to be
retrieved was up to the wrist for one
accusation, and up to the elbow for
three or more accusations.
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3. Ordeal of Boiling Oil = this ordeal was
practiced in villages of India and certain
parts of West Africa.
4. Red Hot Iron Ordeal = the accused will
be required to touch his tongue to an
extremely hot metal nine (9) times
(unless burned sooner), Once his tongue
is burned, he will be adjudged guilty. In
some country instead of hot iron, they
used a hot needle to tease the lips and
once the lips bleed it is an indication of
guilt.

12
5. Ordeal of Cold Water = this ordeal has
a precedent in the Code of Ur-Nammu
and the Code of Hammurabi under which
a man accused of sorcery was to be
submerged in a stream and acquitted if
he survived.

= in 16th and 17th centuries, ordeal by

water was associated with the witch-
hunts. Floating is an indication of
witchcraft.
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6. Ordeal of Rice Chewing = a method of
detecting deception whereby an accused
will be required to take rice (to clergy
bread or cheese).If the accused failed to
swallow even a single grain of
concentrated rice he/she will be
adjudged guilty.
7. Ordeal of Red Water (Food and Drink
Ordeal) = in this method the accused will
be required to run fast for twelve (12
hours), take a cap of rice and drink a
dark colored water (as much as one
gallon).
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8. Ordeal of the Cross = the accuse and
the accuser stood on either side of a
cross and stretched out their hands
horizontally. The one to first lower his
arms lost.

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10. The Test of the Candle = this ordeal
was used in Burma, the accuser and
accused were each given identical
candles and were lighted at the same
time. The candle that burns the longest
determines which the truth.
11. Donkey’s tail (Ash tail) Ordeal = a
method of ordeal where all accused
persons will be instructed to select a
cage with a donkey, using a donkey’s tail
they will strike the donkey and
whichever cries first will be adjudged
guilty.
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 IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF POLYGRAPH

Daniel Defoe = wrote and

essay entitled, “An
Effectual Scheme for the
Preventing of Street
Robberies and Suppressing
all other Disorders of the
Night”

17
Angelo Mosso = In 1878,
science came to the aid of
the truth seeker through
the research of an Italian
psychologist Angelo Mosso.
He made used of an
instrument called
plethysmograph in his
research on emotion and
fear and its influence on
the heart and respiration.
= developed a scientific
cradle
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Cesare Lombroso = In 1895, Cesare
Lombroso, an Italian Criminologist
and tutor of Angelo Mosso,
published the second edition of his
book entitled “L’Homme Criminel”
which he relates the used of
hydrosphygmograph during
interrogation of suspects. He called
it blood pressure pulse test.
= he is considered as the first person
to conceive the idea of lie detection
and the first to apply the technique
in actual criminal suspects

19
Francis Galton = in 1879,
introduced the Word
Association Test using
series of irrelevant
questions and relevant
question separated in
time.

20
B. Sticker = believed that the origin of the
galvanic skin phenomenon was under the
influence of the exciting mental
impressions and that the will has no
effect upon it.

= he made the earliest application of

psychogalvanometer to forensic
problems.

21
Sir James Mackenzie = an
English clinician and
cardiologist, constructed
the Clinical Polygraph in
1892, an instrument to be
used for medical
examinations with the
capability to simultaneously
record undulated line
tracings of the vascular
pulses (radial, venous and
arterial), by way of a stylus
onto a revolving drum of
smoked paper.
22
In 1906, Sir James Mackenzie refined his
clinical polygraph of 1892 when he
devised the Clinical Ink Polygraph with
the help of Lancashire watchmaker,
Sebastian Shaw. This instrument used a
clockwork mechanism for the paper-
rolling and time-marker movements and
it produced ink recordings of
physiological functions that were easier
to acquire and to interpret.

23
S. Veraguth = he is said to be the first
person to use the term Psychogalvanic
Reflex. Veraguth was the first scientist
to use the word association test with
galvanometer.

= in 1907, he described his observation

on galvanic phenomena and emotions
that there was an ascending
galvanometer curve during the
presentation of relevant stimuli versus
the rest curve on non-crucial stimuli.
24
Vittorio Benussi = in March 1913, he
presented a paper before the second
meeting of the Italian Society for
Psychology in Rome where he described
how he record the subject’s breathing
patter using a Marey Pneumograph which
he noted the changes in inspiration-
expiration ratio during deception.
= he also included recording of heart
rate and blood pressure curve in
detection of deception and probably the
first person to record more than one
physiological response.
25
Dr. William M. Marston = in 1915 was
credited as the creator of the systolic
blood-pressure test used in an attempt to
detect deception during questioning, and
using a standard blood pressure cuff and
stethescope, requiring repeated inflation
of the pressure cuff to obtain readings at
intervals during examination. This was
called Discontinuous Technique.

26
Harold Burtt = In 1918, Burtt suggested
that the changes in respiration were an
indication of deception.

= He was able to determine that the

changes in respiration were of less value
in the detection of deception than the
changes in blood pressure

27
John A. Larson = encouraged by August
Vollmer of the Berkeley Policwe
Department to conduct a research on
deception.

= Cardio-Pneumo Psychogram was

Larson’s first instrument which was
borrowed from Dr. Robert Jessel and
was invented by Earl Bryant

28
= in 1921, Earl Bryant made an instrument for
Larson in which he used a breadboard as a base
and from that it became in the industry as
Breadboard Polygraph – capable of recording
continually and simultaneously the respiration
and cardiovascular activities.
= today he is known as the Father of Scientific
Lie Detection and at the same time the Father
of Polygraph

29
Leonarde Keeler = in
1926, he made a
modification of
Larson’s instrument.
He developed that
metal bellows and
kymograph that pulled
a chart paper at a
constant speed under
recording pens from a
roll of chart located
inside the instrument.
30
= in 1938, 1938, Keeler included the
Psychogalvanometer (PGR), a third
measuring component of his instrument
which was also known as Galvanic Skin
Reflex (GSR) invented by Italian
Physiologist Galvani in 1791.
= credited as the creator on Relevant-
Irrelevant Technique.
= today Keeler is known as the Father of
Modern Polygraphy.

31
Ruckmick = in 1936, the term
Psychogalvanic Reflex used by Veraguth
was repudiated by Ruckmick and
proposed the term Electrodermal
Response.

32
John E. Reid = in 1950, he developed the
Control Question which consist of a
known lie and incorporated it into the
relevant/irrelevant technique.
= he developed a movement or activity
sensor a means of recording arm and leg
movements
= Reid also developed the silent answer
test and guilt-complex test to be
administered to overly responsive
examinee
33
Cleve Backster = developed the
psychological set theory and the
anticlimax dampening concept.

= he also developed and introduced the

Quantification System of Chart
Analysis (Numerical Scoring) which
permits the examiner to score the charts
numerically according to standard rules.

34
Richard O. Arther = introduced the Arther
II polygraph instrument which contains a
stimulus marker capable of recording the
beginning and ending of question and the
moment the examinee answered.
= credited as the creator of Stimulus
Marker
= developed an instrument with two
Galvanic Skin Resistance

35
Computerized Polygraph Instrument = in
1992, the polygraph made its official
entrance into the computer age

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TRIPOD FOUNDATION OF POLYGRAPHY
1. Psychological Leg 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.
37
2. Physiological Leg 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. Mechanical Leg Premise = polygraph is

capable of making graphic record containing
reliable information regarding physiological
responses of the subject.

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PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY OF LYING

The Central Nervous System (CNS) = is

composed of the brain and the spinal
cord. All other nerve ways are within the
peripheral nervous system which
separates into two: The Somatic Nervous
System and the Autonomic Nervous
System.

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40
1. Somatic Nervous System = is involved
with voluntary comparative over skeletal
muscles

2. Autonomic Nervous System = involved

those involuntary physiological functions
of the body and has considerable
psychological impact as well.

41
1. Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
= the house keeping or braking system. It
is responsible for conserving energy and
making sure necessary bodily functions. I
= restrains sympathetic arousal and
attempt to maintain homeostatic
(homeostasis) normal.

2. Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – is

our emergency, or action system.
= a system which causes the sudden and
dramatic change.
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43
Homeostasis = is complex interactive
regulatory system by which the body strives
to maintain a state of internal equilibrium.
Hypothalamus = is a series of groups of nerve
cells of the brain that control the entire
endocrine-hormonal system.
Fight, flight, freeze = are the three
stereotypic behavioral responses to threat,
sometimes simply called F3. The
physiological responses concomitant to
these behaviors are the same, namely
mobilizing bodily resources for an
expenditure of energy, and narrowing
attention and focus to the features of the
threat.
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 When the sympathetic nervous system
is activated, it immediately prepares the
body for fight or flight by causing the
adrenal glands to secret hormones known
as epinephrine and norepinephrine and
the blood will be distributed to those
areas of the body where it is most
needed to meet the emergency.

45
Epinephrine = is the hormonal stimulator
of the sympathetic nervous system. It
acts to constrict peripheral blood flow,
raise blood pressure, increase cardiac
activity, promote metabolic activity
through the release of glucose, and
inhibit digestive processes.

= it is called Adrenaline in British

46
Norepinephrine = is a hormone secreted
by the adrenal gland, it works alongside
with epinephrine/adrenaline to give the
body sudden energy in times of stress,
known as the "fight or flight" response.

=it is called Noradrenaline in British.

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KINDS OF LIAR

1. Panic Liar = a person who lies to avoid the

consequences of certain actions

2. Occupational Liar = is a practical liar and

usually lies when there is a higher pay off than
telling the truth

3. Tournament Liar = a person who loves to lie

and is excited by the challenge of not being
detected 48
4. Ethnological Liar = person who is trained not
to be squealer. This person loves to be
interrogated and has taken the creed that he will
never reveal the truth, usually the creed of the
underworld gang

5. Psychopathic Liar = a liar that shows no

regret for his dishonest actions and no
manifestations of guilt. Most difficult type of liar
to deal with because such is a good actor

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6. Pathological Liar = a person who cannot
distinguish between right and wrong.

7. Black Liar = a person who always pretend

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TYPES OF LIE
 Lie of Fabrication – is something made up or a
misrepresentation of a truth. It is often used by
the subject in an interview.

 Lie of Omission – a lie used by omitting an

important fact, deliberately leaving another
person with a misconception.

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 Noble Lie – is one that would normally discord
if uncovered but offers some benefit to the liar
and assists in an orderly society therefore
potentially beneficial to others.

 Puffery Lie – is an exaggerated claim typically

found in advertising and publicity
announcements. For example, “the highest
quality at the lowest price.” Such statement is
unlikely to be true but cannot be proven false
and so do not violate trade laws.
52
 Lie of Compliment or False Reassurance – a
lie intended to please others. For example, “that
looks good to you” or “everything is going to be
alright.”

 White Lie – a lie that would cause only

relatively minor discord if it were uncovered and
typically offers some benefit to the hearer. It is
often used to maintain harmony of friendship
in the home or in the office.

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 Red Lie – a lie used to destroy the ideologies by
means of propaganda which is common in communist
countries.

 Malicious Lie – a lie usually used to mislead or

a dishonesty intended to obstruct justice.

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MAJOR COMPONENTS OF POLYGRAPH
1. Pneumograph = designed to detect and
record changes in respiration of the subject
which consists of the ff:
 Rubber Convoluted Tube = about 10
inches corrugated rubber attached to the
body of the subject.
 Beaded Chain = used to lock the rubber
convoluted tube.
 Recording Pen Unit = consisting of two 5
inches recording pen
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 Centering Knob = used to center the
pen
 Sensitivity Knob = used to adjust the
desired size of tracings
 Vent = used to release excess pressure
from the system
 Pneumo Module = located inside the
instrument that receives the reactions
detected by the corrugated tube and
moves the pen to record the reactions
on the chart
56
Convoluted Rubber Tube
with Beaded Chain
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58
2. Cardiosphygmograph = Designed to
detect changes in the cardiovascular
activity of the subject. It consists of:

a. Blood Pressure Cuff = attached to the

upper right arm of the subject,
above the brachial artery.
b. Sphygmamonometer = used to
indicate the amount of air pressure
inflated to the system. Usually about
60 mm of mercury for male subject.
59
c. Recording Pen Unit = five (5) inches length
d. Air Pump/Pump Bulb = designed to supply
air to the system
e. Cardio Module = located inside the
instrument that receives the reactions
detected by the cuff and moves the pen to
record the reactions on the chart
f. Sensitivity Control = used to adjust the
desired size of tracings
g. Centering Control = designed to center the
pen on the chart
h. Vent = Used to release excess pressure from
the system 60
Arm Cuff Pump Bulb
61
Cardiosphygmograph provides a record of the
following:
1. Relative Blood Volume/Pressure = is the changes in
the average value of the cardio tracing (waveform)
with respect to a baseline.
a. Diastolic Blood Pressure = refers to the
downward blood pressure representing the low
pressure to the closing of the valves and heart
relaxed.
b. Systolic Blood Pressure = the upward blood
pressure as the apex of the curve caused by the
contraction of the heart, valves are open and blood is
rushing into the arteries.
62
2. Pulse Amplitude = is the changes in
pulse amplitude (tracing height)
independent of baseline.
3. Pulse Rate = changes in heart rate or
time between pulses.
4. Dicrotic Notch = changes in relative
position of the dicrotic notch or pulse
waveform
= short horizontal notch in a cardio-
tracing located at the middle of the
diastolic stem
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64
3. Galvanograph = designed to detect
changes in skin resistance of the subject.
Consists of:

a. Finger Electrode Assembly consists of:

a.1 finger Electrode Plate and Retainer
Bond = attached to the index and ring
finger of the subject.
a.2 Connecting Plug = attached the
system to the instrument

65
b. Recording Pen Unit = usually 7 inches
c. Amplifier Unit = designed to support the
galvanometer in converting electrical to
mechanical current.
d. Sensitivity Control = used to adjust the
desired size of tracings
e. Centering Control = designed to center
the pen on the chart
f. GSR Module = located inside the
instrument that receives the reactions
detected by the finger electrodes and
moves the pen to record the reactions on
the chart
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Finger Electrode Assembly

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How does it Records?

Galvanic Skin Response = is the change

in the body’s resistance to the passage of a
minute electrical sensing current.

The electrodes electrically connect the

subject to the instrument. These provide a
5 microamp sensing current to the
subject, far below the threshold of feeling.

68
69
Keymograph = serves as the paper feed
mechanism of the polygraph machine
= It is a motor that pulls or drives the
cart paper under the recording pen
simultaneously at the rate of five
seconds per vertical chart division or
twelve divisions in one minute run.
a. Cutter Bar = used to cut the paper at
the end of the test

70
b. Rubber Roller = the one responsible for
pulling the paper out of the machine.
c. Pen Table = flat portion where the pen
write on the chart.
d. 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.
e. Synchronous Motor = runs the chart
paper at the uniform rate speed regardless
of the voltage change.
71
Pen and Inking System = the one that
provides for the permanent record of
the test

Capillary Ink = a water based ink

intended for polygraph instruments

Chart = approximately 100 ft. rolled graph

paper with approximately ¼ inch
horizontal division and ½ inch vertical
division equivalent to 5 seconds run
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FORMULATION OF TEST QUESTIONS
General Rules in formulating Test
Questions:
 Questions must be simple and direct
 They must not involve legal
terminologies
 They must be as simple and as short as
possible
 Answerable by Yes or No.
 They must not be in a form of
accusatorial.

73
 Their meaning must be clear and they
must be phrased in a language that the
subject can easily understand.
 They must never contain inference which
presupposes knowledge on the part of
the subject.
 They must refer to one offense only
 They must refer to one element of the
offense.
 They must not contain inference to ones
religion, race or belief.
74
1. Irrelevant Question = a question that
has no connection with the matter under
investigation and deals with known facts
that the subject cannot be denied. It is
designed to be emotionally neutral to
examinees and usually answerable by
“yes’. Also called Neutral Question.

75
Characteristics of Irrelevant
1. It has no connection to the matter under
investigation.
2.No threat to subject (usually).
3. Neither innocent nor guilty suspects
have reason to lie.
4. Usually about the suspect’s background.
5. Generally used at the beginning of
polygraph technique to establish a
‘norm’ for examinee, or throughout the
examination as needed to reestablish
norm pattern.
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Purposes of Irrelevant Question
1. Establish the professional authority in
the room that means, the examiner asks
questions and the suspect answers.
2. It allows the examiner to assess the
subject’s normal behavior for this
heightened emotional situation.
3. Allows the examiner to identify
something he has in common with the
subject, to establish rapport.
4. It minimizes resistance.
77
2. Symptomatic Question = is designed to
ensure that the examiner will not ask un-
reviewed questions or that the examinee
is not afraid that the examiner will ask
un-reviewed questions.
Examples:
 Do you believe me when I promised not
to ask a question in this test I have not
gone over word for word?
 Even though I promised I would not, are
you afraid I will ask a question in this
test I have not gone over word for word?
78
3. Sacrifice Relevant Question = it
introduces the relevant question to the
subject
= designed to absorb the response
generated by the introduction of
relevant question in the series

Example:
 Regarding the (matter under
investigation), are you willing to answer
the questions truthfully?
79
4. Relevant Question = a question deals
with the matter under investigation.
Color coded red in computerized
instruments. It is designed to generate
reactions from deceptive subject.

80
Types of Relevant Question

a. Primary Relevant (Strong Relevant) =

addresses the primary issue or direct
involvement of the subject on the matter
under question. It is use primarily with
the single-issue examination.

 Ex. Did you take that missing money?

81
b. Secondary Relevant (Weak Relevant) =
deals with the physical acts that support
the primary issue. This is usually use in
multi-issue examination.

 Ex. Did you participate in the theft of

that missing money?

82
c. Guilty Knowledge = designed to probe
whether the subject possesses
information regarding the identity of the
offender or the facts of the case under
question.

 Ex. Do you know who took that missing

money?

83
d. Evidence Connecting Question = test
question in which the examinee is asked
about a particular piece of physical
evidence that would incriminate the
guilty person. It could be items left at
the crime scene by the perpetrator or
stolen property.

 Ex. Do you know where any of that

missing money is right now?

84
5. Comparison Question = a question
which is the same in nature with that of
the relevant question but broad in scope.
= is used for comparative purposes with
the relevant question.
= designed to generate reactions from
truthful subject.

85
Types of Comparison Question
a. Directed Lie Comparison Question
(DLC) = a comparison question in which
the examinee is instructed by the
examiner to answer the questions
untruthfully.

Some examiners actually get

admission to comparison questions and
then instruct the examinee to lie to that
question when it is asked.
86
b. Probable Lie Comparison Question
(PLC) = a question to which it is likely
that the examinee is untruthful with his
answer.

= PLC questions are broad in scope and

usually based on actions categorically
similar to that of the issue under
investigation

87
Types of Probable Lie

a. Inclusive = a comparison question

which include the relevant time period
under investigation. It was originally
designed by Reid.
= this type of question usually starts with
the phrase: “In your entire life,…..”. Also
termed as inclusionary.

88
b. Exclusive = a comparison question separated
in time, place and category from the
relevant question. It was introduced by Cleve
Backster. He believes that this prevents the
guilty suspect from perceiving the comparison
question as an ambiguous relevant question.
Example:
 During the first __ years of your life, did you
ever ____?
 Prior to 2009, did you ever _____ ?
 While in college ______?
 Between the ages of __ & __, did you ever
_____? 89
Types of Polygraph Technique/Test

1.General Question Test = consist of

series of relevant, irrelevant control
questions in a planned order. Developed
by John E. Reid
2. Relevant/Irrelevant Test = consists
primarily of series of irrelevant
questions and relevant question
pertaining to the crime under
investigation. Developed by Keeler.
90
3. 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 and after the
relevant questions.

91
4. Card test / Acquaintance Test /
Stimulation 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.
92
5. Guilt Complex Test = used primarily for
overly responsive subjects.
= a totally fictitious incident but a similar
nature to the matter being investigated and
make him believe it is real.
= The purpose is to compare the response
with those response made concerning the
actual matter under investigation

6. Silent Answer test = Subject is instructed

not to give any verbal answer, the subject
will only answer in his mind.
93
7. Comparison Question Test (CQT) = the
reactions on the control and relevant
questions are compared via numerical
scoring

94
95
Polygraph Examiner = is one who is
capable of detecting deception and
verifying the truthfulness of statement
through the use of a polygraph
instrument.
= is someone who has successfully
completed formal education and training
in conducting polygraph examination and
is certified by his agency to conduct such
examination.
Subject = is any person who undergoes
polygraph examination.
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Polygraph Examination = a process that
encompasses all activities that take
place between a polygraph examiner and
an examinee during a specific series of
interactions. For a valid polygraph
examination to exist, respiration, EDA,
and Cardiovascular activity must be
monitored and recorded.

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Two Types of Polygraph Exam

1. Mixed Issue Exam = multiple-issue

polygraph testing like screening of
applicants or audit of employees or
persons with security clearances.

2. Diagnostic Exam = a test which involves

specific case investigation.

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Types of Diagnostic Exam

1.Single Issue Exam = a test which

inquires direct involvement of subject
into a specific case under question.

2.Mult-facet Exam = test format in which

the relevant questions are targeted
toward different elements of the same
crime.

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Stages in the Conduct of the Polygraph
Test
 Initial Interview With the Investigator

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

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a. Determining the subject physical,
mental and psychological suitability to
undergo the test
a.1. the subject should avoid taking
drugs at least 12 hrs before the test
a.2. the subject if female should not
be pregnant
a.3. the subject should not be hungry
a.4. the subject should not be
physically or emotional abuse
a.5. the subject should not be
suffering high blood or hypertension.
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b. Informing the subject of his
Constitutional Rights (if the examiner is
a law enforcement officer)
c. Taking of the subject consent
d. Taking of the subject personal data
e. Discuss with the subject the crime/issue
under investigation
f. Preparing the subject for the test –
administration of stimulation test

102
2. ln-Test (Actual Test) = is the actual
conduct of the test administered by a
polygraph examiner

Conditions of the Room

 It should be spacious for two persons

 Well lighted

 Well ventilated

 Sound Proof

 Not decorated

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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.
= interview is conducted when the
reactions indicate an innocent response
and very cooperative to the examiner.
= interrogation is conducted when the
reactions show sign of deception and
being uncooperative to open an
information.
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Chart markings = are annotations of the
physiologic tracings to denote stimulus
(question) onset and offset, examinee’s
answer, question number, question label,
artifacts, and other details important to
the interpretation of the physiological
data.

105
Two Types Chart Markings
 Primary Markings = these are markings
which indicate the beginning and end of
examination as well as the questions and
answers of the subject. These are usually
placed at the bottom or top of the
polygraph chart
 Secondary Markings = are markings
which are placed only if the examinee
does something which will cause the
physiological tracings to distort. These
markings are usually placed below the
affected tracing.
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107
INTERPRETATION OF POLYGRAPH DATA
Important Terms to Consider
 Analysis Spot = The relevant and control
questions that are actually evaluated
during spot analysis.

 Artifact = A change in an examinee’s

physiological pattern that is not
attributable to a reviewed test question.
It includes examinee’s movements during
the examination.
108
 Blind chart Analysis = Evaluation of PDD
recordings without the benefit of
extrapolygraphic information, such as
subject behavior, case facts, pretest
admissions, base rates of deception, etc

 Deception Indicated (DI) = A decision of

DI in PDD means that (1) the
physiological data are stable and
interpretable, and (2) the evaluation
criteria used by the examiner led him to
conclude that the examinee is not wholly
truthful to the relevant issue.
109
 Exosomatic = Something generated from
outside the body. Skin resistance is
exosomatic measures because electrical
current is applied from outside sources
to detect the electrodermal activity.
 EDA Recovery Phase = The physiological
activity displayed in an EDA tracing that
occurs between the highest peak and
subsequent return to the pre-stimulus or
newly established baseline. The EDA
recovery phase begins once the tracing
ahs reached its highest peak.

110
 EDA Rise Time = The physiological
activity displayed in an EDA tracing
beginning with response onset and
ending at the peak.

 No Deception Indicated (NDI) = is a

conventional term in PDD, NDI signifies
that the polygraph test recordings are
stable and interpretable and the
evaluation criteria used by the examiner
led him to conclude that the examinee
was truthful to the relevant issue.
111
 Test Data = The signal of interest that
may consist of artifacts, recovery or
examinee’s physiological response to
stimuli.

 Test Data Analysis = Analysis of the

psychohysiological response activity
(time) displayed between response
onset. Typically, this is the time from
response onset until return to the pre-
stimulus (phasic response) or a newly
established baseline (tonic) response.
112
 Recovery = A deviation in polygraph
tracing attributable to a physiological
phenomenon occurring as a
compensatory action after a response or
an artifact.

 Response = A physiological change that

occurs following, and is attributable to
the presentation of applied stimulus.

113
 Phasic Response = A known origin
response to a specific stimulus that is
generally seen as an upward movement
from the baseline with subsequent
return to the pre-stimulus or original
baseline.
 Tonic Response = A known origin
response to a specific stimulus that is
generally seen as a movement from the
pre-stimulus baseline and establishment
of a new baseline without returning to
the pre-stimulus baseline.

114
 Response Amplitude = The displayed
physiological activity reflected in a
polygraph tracing occurring between
response onset and response peak
(highest level from pre-stimulus
baseline).
 Response Duration = The physiological
activity (time) displayed between
response onset and offset. Typically, this
is the time from response onset until
return to the pre-stimulus baseline
(phasic response) or a newly established
baseline (tonic response).
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 Response Latency = The time between
stimulus onset and response onset.
 Response Onset = The first indication of
change from the pre-stimulus level of
physiological activity to an applied stimulus.
 Response Onset Window = The period of time
between stimulus onset (verbal presentation
of question) and an examinee’s verbal answer
to that stimulus.
 Spot Analysis = The procedure wherein each
component tracing is separately evaluated by
comparing the response of a relevant question
to the response of a comparison question.
116
 Stimulus Onset = It is the beginning of the
presentation of the first word of a
question.
 Tonic Level = It describes the examinee’s
physiological response when resting. An
examinee’s level of physiological activity
occurring prior to stimulus onset. This is
sometimes referred to as the resting or
baseline activity level.
 Zone = A concept coined by Cleve Backster.
A zone is a twenty to thirty-five seconds
block of polygraph chart time initiated by a
question having a unique psychological
focusing appeal to a predictable group of
examinees
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Two types of Chart Interpretation
 Global Analysis
 Numerical Scoring
 Manual Numerical Scoring
 Computer Scoring Algorithm

GLOBAL ANALYSIS
In global analysis, the examiner looks
for significant reactions that occur
repeatedly which is referred to as
“Conspecnificance”. Conspecnificance is
the consistency of reaction to a specific
question with significant magnitude
118
 NUMERICAL SCORING
The numerical scoring is a method of
rendering polygraph decisions that are
based exclusively on numeric values that
have been assigned to physiological
responses recorded during a structured
polygraph examination

119
ELEMENTS OF SCORING SYSTEM

1. Reaction Features = are raw

physiological data that a polygraph
examiner should look into the polygraph
chart for numerical interpretation. It can
be scored using the seven position or
three position rules. Only reactions on
the relevant and comparison questions
are scored during interpretation.

120
2. Transformations = In transforming
physiological data, combine observations of
reactions to relevant and control stimulus into
a single value for each component and for each
presentation of each of the target stimuli.
 Red questions (relevant) are compared to
Green question (control)
 Assign a - score when there is a larger response
to a relevant question
 Assign a + score when there is a larger
response to a control question
 Different scoring systems used different scoring
rules in assigning numerical value to particular
reaction features on the relevant and
comparison questions. 121
122
123
124
3. Decision Rules = determines when data
meet the criteria for inclusion in a
particular category.
= final step in polygraph numerical
scoring, producing decisions of Deception
Indicated, No Deception Indicated, and
Inconclusive.
= artifacts such as deep breaths, coughs,
movements, and physiological
abnormalities (premature ventricular
contractions) affect the quality of
tracings for scoring. All these should not
be scored.
125
ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY
OF POLYGRAPH RESULTS

 Accuracy = the condition or quality of being true,

correct, or exact

 = refers to validity (state or quality of being well

founded).

126
Reliability = refers to stability or
consistency of measurement. Reliability
studies in PDD often examine the rate of
decision agreement among examiners on
polygraph test charts.

Two Types of Reliability

1. Interrater reliability = denotes
agreement among examiners

127
2. Intrarater agreement (test-retest
reliability) = pertains to an examiner
agreement with his own decisions when
evaluating the charts on different
occasions.
Note:
Reliability is not the same as validity,
which means accuracy. A technique
cannot be more valid than it is reliable.
A technique can have high agreement
without high accuracy, though the
reverse is not true.
128
Goals of Polygraph Testing

 Sensitivity = Ability to detect or notice

the issue.

 Specificity = Ability to reject non-

involved cases.

129
Threshold of Accuracy According to
American Society for Testing Materials
(ASTM)
 Ninety (90) Percent = for evidentiary
polygraph examinations. Evidentiary
polygraph examinations are those
conducted specifically for courtroom
purposes.
 Eighty (80) Percent = for investigative
polygraph examination. Investigative
polygraph examinations are used for non-
judicial purposes.
 Both evidentiary and investigative
examinations are permitted to an
inconclusive rate of twenty (20) percent.
130
Result Errors
 False Negative = refers to the failure to
detect the presence of a particular event or
item.
= in polygraphy refers to the incorrect
decision that deception was not practiced
by the examinee.
 False Positive = is the false detection of
something that is not actually present. In
polygraphy
= it is the incorrect decision that deception
was practiced by the examinee.
131
Admissibility of Result
In the Philippines, polygraph results
are not admitted as evidence. Many
polygraph examiners and lawyers have
attempted presenting polygraph
evidence in court but all resulted to
futile.

132
Philippines
 Rule 130 section 49 of the Rules on
Evidence provides that:
“The opinion of a witness on matter
requiring special knowledge, skill,
experience or training which he shown to
posses, may be received in evidence.”

133
 U.S. United States v. Frye – 1923 – NOT
ADMITTED AS EVIDENCE (First case in
Polygraphy)

 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals -

1993
Areas of Inquiry:
 the theory or technique in question can be (and
has been) tested;
 whether it has been subjected to peer review and
publication;
 its known or potential error rate;
 the existence and maintenance of standards
controlling its operation; and
 whether it has attracted widespread acceptance
within a relevant scientific community.
134
 In New Mexico, the Supreme Court, in
State v. Dorsey in 1973, ruled that:

“Polygraph results are admissible as

long as (1) the polygraph operator is
competent, (2) the procedure used is
reliable, and (3) the “tests made on the
subject” are valid.”

135
In 1983, New Mexico then codified the
admissibility of polygraph results with
Rules of Evidence, which states that:
"Subject to the provisions of these
rules, the opinion of a polygraph
examiner may in the discretion of the
trial judge be admitted as evidence as to
the truthfulness of any person called as a
witness if the examination was
performed by a person who is qualified
as an expert polygraph examiner.”
136
 Thank You….GOODLUCK!!!

QUEST REVIEW CENTER

Bryan T. Yang, M.S. Justice

Polygraph Examiner
Professor
137