Reviewer in Polygraphy

Prepared by:
Mr. Eduardo D. Masirag
derived from the two Greek words:
POLY means Many or More and
GRAPHOS which means Writings

is a device or an instrument capable of

recording changes in blood
pressure/pulse beats, respiration, and
galvanic-skin-reflex or GSR as
indicative of emotional excitement,
especially of Lying when questioned.
Lie detection or polygraphy test is one of the
scientific methods in crime detection. The
polygraph is always one of the scientific
instruments in the detection of crime the criminal
investigation department in all police
organizations. This is used to test or question
individuals for the purpose of detecting deception
or verifying truth of statement through a visual,
permanent and simultaneous recording of a
person’s cardiovascular and respiratory pattern as
a minimum instrumentation requirement.
The instrument merely measures
certain identifiable physical reactions as
affecting the respiratory rate , blood
pressure/pulse rate and galvanic skin
resistance to a very minute amount of
current in connection with the of a
reliable questioning technique for
diagnosing deception.
The effectiveness of the polygraph in
recording symptoms of deception is
based on the well established fact that
a conscious mental effort on the part
of normal person to deceive, cause
involuntary physiological changes,
which are in effect, a body’s reaction
to an imminent danger of its well-
being.
HISTORY OF THE POLYGRAPH
Cardiosphygmograph Component
Cesare Lombroso- an Italian scientist who in
1885 used hydrosphygmograph procedure
and was credited to be the pioneer who
envisioned the idea of using scientific
procedures to lie detection. He is
considered as the first person to use an
instrument for the purpose of detecting
deception.
 Angelo Mosso
1895 He developed a type of
sphygmomanometer and utilized a
scientific cradle and focus on the
significance of fear as an indication
of deception.
 Dr. William M. Marston
1893-1947- The creator of
the systolic blood pressure
test, which lead to the
creation of the of the
polygraph.
 John A. Larson-
1921 Developed an instrument
capable of simultaneously and
continuously recording blood
pressure, pulse rate and respiration.
His invention was designated as the “
Bread of Lie Detector “
Cardio-Pneumo Psychogram was Larson’s
first instrument which was borrowed from
Dr. Robert Jessel and was invented by Earl
Bryant
= 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
 Galvanograph Component
Sticker
1897 Worked on the galvanograph
component and studied the
influence and relation of the sweat
glands to the skin resistance.
 Otto Veraguth

1907 Formulated the term

Psycho-galvanic Skin Resistance
(PSR). He claimed that the
electrical phenomena are due to
the activity the sweat glands.
 Richard O. Arthur

Developed an improvised
polygraph machine with two
galvanic skin resistance.
 Pneumograph Component
Vittorio Bennussi

1914 Noted changes in inhalation and

exhalation ratio occurring during
deception. He recorded the
respiratory curves of the
pneumograph.
 Harold Burtt

1918 A scientist who determined

that the respiratory changes were
signs of deception and concluded
the systolic pressure changes are
valuable in determining deception.
Kymograph Component
 Leonard Keeler

1926 Invented the kymograph machine. In 1949

the keelers polygraph incorporated in the
galvanograph with measurement, blood
pressure and respiration component and
kymograph component. He also devised the
metal recording bellow, rolled chart paper and
the method of question formulation used in
polygraph examination.
Considered the father of modern polygraph.
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.
= 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.
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS TO THE
DEVELOPMENT AND USED OF
POLYGRAPH
 Sir James Mackenzie
A famous English heart specialist who first
describe the polygraph as the “ ink
polygraph”.
Cleve Backster
Created the numerical scoring on the
polygraph chart and standardizing
quantitative polygraph technique.
 Francis Galton
He was credited for devising
Word Association Test.

John Reid
He was credited for the
development of the SAT and
Control Question by Test.
EARLY METHOD OF DETECTING
DECEPTION
 Balance Ordeal
The practice of determining the veracity of the
statement of the accused by placing him on one
scale of balance and in the other scale a counter
balance. Then the accused is asked to step down
the scale while the judge delivers a catch phrase
to the balance. After the exhortation, the
accused is asked to go back to the scale and if he
is found to be lighter than before he was
adjudged as acquitted.
 Boiling Water Ordeal
• this was prevalent in Africa. This test of
deception is undertaken by asking those
persons suspected of committing a crime to
place their right arm into the boiling pot to
the elbow, after plunging their arm they are
asked to take a rest at the same time the one
who lost some of his skin the next afternoon
or showed blister would be determined as the
person guilty of committing a crime.
 Donkey Tail Ordeal

• This is undertaken by placing the accused and

a donkey in one room, if after some time, the
donkey cries, the accused is adjudged as guilty
of the offense charge against him.
 Red Hot Iron Ordeal
This form of test is prevalent in India, specially
from those living in the hill tribes of Rajhamal in
the North of Bengal. The accused to prove his
innocence was asked to lick a red hot iron for
nine times unless burn sooner, if the tongue is
burned, the accused was put to death guilt was
believed to make the tongue dry.
 Red Water Ordeal
This form of trial is undertaken where the accused
is asked to fast for twelve hours, then he is asked to
swallow a small amount of rice and drink a dark
colored water. If this acts as an emetic and the
accused rejects all the rice, he is determined
innocent from the charges. This was based on the
belief that the fetish of the victim enters the body
through the mouth with the emetic red water; it
examines the heart of the accused and if it finds
him innocent brings up the rice in evidence.
 Rice Chewing Ordeal
Concentrated rice is the article selected instead
of cheese and bread, if the accused who is asked
to chew the concentrated rice is unable to
swallow a single grain he adjudged as guilty. This
is based on the premise that a person conscious
of their crime and fearful on the punishment
from God would feel a suffocating sensation in
their throat; they would then fall on their knees
and confess the crime.
 Trial By Combat

A primitive practice of detecting deception

whereby controversies in accusations are settled
by means of duel, the victor will be spared from
the consequences while the loser will be
pronounced guilty.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF
DETECTING DECEPTION
 A. Devices which record the psycho
physiological response:
• Lie detector test – a test used to record
physiological changes associated with lying in a
subject.
• Word association test – a list of stimulus or non
stimulus words are read to the subject who is
instructed to answer as quickly as possible. The
test is not concern with the answer be it as “yes
or no”. The important factor is the time of
response in relation to stimulus or non stimulus
words
Psychological stress evaluator (PSE)-
detects, measures and graphically displays
the voice modulations that we cannot hear.
When a person speaks, there are audible
voice frequencies, and superimposed on
these are the inaudible frequency
modulations which are product of minute
oscillations of the muscles or micro tremor
occur at the rate of 8-14 cycles/sec.
B. Use of drugs that try to “ inhibit the
inhibitor”:
Administration of truth serum – The term is
misnomer. The procedure is not make someone
tell the truth and the thing is not administered is
not a serum but is actually a drug. Hyoscine
hydrobromide is given hypodermically in
repeated doses until a state of delirium is
induced. When proper point is reached, the
questioning begins and the subject feels a
compulsion to answer the question truthfully.
He may forget his alibi which he may have built
up to cover his guilt.
Narcoanalysis – it is practically the
same as truth serum, the only
difference is the drug used. Psychiatric
sodium amytal or sodium penthotal is
administered to the subject. The drug
causes depression of the inhibitory
mechanism of the brain and the subject
talks freely.
Intoxication – The apparent
stimulation effect of alcohol is really
the result of the control mechanism
of the brain, like truth serum and
narcoanalytic drugs “ inhibit the
inhibitor” “In vino veritas” ( In
wine there is truth).
 C. Hypnotism
Is the alteration of consciousness and
concentration in which the subject manifests a
heightened of suggestibility while awareness is
maintained. Not all persons are susceptible to
hypnotic induction. Subject who are strong
willed like lawyers, accountants, physicians and
other professionals are non hypnotizable.
 D. By observation:
• By observation – A good criminal investigator
must be keen observer and a good
psychologist. A subject under stress on
account of the stimulation of the sympathetic
nervous system may exhibit changes which
may be used as a potential clue of deception.
 E. Scientific Interrogation:
Interrogation is the questioning of a person
suspected of having committed an offense or of
a person who are reluctant to make a full
disclosure of information in his possession
which is pertinent to the investigation.
Requirements for the admissibility of evidence
obtained through interrogation. Sec. 20 Art IV,
Bill of rights Phil Constitution.
 Confession:
Is the expressed acknowledgement by the
accused in a criminal case of the truth of his
guilt as to the crime charged or of some
essentials thereof.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Admission = is a statement of facts,
partial acknowledgement of guilt and
usually given with some justification or
exemplification in admitting.

Chart or Polygrams – refers to the

composite records of the
pneumograph, galvanograph and
cardiosphygmograph tracing recorded
from series of questions.
Confession = direct acknowledgement of
guilt or a statement of guilt.

Deception – is the act of deceiving or

misleading usually accompanied by lying.

Detection – is the act of discovering the

existence of facts or something that is
hiding.
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.
Fear – is an emotional response to
specific danger that appears beyond
a person defensive power.
Lying – is an uttering or conveying
falsehood or creating a false or
misleading impression with the
intention of affecting wrongfully the
acts through the opinion or affection
of another.
Polygraph – is an instrument used for
recording changes of blood pressure, pulse
rate, respiration and skin resistance as
indication of emotional disturbance
specially of lying when questioned. Derived
from Greek word POLY means many and
GRAPH means writing chart.

Polygraph examiner – is one who conduct

or administer test.
Polygraphy- is the scientific method
of detecting deception with the aid
or used of a polygraph.

Reaction – it is an action in mental

attitude evoke by external
influence.
Response – is any activity of the
previous activity of an organism or
part of the organism resulting from
stimulation.

Stimulus – is a force or emotional

response to organism.
Subject –refers to person being
examined.

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
Specific response – is any deviation
from the normal tracing of the
subject.
Normal response – is a tracing on
the chart wherein the subject
answered in the irrelevant
question.
Polygraph examiner – is one who conduct or
administer test.
Chart or Polygrams – refers to the composite
records of the pneumograph, galvanograph and
cardiosphygmograph tracing recorded from
series of questions.
Subject –refers to person being examined.
 Limitation of Polygraph
• It is an invariable investigative aid but never a
substitute for an investigation.
• It is not a lie detector but is a scientific
diagnostic instrument
• It does not determine facts but is a diagnostic
reaction
• It records responses which the subject knows
to be truth
• It is accurate as the examiner is competent
• The test will not be given until enough
facts of the case have been established
to permit an examiner to prepare a
complete of suitable questions.
• A test will not be given without the
voluntary consent of the subject
• No indication will be given to any person
or any place in any report that a person
will be considered guilty because he
refuse to take the test.
• A test will not be given until the
accusation have been explained to
the subject.
• No attempt to use the polygraph
for mental or physical evaluation
of any person
• No exam will be conducted to
unfit subject.
 OBJECTIVES OF POLYGRAPH
EXAMINATION:
• Ascertain if the subject is telling the truth
• Obtain leads to the facts of the offense,
location of the stolen goods and the where
about of the wanted person.
• Compare conflicting statement
• Verify statement
• Obtain the facts after the test indicates that a
person lied or tried to cover what he knew.
 PRINCIPAL USE OF POLYGRAPH

• It is an aid to an investigator
• It speed up the process of investigation
• It will eliminate innocent subject
• The investigator could concentrate to
one subject to determine the truth or
deception.
 What is Lie?

• A lie is any untruthful statement,

anything that deceives or creates
false impression , untrue statements
especially with intent to deceive or
to give an erroneous or misleading
impression .
What are the general kinds of lie?
1. White lie or benign lie – these are the
kind of lies used to protect relationship or
friendship.
2. Pathological lie – this is a lie who cannot
distinguish right from wrong.
3. Red lie – this involves political interests
and motives because this is a part of
communist propaganda strategy. This is
prevalent in communist countries.
4. Black lie – a lie which accompanies
pretentions and hypocrisies,
intriguing to cause dishonor or
discredit ones good image.

5. Malicious or Judicial lie – this is

very pure and justifiable kind of lie
that is intended to mislead or
obstruct justice.
 What are the other kinds of lie?
1. Fabrication – a lie told when someone
submits a statement as truth, without
knowing for certain whether or not it is
actually true.
2. Bold face lie – is one which is told when
it is obvious to all concerned that is a lie.
3. Lying by omission – one lies by omission
by omitting an important fact, deliberately
leaving another person with a
misrepresentation.
4. Lie to child – often platitude which
may use euphemism, which told to
make an adult subject accepted to
children.
5. Noble lie – one which normally cause
discord if it were uncovered, but which
offers some benefit to the liar and assist
in an orderly society, therefore
potentially beneficial to others.
6. Emergency lie - is strategic lie when
the truth may not be told because it
may harm a third party.
7. Perjury – the act of lying verifiably
false statements on a material matter
under oath or affirmation in a court of
law or in any of various sworn
statements in writing.
8. Bluffing – pretending to have a
capability or intention which one
does not actually possess.
9. Jocose lie – are those which are
meant in jest and are usually
understood as such by all present
parties. Teasing and sarcasm are
examples
10. Contextual lies – one can state
part of the truth out of the context,
knowing that without complete
information, it gives false impression.
Likewise, one can actually state
accurate facts, yet deceive with them.
11. Promotion lie – advertisements
often contain statements which are
incredible.
 WHAT ARE OTHER TYPE OF LIAR?
1. Panic liar – one lies in order to avoid the
consequences of a confession, they are afraid of
embarrassment and it is serious blow to their
ego. They believe that confession will just make
the matter worst.
2. Occupational liars – are practical liars and lies
when it has a higher “ pay off” than telling the
truth.
Tournament liar – those who love to lie
and are excited by the challenge of not
being detected. For them interview is a
contest and wants to win, these person
realizes that they will probably be
convicted but will not give anyone the
satisfaction of hearing them or his
confesses they want that people will
believe that the law is punishing an
innocent person.
4. Psychopathic liar – the most
difficult type, these persons have no
conscience and shows no regret for
dishonesty and no manifestation of
guilt.
5. Ethnological liars – are persons who
cannot distinguish right from wrong
due to their sick mind.
6. Pathological liar – are those
who cannot6 distinguish right
from wrong due to their sick
mind.
7. Black liar – are person s who
always pretends that he is and
what he thinks of himself.
 What is polygraph examination?
• Is a series of test conducted on the
person involved in the commission of
the crime and referred to the
polygraph branch and the
formulation of questions that is
answerable by yes or no.
 IS POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
CONCLUSIVE?
• No. it is opinionated because of the
following circumstances to wit:

1. No standard as to the instrument

used
2. The method of questioning
3. The examiner is incompetent
FACTORS THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE ERRORS OF THE LIE DETECTOR:
• Nervousness or extreme emotional
tension experienced by the subject
• Physiological abnormalities such as;
• Excessive high or low blood pressure
• Disease of the heart
• Respiratory disorder
• Unresponsiveness in a lying or guilty subject
because of:
• No fear of detection
• Apparent inability to consciously control
response by means of certain mental sets
of attitude.
• A condition of sub shock
• Extensive interrogation prior to the test.
• Attempt to beat the machine by controlled
breathing or by muscular flexing.
• Unobservable application of the gadgets.
CAN A PERSON BE COMPELLED TO NE
SUBJECTED TO THE POLYGRAPH TEST?
• The test requires the subject to
answer the question by yes or no. It
infers the use of intelligence and
attention or other mental faculties
which is self incriminatory therefore,
a person can’t be compelled to be
subjected to the test.
 REASONS FOR THE INADMISSIBILITY
TO THE COURT OF THE RESULT OF THE
POLYGRAPH EXAM:

• The polygraph techniques are still in the

experimental stage and have not
received the degree of standardization
acceptance among scientist.
• The truth of facts is to give almost
conclusive weight to the polygraph
expert’s opinion.
• That there is no way to assure that a
qualified examiner administer the test.
The important areas that may affect the
accuracy of the test result are:
a) Polygraph training
b) The extent of the experience
c) The operation of the instrument
d) The accuracy of the polygraph techniques
• The test itself cannot be relied upon
because it has so many errors.
 QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES
EXPECTED OF A POLYGRAPH
EXAMINER
• A polygraph examiner is one who is
capable of being able to detect deception
or verify truth of statement through
instrumentation or the use of mechanical
device.
• The following qualifications and qualities
of polygraph examiner are expected.
 Technical know how

He must have a complete

knowledge of the instrument
and its capabilities and
limitations
 Moral
He must have a sincere desire to
be a polygraph examiner in its
strictest sense, by devoting
himself to polygraph profession
through maintenance of a highly
personal integrity and increasing
personal proficiency through
constant study and research,
Be mindful of his official obligation

He constantly bear in mind that his

primary official obligation to his
subject is to afford them all possible
safeguards against error and must
never accept for a polygraph
examination any subject whose
physical and mental conditions or state
makes him unfit.
 Honest

He is an impartial seeker of the truth

to conduct his examination in a
professional and ethical manner and
never allow his personal feelings,
sympathies or prejudice influence
the result of the examination.
 INTERPRETATION OF THE CHART:
• There must be an identifiable response
• It must form a divergence from norm of the
subject
• It must be seen in at least 2 or more test
• The paramount indication of deception is the
simultaneous responses in three tracing of the
chart namely the pneumograph, galvanogaph
and the cardiosphygmograph tracing.
 LOCATION OF TRACING:
• Pneumograph tracings usually found on the top of the
chart it is a record of the subject’s respiratory action
during questioning process and may be classified
normal or abnormal.
• Galvanograph tracing usually located at the canter
position of the chart, when properly balanced takes the
form of a slightly wavering line across the middle
portion of the chart with minor response to spoken
stimuli.
• Cardiosphygmograph tracing usually found at the
bottom of the chart, refers to the record of the activity
of the heart during the questioning process.
 pneumo
response

galvano
response
FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS OF
POLYGRAPH
 CARDIO-SPHYGMOGRAPH
COMPONENT
• It was designed to detect changes in the blood
pressure and pulse rate of the subject. It can
record changes of systolic blood pressure and
pulse rate of the subject. It is made up of the
following:
Blood pressure cuff – which is attached to the
upper right arm of the subject, slightly above the
brachial artery.
Sphygmomanometer – which is utilized to indicate
the amount of air pressure inflated in the system.
Pump bulb assembly - which is inflates air into the
system, also known as an air pump it has a hose
connecting the blood pressure the recording pen.
Resonance control unit – which is used for reducing
or increasing the amount of air pressure to reach
the brass bellows and thus reduce or increase the
amplitude of pen excursions.
Centering control- which is used to provide
adjustment of the tracing so that the composite
records pattern would be on the guideline.
Vent – provide the means by which
air in the system can be released.

Recording pen unit – which is used

to record the blood pressure, pulse
rate changes on the chart paper by
means of five inch recording pen.
 Cardiosphygmograph Tracing
• Cardio tracing taking the form of specific
responses indicative of deception are:
– Increase or decrease in blood pressure
– Increase and decrease in pulse rate
– Increase and decrease in amplitude
– Change in position or disappearance of diacritic
notch
– Extrasystoles (Premature contraction of an auricle
or ventricle while fundamental rhythm of the
heart is maintained)
GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT
Its primary function is to
detect changes of alterations
in skin resistance of the
subject. It is made up of the
following components:
• Finger electrode assembly – which has a
finger electrode plate and retainer bond
attached to the left index and ring finger
of the subject. And a connecting plug
designed to fasten the system to the
polygraph machine.
• Recording pen unit – which usually
seven inches in length.
• Amplifier unit – which is made to
support the galvanometer in converting
electrical to mechanical current.
 Galvanic tracing which may be
indicative of deception:
• Vertical rise at point of deception
• Double saddle response
• Long duration of response following
point of deception
• Planging galvano tracing
 PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT

It is designed to detect changes of

respiration of the subject. Its major
components are the pneumograph
chest assembly and recording unit
Rubber convoluted tube – which is ten
inches in length corrugated rubber
attached to the chest and abdominal
area of the subject.
Pneumograph recording unit is made up
of brass bellows, a frame, crankshaft,
countershaft, adjustable fulcrum,
bearing with adjusted screw pen, vent
limiting screws, pen cradle and pen
centering control. The backward and
forward right movement is then
recorded to the chart paper.
 Chart Interpretation
• The changes from the individual norms which
may be considered indicative of deception.
– Change in rhythm or regularity
– Change in amplitude or volume
– Change in the inhalation/exhalation ratio
– Change of baseline
– Loss of base line
– Hyperventilation
– Suppression
– Respiratory block
Suppression – approaches but does not quite equal the typical
respiratory blocks in A and B.
STAIRCASE SUPPRESSION
RISE FROM THE BASELINE
Suppression – approaches but does not quite equal
the typical respiratory blocks in A and B.
Respiratory Block – appear at the end of the exhalation

Respiratory Block – appears at the end of the inhalation

 KYMOGRAPH COMPONENT
• its primary serves as the paper feed
mechanism of the polygraph machine. It is a
device that records the different tracings by
driving the paper out under a recording pen
unit. Its pulls or drives the chart paper under
the recording pen simultaneously at the rate
of 6 to 12 inches per minute. The chart must
travel in a uniform speed to facilitate the valid
interpretations.
KYMOGRAPH COMPONENT
Chart – which is rolled graph paper
composed of 12 division in 60 seconds
run designed to measure the rate of
various body function.
Rubber roller – which pulls the paper
out of the machine.
Paper trail guide – which serves as to
secure or ensure the chart paper’s
forward movement without shaking.
 STAGES UNDERTAKEN IN A
POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION

• Initial Interview – usually conducted by the

investigator handling the case or a polygraph
examiner who given brief significant details of
the case. It is designed to obtain pertinent
information necessary for the conduct of the
test.
 The investigator must furnish the
following documents:
• Sworn statement of the suspects,
witnesses and complainants
• Incident or spot report
• BI of suspects, witnesses and victims
• Rough sketch or pictures of the crime
scene and other facts
 Pre-test Interview

• administered by the polygraph examiner

designed to condition or prepare the subject
for the actual test. Its duration usually last 20
to 30 minutes.
Prior to the polygraph examination the
following considerations are taken into
account:
• The subject must refrain from smoking at
least two hours prior to the test.
• The subject should avoid taking
medication for at least 2 days prior to the
examination.
• The subject should not be hungry.
• The subject must refrain from consuming
alcoholic beverages for at least 12 hours
prior to the actual test.
• The subject should not be suffering from
physical or emotional abuse.
• The subject should calm down and relax,
if the female subject is pregnant having
menstruation, the test will not be
undertaken.
• The subject should not wear tight
apparels or clothing as this may cause
inference in the test results.
• The subject should have at least five (5)
hours of sleep prior to the examination.
 Before the actual polygraph
examination is administered to the
subject, the polygraph examiner must
take the necessary preparations which
are as follows:
• The appraisal of the subject’s
constitutional rights.
• Obtain the subject’s consent to undergo
a polygraph examination.
• Taking the subject’s personal data.
• Informing the subject’s involvement with
the case.
• Evaluating the psychological
preparations.
• Determine his/ her suitability as a
subject.
 Actual Test
• The conditions of the room must be ideal that
it should be spacious, well ventilated and
lighted; it should be sound proof and not be
decorated so as not to distract the subject.
The major components of the polygraph
machine are attached to the subject. And
questions are asked one by one at specific
intervals
Polygraph is assumed to be effective if
the examination room is:
• The room must be spacious for two persons
with a polygraph desk, subject’s chair with
arm rest and an examiner’s stool.
• The room must be devoid of pictures,
paintings, ornaments and other decors.
• The room must be adequately ventilated and
well lighted.
• The room must be private and generally free
from all outside noise preferably at least 90%
sound proof and distracting influence.
• The room may be installed with an observation
one-way mirror and remote sound system or
video device, amplifier for monitoring and
recording the test proceedings to authorized
observers.
• As to the machine to be used it should be tested
and widely used by most Asian countries, it
should be the latest version, it should be well
maintained, properly set and in a well running
condition.
 Post Test Interview
• It is similar to the method of interrogation
administered by the polygraph examiner which is
designed to obtain admission or confession of
the subject. An interview is conducted when the
subject indicates an innocent response, while
interrogation is undertaken if signs of deception
are indicated by the results of the actual
polygraph test.
• subject for giving consideration and cooperation.
• In cases wherein the polygraph
result indicates that the subject
is innocent, it is the duty of the
examiner to cordially release
the subject and to thank the
subject for giving consideration
and cooperation.
If the polygraph examiner is convinced
of the guilt of the subject from the
chart taken, the post test interrogation
technique is used to secure admission
or confession. It is undertaken
following these procedures
• Inform the subject that he can not be
cleared from his chart.
• Advice the subject that the responses were
the result of his emotion and not by means
of any mechanical manipulation.
• Use sympathetic and persuasive attitude as
well as perseverance in drawing out
confession or admission.
• Indicate recorded reactions with brief
explanations of their importance as an
objective, tangible and concrete evidence to
be used against the subject.
• Listed conscientiously to any consequences,
pursue a line of mild questioning as to the reasons
why the criminal act was committed.
• If confession or admission is coming allow the
subject to narrate it in his own words.
• Carefully listen to precise details and write it down
at first instance.
• Never make any guarantee as to immunity, reward
or leniency.
• Inform the investigator on case.
• If no confession was given, cordially release the
subject.
 Purposes of post test interview:
• To clarify findings
• To learn if there are any other reasons for the
subjects responding to a relevant question
other than the knowledge of the crime.
• To obtain additional information and an
admission for law enforcement purposes if the
results suggest deception.
 Rules to be observed in formulating
test questions:
• Questions must be concise as possible.
• Questions must be direct and simple.
• Questions should not be in the form of an accusation.
• All queries must be answerable by yes or no.
• The terms must be used should be clear and
understood by the subject.
• All questions must refer to one offense only.
• All questions must refer to one element of a felony.
• Questions must not entail legal terminologies.
• All questions should not contain inferences to one’s
knowledge, religion, race, ideology or belief.
Types of Questions
 Irrelevant Questions
• are those pertaining to basic data and
information regarding the background of the
subject not related to the case but is asked to
establish the normal response of the subject.
Example. Name, Address, age etc. Such
questions are only answerable by YES only.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF IRRELEVANT
QUESTION:
a. It has no connection to the matter under
question.
b. No treat to the subject
c. Neither innocent nor guilty suspects have reason
to lie.
d. Usually about t6he subject background.
e. Generally used at the beginning of polygraph
technique to establish a norm for examinee or
through out the examination as needed to establish
norm pattern.
 Relevant Questions
• are those queries related to the issue .

– Strong relevant or crucial questions are designed

to test for direct involvement which is specifically
designed to produce an emotional response in
guilty subjects it having an intense specific
relationship to the crime.
Weak relevant indicates deception on the
part of the subject.
• 1. Knowledge- questions given for the purpose
of determining information known to the
subject
• 2. Evidence connecting – is designed to link the
subject and the crime
• 3. Sacrifice questions – used to determine
truthfulness on the part of the subject. It is
answerable by NO.
• Secondary Questions – are formulated and
given to bring about guilty knowledge or
partial involvement.
• Control questions – these are questions which
are unrelated to the matter under
investigation but are similar nature although
less serious as compared to those relevant
questions under investigation.
• Test procedures: all test of polygraph
examination must be conducted only
having a pre-test interview with the
subject to condition him to the test.
Polygraph examination should
consist of asking the subject a list of
not more than twelve prepared
questions in planned sequence.
 Types of Tests
• General question test – answerable by YES or NO
this questions which the subject known as true.
• Peak of tension test – it is the asking of series of
questions in which only one has bearing upon the
matter under investigation. This is conducted
when there is a wide spread knowledge
pertaining to a crime but the intimate details are
known only by the offender. It is answerable by
NO only.
• Card test – it is conducted immediately after
the completion of the first test while the
blood pressure cuff is still deflated. The
subject is asked to choose from one from
seven numbered cards. The card is then
shuffled by the examiner and instruct the
subject to answer NO concerning the card
when shown. This is to single out which
among the answer given by the subject is lie.
Silent answer test – this is
confirmatory test because the
subject is afraid of the unfamiliar
and the unknown. It is an
examination in which the subject is
instructed by the examiner to avoid
AUDIBLE response to the questions
asked.
• Guilt complex test – in case the subject is
overly responsive, this test is given which
consist of the test pertaining to purely
fictitious incident of a similar nature to the
one under query.
• Mixed question test – this consist of an
arrangement of first and third test question,
administered for the purpose of discounting
possible factor of accident responses and to
compare the degree of reaction between
control or relevant question.
 CHART MARKING AND
INTERPRETATION
• Chart markings – are annotations of the
physiologic tracings to denote stimulus
(question) onset and offset, examinee’s
answer, number, question label, artifacts and
other details important to the interpretation
of the physiological data.
 Two types of chart markings
• 1. Primary markings- these are markings
which indicate the beginning and end of
examination as well as the question and
answers of the subject.These are usually
placed at the bottom or top of the polygraph
chart.
a. X it indicates start of the test.
The examiner informs the subject that
the test is about to begin.
b. - is a stimulus mark. The first
vertical line marks when the examiner
starts asking question. Second vertical
line marks when the examiner finishes
asking question.
 • c. + a positive sign which indicates
that the subject answers the question with
YES. It also indicates the period when the
subject answers the question and usually
followed by a” number” indicating the
order number of question example +1, +2,
+3 …
• d. – a negative sign indicating that the subject
answers the stimulus with “no”. This also
indicates the period when the subject answers
the question and usually followed by a
“number”.-1,-2,-3

• e. XX indicates the end of the test. Markings

• 2. Secondary markings – are markings which are
placed only if the examinee does something
which will cause the physiological tracings to
distort. These marking are usually placed below
the affected tracing.
– M – Movement
– T -Subject talk
– TI – Talking Instruction
– C- Coughing
– N- Noise
– S – Sign
– L – Laugh
– Y – Yawn
– B- Burps
– A – downward adjustment of galvano pen.
– V- Upward adjustment of galvano pen.
– PJ – paper jump
– CT – clearing troat
– SN – Sniff
– SZ – Sneeze
– BI – Breathing Instruction
– DB – Deep Breathing
– IS - Ink Stop
– MI -Movement Instruction
– OS – Outside Stimulus
– M-M prolonged movement