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Forensic 105

The document discusses the foundation and techniques of polygraph testing. It explains that polygraph testing relies on three premises: (1) the mechanical ability of the machine to record physiological changes, (2) that specific physiological changes are linked to stimulation of the nervous system, and (3) that deception involves involuntary mental and emotional processes. It also describes how the autonomic nervous system is activated during deception, preparing the body for fight or flight through hormones and changes to heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Polygraph tests are used to verify statements, establish witness credibility, and evaluate suspect truthfulness or guilt in criminal investigations.

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Francheska Kate Labios
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36 views

Forensic 105

The document discusses the foundation and techniques of polygraph testing. It explains that polygraph testing relies on three premises: (1) the mechanical ability of the machine to record physiological changes, (2) that specific physiological changes are linked to stimulation of the nervous system, and (3) that deception involves involuntary mental and emotional processes. It also describes how the autonomic nervous system is activated during deception, preparing the body for fight or flight through hormones and changes to heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Polygraph tests are used to verify statements, establish witness credibility, and evaluate suspect truthfulness or guilt in criminal investigations.

Uploaded by

Francheska Kate Labios
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MODULE 5: THE FOUNDATION OF POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUES

I. Theory and Concept


The polygraph technique uses the principle that the bodily functions of a person are influenced by his
mental state. The physiological changes accompanying deceptions are capable of being recorded, measured, and
interpreted with reasonable certainty through the uses of an instrument known as polygraph or lie detector.

Telling a lie is usually an emotional experience. A conscious act of lying causes conflict in the mind of the
examinee, which produces an emotion of fear or anxiety, manifested by fluctuations in pulse rate, blood
pressure, breathing, and perspiration. The physiologic fluctuation that come with the emotion are in nature
automatic, self-regulating, and beyond conscious control because they affect the functioning of the internal
structures that prepare the body for emergency. They are simply mobilized for survival value.

II. Physiological Effector Mechanism (Autonomic Nervous System)


The autonomic nervous system is the main effectors mechanism which the polygraph are concerned.
The autonomic nervous system is the one responsible for regulating mechanism that corrects the slightest
deviation from a particular standard within very fine limits. Sleeps, oxygenation of the blood temperature, levels
of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and all the essential chemical substances that maintain the activity of
all cell membranes are finely adjusted. This is found at the center of the brain and its central control is in the
“hypothalamus” - a group of nerve cells of the brain that controls the entire endocrine-hormonal system. All of
our involuntary reflexes - those that we cannot control consciously such as our heart beat, pulse rate, increase
and decrease in blood pressure and the expansion and constriction of arteries are governed by the autonomic
nervous system. When one of our senses detects a threat to our well-being, it sends a signal to the autonomic
nervous system, which activate its sympatphetic division regardless whether threat is physical or psychological.

In polygraph testing, the receptor is the ear of the subject, which receives the threatening question or stimulus
from the polygraphist. The stimulus is transmitted from the ears via the sensory neurons into the brain where the
hypothalamus analyzes, evaluates and resolves that particular question. It makes a decision for the subject as to
whether it is threatening or not a threatening situation. If affirmative, the hypothalamus immediately activates
the “sympathetic” subdivision of the autonomic nervous system. When the sympathetic system is activated, it
immediately prepares the body for “fight or flight” with the situation by causing the adrenal glands to secret
hormones known as epinephrine and norepinephrine, so that the blood will be distributed to those areas of the
body where it is most needed to meet the emergency, such as the brain and the larger muscle group. The
chemical norepinephrine causes the arterioles in certain parts of the body to constrict, thereby preventing blood
from entering those areas where it is not immediately needed. Other obvious effect took place when the
sympathetic system is activated, the heart pumps blood harder and faster, increasing blood pressure, pulse rate,
and strength, thus furnishing more oxygenated blood to those areas of the body where it is vitally needed to meet
the emergency, such as the brain when increased mental activity is demanded. The second division of the
autonomic nervous system is the “parasympathetic” nervous system. It is functionally antagonistic to the
sympathetic nervous system. Its role is to maintain the homeostasis of the body which is necessary for normal
functioning. Therefore, it follows that whenever the sympathetic activates the parasympathetic follows to re-
establish the chemical balance of the body.

MODULE 6: TRIPOD FOUNDATION OF POLYGAPH TECHNIQUE

1. Mechanical Leg Basic Premises - The polygraph machine is mechanically capable of making a graphical
records containing reliable information regarding physiological.

2. Physiological Leg Basic Premise - Among the physiological changes that may be recorded and identified are
those that automatically occur only following the stimulation of the specific nervous system component and
from which stimulation of those specific nervous system components can be reliably diagnosed.

3. Psychological Leg Basic Premise - Under this polygraph leg premise, the specific nervous system component
whose stimulation can thus be diagnosed are so stimulated by the involuntary mental and emotional processes of
the individual who is consciously attempting concealment of deceptions specially if that individual has
something at stake and the prevailing circumstances lead him to believe that exposure to detection is quite
possible although undesirable.
PURPOSE AND USES OF POLYGRAPH TECHNIQUES
1. Polygraph Examination is generally used an investigative aid/technical aid in investigative process. It is used
to:
a. Verify the statement of victims or complainant.
b. Establish the credibility of the witnesses.
c. Evaluates the truthfulness or guilt of the suspects.

2. Other uses of Polygraph Test:


a. Pre-employment screening
b. Loyalty check of personnel
c. Etc.

SIGNIFICANCE OF POLYGRAPH TEST IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION


1. Eliminates innocent subjects.
2. Recognizes false complaints.
3. Determine the veracity of information provided by the informants.
4. Provides a new “key” to an investigation when all other standard investigative techniques have been
exhausted.
5. Narrow the focus of inquiry.
6. Gathers additional information on particular suspects.
7. Add to the investigator and to speed the process of investigation.
8. Obtain additional investigative leads to the facts of an offense after the test indicated that the subjects
lied or tried to cover-up what he knew.
9. Locate fruits or tools of the crime or whereabouts of wanted persons.
10. Obtains valuable information from reluctant witnesses.

ACCURACY OF POLYGRAPH TEST RESULTS


As to the latest research, the accuracy of the polygraph test results ranges from 95% to 100% depending upon the
factors that affect the test.

FACTORS THAT AFFECTED THE ACCURACY OF THE POLYGRAPH RESULTS


1. The instrument.
2. The condition of the Subject.
3. The condition of the examination room.
4. The qualification and skills of the examiner.

OBJECTIVE OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION


The ultimate objective of Polygraph Test or Examination is to obtain the Subject’s “ADMISSION or
CONFESSION” of the offense committed.

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