THE POLYGRAPH INSTRUMENT

The instrument used in the proper application of the polygraph technique is essentially a pneumatically operated mechanical
recorder of changes in respiration, blood pressure/pulse heat supplemented with a unit for recording galvanic skin reflexes, or an
additional unit for recording abdominal respiration; muscular movements and pressures; or a plethymograph for recording changes
in blood oxygenation. Attachments for the human body comprises of a rubber convoluted tube for the chest area, a blood pressure
arm-cuff on one bicep, and, in some models, an electrode on two fingers or on the palmer side of one hand. These attachments
act as the detectors of the physiological changes and transmit the same to the instrument where it is connected into mechanical
impulses and transformed into tracings of the respiration, blood pressure and skin resistance or the likes.

How Does the Polygraph Instrument Work?

The polygraph simultaneously records various physiological phenomena by means a horizontal kymograph. The resulting Polygram
indicates tracing of external respiration in the thoracic and abdominal cavities by means of a pneumograph tambour assembly,
systolic and diastolic contraction of the heart, as well as pulse fluctuations with the resistance of a phygmonometer and psycho-
galvanic skin response by means of instrument connected electronics sensors fixed to the person. Each phenomenon is recorded
by a hallow-tube ink styles moving across horizontally and vertically ruled being driven by a synchronous electronic motor.

What are the Major Components of the Polygraph?

A. Pneumograph – this occupy the two/upper pens of the instrument which records the thoracic and abdominal breathing
patterns of respiration. This is accomplished through the use of a pneumograph consisting of two hollow corrugated tubes
about seven inches in length, each attached to a unit by a rubber hose not longer than six feet and not larger than one
quarter inch in diameter. This breathing or pneumo unit is a low pressure unit. The inhalation/exhalation of the subject
causes the tubes to expand and contract, thereby reflecting the change through billows to the pen into the chart.
B. Galvanometer – this is the longest and the third pen of the instrument. The electrodes are attached to the index finger
and the ring finger of the left hand, or to the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the left hand. The electrodes used for obtaining
the recording of the GSR or electro-dermal responses, are fastened to the hand or finger by means of the passage of an
imperceptible amount of electrical current through the hand or finger bearing the attached electrodes, a galvanometer unit
provides recording of the variation in the flow of the electrical current.
C. Cardiosphymograph – this is the fourth and the bottom pen of the instrument. This cardio unit is a mechanically operated
unit. It is a high pressure system. This system records changes in mean blood pressure, rate and strength of pulse beat
by means of a medical blood pressure cuff containing a rubber bladder that is wrapped around the upper arm, in a manner
that places the bladder against the brachial artery. The bladder is connected to the rubber hose, past a pressure indicating
gauge to a very sensitive billows and its connected lever system that powers the pen. The polygraphist inflates the
bladder with a hand pump to a constant air pressure that will provide tracing amplitude of 0.75 to 1 inch with a dichotic
notch situated about the middle of the diastolic limb of the tracing.
D. Kymograph – This is the chart recording unit of the instrument. It has a synchronized motor that drives the charts at the
rate of six inches per minute and its speed constant is vital because the vertical lines, which are spaced either at one-half
or one inch interval, represents five or ten seconds interval on the chart. This provides the polygraphist with a means of
determining pulse rate and question spacing.

What are the Detachable Parts and Accessories?

1.KYMOGRAPH or chart driving mechanism:

a) Chart roll arbor - Idler roller - Pen table - Paper guides - Sprocket roller - Cutter bar - Off and on power switch
- Synchronous motor
2.Pen and Inking System:
a) Capillary pen
b) Ink well plates
c) Ink dropper
d) Cuct bill
3.Pneumograph section:
a) Rubber jellows
b) Beaded chain
c) Rubber flexible tubing
d) Pneumograph tube connection
e) Pneumograph connecting tube
f) Pneumograph distributing ink
g) Pneumograph pipe line
h) Vent valve and vent bottom
i) Tambour assembly
j) Sphygmomanometer
k) Resonance control
 4. Cardio section:
a) Pump bulb assembly
b) Blood pressure pump connection
c) Blood pressure cuff assembly
d) Connector block
e) Sphygmomanometer pipe line

5. Galvanograph section:
a) Hand electrode
b) Electrode jellow
c) Galvanometer

Electrodes and Controls

1. RESONANCE CONTROL – It allows you to clear up or make a better pattern when you have too much pulse pressure of
the subject.
2. HAND ELECTRODE – This is fastened to the hand by a stretched band. Function is to make electrical contact with the
subject.
3. PANEL CONTROL – to allow the operator to control or adjust the operation of the galvanograph. There are other five
important controls:
1. Off and on power switch – on switch is to energize the galvanograph section.
2. Subject’s resistance control – is to balance the galvo section to the skin resistance of the subject.
3. Reactivity control – to adjust sensitivity of the galvo section.
4. Self-centered normal switch – is to select either mode of operation.
5. Self-centering mode – is when the circuit electronically centers the pen itself after every excursion.

CONTROL OF THE CARDIO-SPHYGMOGRAPH SECTION

1. Manual centering knob – used to place cardio in its proper place on the chart.
2. Vents Valve – is used to left atmospheric pressure into the system and used to release pressure all or parts of the
pressure.
3. Resonance control – is used to decrease the amplitude of the cardio tracing and used to sharpen the diacrotic notch.

HOW TO OBTAIN BLOOD PRESURE PATTERN OR TRACING (CARDIO) Pen balance is critical. Pen is to be held on paper by
friction of the. Inflate pressure until you reach subject’s mean pressure. The mean pressure is the midway between the systolic and
the diastolic is the lowest pressure. In order to get the arithmetic mean pressure, add the diastolic and systolic and the sum divided
it by two. To get the geometric mean pressure, plus diastolic, watch your sphyg-dial when inflating the pressure, for maximum
deflection.

CONTROLS OF THE PNEUMOGRAPH SECTION

1. Manual centering knob – used to position base line of the pneumo tracing on the upper heavy horizontal line.
2. Vent – with the vent down, the system is closed and unoperative.
With the vent up, the system is open and ready for use.
3. Uses of the vent:
a) To stop the pen between the tests and to prevent possible tambour assembly.
b) To prevent pen from possible jam by moving up or down in one place of the chart paper.
c) To stop pen during the tube adjustment.
d) To assists in gaining amplitude.
e) To let atmospheric into the system.

HOW TO OBTAIN PROPER TRACINGS OF THE PNEUMO

First observe subject for point of maximum chest motion. Placed tube at point where maximum motion is observed. The tube must
be smug. A tube that is too loose will result in a distorted pattern. A tube is too tight will be uncomfortable and distort the pattern.
With female subjects the tube is almost, always placed above the breast. Some females are abdominal breathers and tubes will
have to be lowered.

CAUSES OF REACTION ON EXURSION OF THE PEN

1. Sudden noise
2. Interruption
3. Extraneous thoughts
 4. Sudden movements

HOW TO OBTAIN PROPER TRACING IN MODEL 63 KEELER MACHINE: (GALVO)

Turn power switch from off and on position. Then the galvo pen
fails to the bottom of the chart, and then galvo section is then ready for operation from 15 to 18 seconds after you have turned the
switch to an on position.

APPLICATION OF THE ELECTRODES TO THE SUBJECT

Position of hands or tip of fingers for convenience, adjust the sensitivity - Sensitivity test - Have subject take a deep breath, Touch
subject ear or neck, Quick motion within subject’s line of vision.

TECHNICAL PRODUCTION OF THE CARDIO TRACING

1. The ascending limb – pulse wave causes an expansion of the arterial wall and an increase surface pressure against the
cuff bladder thus forcing air from the bladder through the tubing into the tambour. The increasing air volume in the
tambour increases pressure against the bellows and forces the bellows forward.
This forward movement provides power to move the penfork in the attached pen in a lateral clockwise or upward direction pen in a
lateral clockwise or upward direction of the chart surface.
2. Descending limb – when a pulsed wave passes beyond cuff bladder attendant drop in a surface pressure against
bladder reverses this processes permitting the below to return to or toward its original position. This return of the bellows
to its original position is transmitted to the penforks and attached pen as a lateral counter clockwise or downward stoke on
chart surface.
3. Diacrotic notch – is cause by the minor secondary pulse wave passing under and beyond the blood pressure cuff. In the
wake of subsiding primary wave which momentarily halts or slow down the decrease in the surface pressure against the
bladder in turn causing a hesitation in the bellow movement back to or towards its original position.

TECHNICAL PRODUCTION OF THE PNEUMOGRAPH TRACING

1. Ascending limb – with the expansion of the chest during the inhalation, the air capacity in the pneumograph tube is
increased creating a vacuum within the system, which reduces the internal surface pressure against the bellow. Thus
moving the bellows backward causing a lateral clockwise or upward stroke of the pen.
2. Descending limb – cause by the exhalation thus reversing this process causing an increase in internal surface pressure
against the bellows, thus moving the bellow to or toward its original position and producing a lateral counter-clockwise or a
downward movement of the pen.

TECHNICAL PRODUCTION OF THE GALVO TRACING

1. The ascending limb – it is caused by the decrease of the subject’s resistance which throws the established circuit out of
balance and modifies the electric current flow through the magnetic field surrounding the pivot-movement of the recording
pen.
2. Descending limb:
a) Physical cause – is caused by a reverse in the subject resistance toward the original position thus bringing the
circuit back to or toward balance again producing a lateral clockwise or downward movement of the pen.
b) Mechanical cause – the fine coil springs attached to the pivot mountain pen cradle serve as counter balance for pen
movement either above or below the established base line and assists in returning the pen cradle to or towards the
original position.

COMPUTING RATE

Graph paper is lined and spaced in seconds. It is moving under pens at a uniform rate of six inches per minute. Rate is kept uniform
through medium of synchronized motor. From one heavy vertical line constitute a five second period. It is also one half inch. Count
the beats inside any five seconds scale multiply by twelve. This gave your number of heartbeats at any point in the test. For greater
accuracy you count the beats in two five seconds area multiply by six.

THE EXAMINER
Basis to all that has been said with regards to the utilization and accuracy of the polygraph technique is the matter of the examiner
qualifications and skills.

An Examiner must be an intelligent person, with reasonably good educational background – preferably college degree. He should
have an intense interest in the work itself, a good practical understanding of human nature, and suitable personality traits which may
be evident from his otherwise general ability to “get along” with people and to be well liked by his friends and associates. No amount
of training or experience will overcome lack of these necessary qualifications.

THE SUBJECT
Types or kinds of Subjects for Polygraph Test are:
1. Subject whose guilt is definite or reasonably certain.
2. Emotional offender
3. Person who commit crimes in the heat of passion
4. Person whose offenses are for accidental in nature
5. Non-Emotional offender
6. Person who commit crimes for financial gain
7. Subject whose guilt is doubtful or uncertain

Three (3) General Types of Subjects

1. Victim or Complainant
2. Witness
3. Suspects

Take Note: All Subjects must be in good physical and mental condition before he/she may be submitted for polygraph examination.
The following may not be submitted for Polygraph Test:
1. Person who has extreme nervousness
2. Person who has physiological abnormalities such as high blood pressure/hypertension, heart disease,
respiratory disorder, toothaches, severe headaches and practically any painful ailments.
3. Person with mental abnormalities
4. Unresponsive persons, such as person who suffer mental fatigue or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
5. Pregnant woman
6. Person below 18 years of age.