LIE DETECTION

TECHNIQUES
 "A large part of criminals' work is
nothing more than a battle against
lies."
 ANCIENT METHODS of DETECTING DECEPTION

Trial by ordeal was an ancient way of

determining someone’s guilt or innocence by
making them undergo a painful, often potentially
lethal, experience. If they survived unscathed – or
at any rate survived – they were deemed to be
innocent of whatever charge had been levelled
against them and, by the Middle Ages, the theory
ran that this was because God was on their side
and performing miracles to help them out.
 KINDS OF ORDEAL

1. Red Hot Iron Ordeal

• This was practiced in the Hill Tribe
of North Bengal, India. The accused
had to carry a bar of red-hot-iron in
his hands while he walked nine
marked paces. In the unlikely event
of no burns appears on his hands,
he is adjudged innocent. Otherwise,
he was hanged promptly. A
variation of licking the red hot-iron
or the suspect has to run
barefooted and blindfolded over
red-hot plowshares.
2. Ordeal by Balance

Another ancient method of detecting

deception which was observed in the
'Institute of Vishnu, India. A scale of
'balance is used, at one end of the
scale the accused is placed and in the
other end is a counterbalance. The
person will step out of the scale and
listen to a judge deliver an exhortation
on balance and get back in. If he was
found lighter than before, then he
should be acquitted.
 3. Ordeal by Water

• Boiling Water Ordeal

• Cold Water Ordeal
4. Ordeal by Rice Chewing
It is performed with a kind of rice called sathee
which is prepared with various incantations.
5. Trial by Combat
The aggrieved party claimed the right to fight the
alleged offender or to champion to fight for him. The
victor is said to win not by his strength but because of
supernatural powers that had intervened on the side of
the right. If still alive after the combat, the loser might
be hanged or burned,
6.Test of the Eucharist
This was applied chiefly among the
clergy and monks. When they took the
host, it was believed that God would
smite the guilty with sickness or death.
7. Ordeal of the Bier
It was an ancient belief that the slain dead
could point out their killer. In England, it was
customary for the accused to approach the
bier where the corpse was laid
8. Ordeal of the Needle
A red-hot needle was made to pierce the
lower lip of the alleged criminal, and if
blood flowed from the wound, he was
deemed guilty; but if none, he is innocent
9. Ordeal by Heat
• The accused walked barefoot
over red-hot coals, or made to
walk through a fire. If he was
unharmed, he was considered
innocent
10. Ordeal of the Tiger
• Practiced in Siam, the accused
and accuser are place inside a
cage of a tiger, if the tiger spares
one of them, he is considered
innocent.
 II. OBSERVATION METHOD

1. Verbal Clues
• Methods of responding to the question
• The length of time before giving a response
• Repetition of the question
• Fragmented or incomplete sentences
• Being overly polite
• Oaths
• Use-of words
• Inconsistencies.
 Non-Verbal Clues

• Emblems
• Manipulators
• Breathing
• Sweating
• Frequent swallowing
• Facial Muscle
• Eyes
• Face
 III.HYPNOSIS

• This was introduced by Franz Anton Mezmer

as a method of detecting deception in 1778. It
refers to the alteration of consciousness and
concentration in which the Subject manifests
a heightened state of suggestibility while
awareness is being maintained.
 HYPNOSIS

• The alteration of consciousness and

• concentration in which the subject manifests heightened suggestibility while awareness is
maintained.
• The person will be induced in a state of consciousness. At a very comfortable state, the examiner
will ask the person to
• do something and he will follow.
 THEORIES that support hypnosis

• Retrieval Theory (Dr. Martin Reiser)

• - Our brain is comparable to a memory
• bank and it can't store a lot of data.
• Construction Theory (Dr. Martine Orne)
• Processing of the brain. The brain constructs or processes- It can be affected by external
factors. We were not sure if that thing really happened or not because of the factors that
affected the process.
• Is HYPNOSIS admissible in Court?
• REASONS:
• LACKS GENERAL SCIENTIFIC ACCEPTANCE - Not full science. Does not meet general standards.
• DISTORTION OF FACTS - High possibility of distortion of facts because of a lot of flaws during the
process.
• FABRICATION ON THE PART OF THE TRIER - Not in conscious state. He may create memories that he
will impart to the examiner.
• SKILL AND PROFESSIONALISM OF THE EXAMINER
 IV.WORD ASSOCIATION TEST

• Another method of deception detection

which was introduced in 1879 by Sir Francis
Galton. Accordingly, this process is done by
giving the subject lists of carefully selected
stimulus objects interspaced with other
irrelevant objects with the instruction to
respond with the very first word that may
come to the subject's mind. The answer to
the subject could be YES or NO.
 V. ADMINISTRATION OF TRUTH SERUM)

• The so-called "truth serum was introduced by

Dr. Edward Mandel House. This method
involves intravenous injection or oral taking of
various drugs, such as Scopolamine,/ Hyoscine hydrobrornide to
reliably produce truthfulness.
NARCO - HYPNOSIS / NARCO-ANALYSIS

• Sodium amytal
• - Sodium pentothal
• drugs will be administered to the person. These dry=ugs will affect the CNS. if under
influence: the person is compelled to do answer questions introduced to him.
• will be introduced to the body of the subject which will affect the nervous system
•
 Problems in Narco-Hypnosis

• 1. Hypermnesia (jumbled in the mind of the person) or Confabulation (gaps on the mind of the
person and those gas may be filled with things not really happening) - abnormal recall of
events.
• 2.Hypnotic recall- flashbacks of events; distortion of event in memory
• 3. Memory hardening- recalling of events that did not transpire but seems to happen.
 VI. INTOXICATION

• IN VENO VERITAS (In wine there is truth)

•This method employs alcoholic
beverages as stimuli to obtain the truth.
• "IS THE STATEMENT OF A PERSON UNDER
THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL ADMISSIBLE? "
 VII. PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS EVALUATOR

• This is sometimes called voice stress analysis

and is based on the use of a certain machine
developed in the late 1960s that presumably
detects "guilt-revealing" laryngeal micro
tremors which exist in the voice and are
associated with stress and lying
 VIII.BRAIN FINGERPRINTING

•detects concealed information stored in the

brain by measuring brainwaves. A specific EEG
event-related potential, a P300-MERMER, is
elicited by stimuli that are significant in the
present context. BF detects P300-MERMER
responses to words/pictures relevant to a
crime scene, terrorist training, bomb-making
knowledge, etc.
VIII.BRAIN FINGERPRINTING
Types of Brainwave Fingerprinting

• Event-Related Potentials (ERPS)-

• The equipment will record the EEG wave of the subject.
• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) - part of brain imagery (providing specific images
through use of fMRI and PET)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) - part of brain of brain imagery;
• 2 and 3- analyze the blood flow in different regions in our brain/ blood flows in a specific pattern
in our brain/ person attempts to lie= create another pattern.
•CROSS CHECKING INFORMATION
examination of testimonial evidence and
documentary evidence. Through
collaborating different means of lie
detection. Interrogating the person the
person and verification of statements
corning form different sources.
• PSYCHOLOGICAL METHOD Psychological aspect; examination and analysis of person's behavior
and cognition. Started in ancient china-if the person is involved in a crime.
• INTERROGATION Useful in criminal detection and interrogation. Interrogation- vigorous, strict or
tactical questioning of teh suspect
 POLYGRAPH TEST TECHNIQUE

• This method is based upon the

theory that once a lie has been made
or that an emotional-evoking
stimulus has been given, a conscious
mental effort on the part of a
normally conditioned person causes
physical and physiological changes .
 Terminologies

• Polygraphy – comes from the two Greek word

“poly” which means many or more; and “graphos”
which means writings; It is defined as the scientific
deception detection with the use or aid of a
Polygraph.
• Polygraph – commonly known as
Deceptograph, or Lie-Detector, or
the “Pneumo-Galvo-Sphygmo-
Cardio-Graph”. It is an instrument or
device capable of recording bodily
changes occurring in the blood-
pressure/ pulse rates, respiration,
and the electrical properties of the
skin (or the galvanic-skin-reflex or
GS
• Subject – this refers to any person undergoing
polygraph examination. He maybe a suspect,
the complainant, the witness, the victim or
the relative of the victim or suspect (in case
of criminal investigation or interrogation), or
he may be an aspiring job applicant (in case of
employment in the government or private
institution) undergoing screening through
loyalty check or integrity test.
subject
• Polygraph Examiner – this is also known as
Polygraphist or Expert Examiner. This refers to the
person conducting the Polygraph Test or
Examination.
• Polygraph Test, or Polygraph Examination – this is
the whole process of questioning or the taking of
one chart from a series of questions or all of the
charts and question sheets used in the test.
Polygraph
• Chart/Polygram – this is also known as Chart or
Graph. It refers to the recorded tracings of all the
emotional patterns permanently on the Charts or
Graphs from series of questions
 Meaning of polygraphy

• It is the method of detecting deception with

the aid of the polygraph instrument. It is
administered by asking questions to the
subject to the case under investigation
• DECEPTION. It is an act of deceiving misleading
usually accomplished by lying. ,

• LYING. It is the uttering or conveying of falsehood or

creating a false impression with the intention of
affecting the acts or opinions of others.

• DETECTION. The act of discovering the existence or

presence of fact of something hidden or obscure.
• EMOTION. In psychology it signifies a reaction
involving certain physiological changes, such as
accelerated or retarded pulse rate, the
diminished or increased activities of certain
glands, or a change in body temperature.

• FEAR. The emotional responses to specific

dangers that appear to be potentially beyond a
person’s defensive power. The lying person fears
detection of the lie causing psychological changes
that can be recorded with the u se of Polygraph
machine.
 Historical Development of Lie Detection

• 1895 – the first attempt to use a scientific

instrument stressing its importance to Lie-
Detection.
• 1935 – Stoelting Company invented the first
modern polygraph.
• Cesare Lombroso – was an Italian Criminologist and
Physicist, who published experiments regarding the
presence and absence of blood pressure and pulse rate
changes on suspects whose guilt or innocence he
sought to be determined.
• - the first person to use scientific instruments for the
purpose of detecting lies.
• - published an account of several experiments he had
conducted regarding the presence or absence of blood
pressure and pulse rate changes on suspects whose
guilt or innocence he sought to determined.
• Vittorio Benussi – published his researches on
respiration changes as indicators of lying and
deception in 1914. During the test, he measured
recorded respiratory tracings and found that the
ratio between the length of inspiration (the action or
power of moving the intellect or emotions) and the
length of expiration may vary according to given
situations.
• William Moulton Marston – In 1915, he made
researches on sphygmomanometer's usefulness in
detecting lies and deceptions. He reported some very
successful reports about his studies that with the use
of an ordinary sphygmomanometer, he was able to
obtain periodic (interval), discontinuous blood
pressure readings during the course of his
investigation and test.
• Harold E. Burtt – improvised and conformingly
utilized the techniques of Benussi.

•  John A. Larson – in 1921, he assembled an

instrument capable of recording simultaneous
physiological changes of blood-pressure, pulse-rates,
and respiration. - developed an instrument capable
of simultaneously and continuously recording blood
pressure, pulse rate and respiration. - his invention
was designated as the “bread lie detector”
•Leonard Keeler – devised an additional
instrument, which consisted of
galvanometer (instrument used to
measure small electric current) for
recording what is known as the GSR to
the instrument Larson had perfected. -
accorded as the “Father of Modern
Polygraph”
• John E. Reid – he contributed a new device for
recording unobserved muscular activities of the
arms, thighs and feet in 1945.
•  Sir James Mackinzie – he devised the Ink
Polygraph. A famous English heart specialist who
first describe the polygraph machine as “the ink
polygraph”.
•  Angelo Mosso – a pioneer who developed a type
of sphygmomanometer and utilized a scientific
cradle and focus on the significance of fear as an
indication of deception.
Luigi Galvani – an Italian scientist and physicist,
invented the galvanometer which records electrical
bodily resistance in terms of ohms, the lowest electric
current ever recorded, with the use of battery.
Cleve Backster – he created the numerical scoring on
the polygraph chart and standardizing quantitative
polygraph technique.
Francis Galton – he was credited for devising the
Word Association Test.
• John Reid – he developed improvement with the
conventional polygraph by incorporating
muscular resistance. His device was known as
the Reid Polygraph”.
• - He was also credited for the development of
the SAT and Control Question Test.
•  Dr. Marie Gabriel Romain Vigouroux – a
French electrotherapy specialist was first to
discover in 1879 the phenomenon we now know
as Electrodermal Response.
• Lafayette Instrument Company – founded in
1947 by Max Wastl, located in Lafayette,
Indiana, USA, dominates the international
polygraph market. It is the unconditional global
leader in the manufacture and sale of lie
detectors.
 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF LYING

• Lying – is the uttering or conveying falsehood or

creating a false or misleading impression with the
intention of wrongfully affecting the acts, opinion or
affection of another.
• Detection – the act of discovering the existence or
presence of something hidden or obscured.
• Fear – the emotional responses to specific dangers that
appear to be potentially beyond a person’s defensive
power. The lying person fears detection of the lie
causing psychological changes that can be recorded
with the use of Polygraph machine.
 TYPES OF LIAR

• Panic Liar. A person who lies to avoid the

consequences of confession. He is afraid of
embarrassment to loved ones and is a serious
blow to his ego.

• Occupational Liar. Is someone who has lied

for years. This person is a practiced liar and
lies when it has a higher payoff than telling
the truth.
• Tournament Liar. A person who loves to lie and is
excited by the challenge of not being detected. He
views an interview as another contest and wants to
win. He lies because it is the only weapon remaining
with which to fight. He wants people to believe that
the law is punishing an innocent person.

• Ethnological Liar. A person trained not to be a

squealer. This person loves to be interrogated and has
taken a creed never to reveal the truth, the creed of
underworld gangs.
• Pathological Liar. A person who cannot
distinguish what is right from wrong. These
are those who are mentally sick.
• Black Liar. It refers to a person who always
pretends and a hypocrite•
• Psychopathic Liar- no conscience/ lying will
cause death to somebody.
 Kinds OF LIES

• Direct Lie- A direct denial of the act in question that

creates an emotional sense of disturbance. This
disturbance refers to the conflict between what is true
and the attempted deception that creates an internal
battle in mind.
• Lie of Omission- This is the of lie that people usually
used because it is simple to tell. Individuals who make
use of this type of lie will tell the truth while omitting
details that could create possible troubles.
• Lie of Fabrication- This is the most challenging
type of lie a subject could use in an interview. The
subject will manufacture events to covet his true
acts.
• Lies of minimization- In this type of lie, individual
accept that something has but downplays the
implication.

• Lie of Exaggeration- Used to exaggerate things for

the hope of obtaining one advantage. This is also
found on résumés where applicants exaggerate.
• White Lie/Benign Lie- This is be most common
kind of lie; it is intended to protect or maintain the
harmony of friendship at home, in the office or
elsewhere.
• Pathological Lie- This is a lie made by persons who
cannot distinguish right from wrong. It must be
said that those persons are mentally sick or of low
caliber. In Polygraphy, impairment of the mind
must be established first before conducting any
examination; otherwise, the examination be
useless.
• Red Lie- This involves political interests and
motives because this is part of Communist
propaganda strategy'. This lie is prevalent in
Communist countries or Communist infested
countries. This is to destroy other ideologies
using propaganda brain-washing and black-mail
via espionage and treason.
• Black Lie- A lie which accompanies pretensions
and hypocrisies, intriguing to cause dishonor or
discredit one's good image.
• Malicious or Judicious Lie- This is a very pure
and unjustifiable kind of lie. This is intended
purely to mislead justice. The probable result
would be perjury and pure dishonesty to
obstruct justice.
 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

• It is consist of the brain, the spinal cord,

ganglia, nerve fibers end sensory end motor
terminals. These are grouped into the
integrated system called the central and
autonomic. The main function of the system
is to correlate the nerve impulses in the
motor centres thus acquainting the organism
with the environments and integrating the
nerve impulses into appropriate or adopted
responses.
 Polygraph and Autonomic Nervous System

• Medical authorities discovered that the autonomic

nervous system is responsible for the regulation of all
the complex systems and that its central control is in the
hypothalamus. The autonomic nervous system governs
all of the involuntary reflexes that cannot be consciously
controlled such as heart beat pulse rate increases and
decreases in blood pressure.
• The parasympathetic
Functions of the Parasympathetic Division
division carries on the
ordinary housekeeping of
the body, restoring food
reserves and observing
the body’s energy.
• The sympathetic division
Functions of the Sympathetic Division
strengthens the defenses
of the body against
various dangers such as
lack of water, extreme
temperatures, and energy
attack.
•SYSTOLIC PRESSURE. It is the measure of
the blood pressure when the heart
contracts to empty its blood into the
circulatory system.

•DIASTOLIC PRESSURE. It is the measure

of the blood pressure when the heart
relaxes and fills with blood.
1. FouR MAJOR
Cardiospygmograph-a COMPONENTS
device which OF POLYGRAPH
consist of blood pressure cuff and rubber
pump and is fastened around the
subject’s right arm. It records the changes
in pulse rate and blood pressure
 Cardio-sphygmograph Component

• Blood pressure cuff which is 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 to the system.
 Cardio-sphygmograph Component

• Pump bulb assembly which inflates air into the system,

also known as an air pump it has a hose connecting
the blood pressure cuff through which the blood
pressure changes and passed into the recording pen.
• Resonance control unit which is used for reducing or
increasing the amount of air pressure to reach the
brass bellows (tambour) and thus reduce or increase
the amplitude of pen excursions.
 Cardio-sphygmograph Component

• Centering control which is used to provide adjustment

of the tracing so that the composite records pattern
would be on the guideline.
• Vent which provides the means by which air in the
system can be released.
• Recording pen (5 inches long) which is used to record
blood pressure pulse rate changes on the chart paper
by means of a five (5) inch recording pen.
 Galvanograph

• Galvanograph- a component part of a polygraph

machine that is used to record the subjects skin
resistance to a small amount of electricity. It is made
up of electrodes attached to the finger of the left
hand, or to the index and ring finger of the left hand
or to the palmar or dorsal surface of the left hand.
 Component of galvanograph

• Finger electrodes 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 is usually 7 inches in length.
• Amplifier unit which is made to support the
galvanometer in converting electrical to mechanical
current.
 PNEUMOGRAPH

•is a device which records the changes of

respiration and breathing of the subject,
consisting of a ten (10) inches
convoluted tubes fastened together
around the subject’s abdomen and
chest.
 Component of pneumograph

• Rubber convoluted tube which is ten (10) inches in

length corrugated rubber attached to the chest and
abdominal area of the subject. One end of the tube
is sealed and the other end is connected to the
instrument by a rather thick walled rubber tube
considerably larger in diameter than the
pneumograph tube itself, it expands and contracts
as the subject breathes.
 Component of pneumograph

• Rubber convoluted tube which is ten (10) inches in length

corrugated rubber attached to the chest and abdominal
area of the subject.
• The beaded chain another component of the pneumograph
assembly is used to fix in place the rubber convoluted tube.
• Pneumograph recording unit is made up of brass bellows, a
frame, crankshaft, countershaft, adjustable fulcrum, baring
with adjusting screw, pen cradle and pen centering control.
Volume changes of the chest caused by breathing is
transmitted to the chest assembly to the recording uni
keymograph

• is a motorized component of the polygraph

machine that pull or drive the chart paper
under the recording pen at the rate of 6 to 12
inches per minute.
 Keymograph Component

• A motor which drive or pull the paper or chart under the

recording pen at the rate of 6 to 12 inches per minute.
• The chart must travel at uniform speed to facilitate valid
interpretations. Chart rolls are approximately 100 ft. Holes
spaced ½ inch apart. The paper is imprinted with
horizontal lines at ¼ inch interval twenty (20) divisions and
vertical lines at 1/10 inch interval with heavy lines at ½
inch divisions across the paper which represents 5
seconds of time.
 The Parts of KEYMOGRAPH:

•Rubber roller which pull the paper out

of the machine.
•Paper rail guide serves to secure or
ensure the chart paper’s forward
movement without shaking.
 LIMITATIONS AND RELIABILITY OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS

1. It is an invaluable aid but not a substitute for an

investigation.
2. It is not a lie detector but it is a scientific diagnostic
instrument.
3. It does not determine facts; it records responses in which
the subject knows to be true.
4. It is as accurate as the examiner is competent.
5. The test should not be administered unless enough facts of
the case have been established to permit the examiner to
prepare a complete set of suitable questions.
 LIMITATIONS AND RELIABILITY OF POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS

6. A test must not be administered without the voluntary consent of

the subject.
7. No indication or presumption of guilt will be entertained or a
written report submitted because the subject refuses to undergo
the test.
8. A test should not be administered until all accusations have been
explained and understood by the subject.
9. No attempt should be made on the use of polygraph machine in
testing physical or mental capacity of the subject.
10. The reliability of polygraph examination depends on the
examiner.
 Types of questions

• A. Irrelevant questions are those pertaining

to basic data and information regarding the
background of the subject not related to the
case but are ask to establish the normal
response of the subject. Eg. Name, address,
age etc.. Such questions is only answerable by
“Yes”.
 Types of questions

B. Relevant questions are those queries related to

the issue which may be classified as strong relevant
or weak relevant which indicate deception on the
part of the subject.
 Types of questions

Relevant questions are further classified with respect to

their stimulation effect as strong or primary relevant or
secondary or weak questions. Strong relevant or crucial
questions is 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. Secondary questions on the other and are
formulated and given to bring about guilty knowledge or
partial involvement”
Secondary or weak relevant questions is further classified
as either:
• 1) Sacrifice relevant questions that which
reveals subject’s norms & stimulus excitement
level and gives a clue which pertains to the
attitude of the subject’s acceptance; such as
“Do you wish to truthfully answer all the
questions?
• 2) Knowledge questions designed to test
whether the subject possesses information
regarding the location of the evidence, identity
of the suspect or other similar secondary
elements of the case under investigation.
• 3) Evidence connecting
questions is formulated to
arouse the guilty subject &
focus his attention on the
likelihood of incriminating
proof that would tend to
establish his guilt.
 C) Control questions which refers to
queries which may either be relevant or
irrelevant designed to establish & obtain
response from an innocent subject. It is
sometimes referred to as a probable lie. It
provides a basis for evaluating the subjects
perceptual set.
 TEST PROCEDURES

1.All test or polygraph examination must be conducted

only after having a pre-test interview with the subject to
condition him for the test;

2. The polygraph examination should consist of asking the

subject a list of not more than twelve (12) prepared
questions in a planned sequence.

3. There should be at least three (3) charts taken with

each chart which should not exceed for four (4) minutes
with a rest interval of fro five (5) to ten (10)minutes
between charts.
 TYPES OF TESTS

•General Question Test- answerable by

“Yes” or “No”, questions in which the
subject knows it to be true.
• Peak of Tension Test – refers to the series of
questions in which only one has a bearing on the
matter under investigation. This is conducted where
there is a widespread 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 pressure cuff is still
deflated. The subject is ask to choose one from seven
numbered cards, take it and return the same without
telling the examiner or otherwise identifying the chosen
number. The card is then shuffled by the examiner and
instruct the subject to answer “No” concerning the
cards when shown. This is to single out which among
the answers given by the subject is a lie. T
• Silent Answer Test -is a 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
being asked.
• Guilt Complex Test – in cases where the subject is overly
responsive, this test is given which consists of a test
pertaining to a purely fictitious incident of a similar
nature to the one under query. It is designed to compare
the responsiveness on it with those that appeared on the
actual test record wherein questions are those which
pertains to that which is under investigation. This test is
designed for diagnostic purpose to aid in the post
examination interrogation of a lying subject
• Mixed Question Test-
–This is consists of an arrangement of first
and third test questions, administered for
the purpose of discounting possible factor of
accidental responses and to compare the
degree of reaction between control and
relevant questions.
 ZONE COMPARISON TEST

ZONE- 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. The color coding according to Bacster are the
following:
a) Green zone- for the Control questions
b) Red zone- for the Relevant questions &
c) Black zone- for the Symptomatic questions
 Five (5) Variations of the Zone Comparison Test

• 1) The Matte Quadri-track Zone Comparison Technique- is a

polygraph technique used exclusively for single-issue tests. It
was developed by Matte after two years of research and
experimentation with fictitious crime test used in
conjunction with actual test in real-life situations. This test
also employ Backster’s basic test structure and quantification
system with some refinements and addition of another spot
consisting of a control/relevant question pair to deal with
examinees “fear of error” and the guilty examinees “hope of
error”.
• 2. The Backster Tri-Zone Comparison Technique- forms the
basis of the Quadri-Track Zone comparison technique,
therefore the definition of terms articulated there and the
methodology used in the administration of the technique is
applicable. Backster permits the use of inside track “fear of
error” control question and the “hope of error”. When the
Backster zone comparison technique does not incorporate
the fear/hope of error questions the only difference
remaining in the test structure between number one and
number two techniques is the position of symptomatic
questions which are opposite
• 3.The department of Defense Polygraph Institute
(DoDPI) Bi-Spot Zone Comparison Technique The First
zone contains the relevant questions concerning,
Primary, Secondary and S-K-Y (Suspicion Knowledge You
questions.The second zone, is used when there is only
one question or issue that must be addressed in the
examination.
• 4. Integrated Zone comparison Technique-developed in
1987 by Nathan J. Gordon, William M. Waid and Philip
M. Cocheti. This technique has the most significant
departure from the original zone comparison technique
developed by Cleve Bacster
5. The Utah Zone Comparison Technique- the
structure of this technique is basically the same
for single issue test as it is for multiple issue
tests. However instead of using relevant question
that embraces several facts of a crime or matter
under investigation, the single issue test uses
relevant question that addressed a single issue
only.
General Rules to be followed in formulating
Test Questions:
1. Questions must be short as possible.
2. Questions must be direct and simple.
3. Questions should not be in the form of an accusation. 14 4. All queries
must be answerable by “yes” or “no”.
5. The terms to be used should be clear & understood by the subject.
6. All questions must refer to must refer to one offense only.
7. All questions must refer to one element of a felony.
8. Questions must not involve legal terminologies.
9. All questions should not contain inferences to one’s knowledge, religion,
race, ideology or belief.
 PHASES INVOLVED IN THE
CONDUCT OF POLYGRAPH TEST
• Initial Interview
PHASES INVOLVED IN THE CONDUCT OF POLYGRAPH TEST
• Pre-test Interview
• Actual Test
• Post Test Interview
 Initial interview
• I.Initial Interview with the Investigator
• This phase includes:
• Acquiring and evaluating the facts.
• Determining the areas the subject needs to be asked.
• The investigator must furnish the examiner the following:
– Sworn statement of the suspect, witness and victim/complainant;
– Incident report;
– Background Investigation (BI) of suspects, witnesses, and victim/ complainant;
and,
– Rough sketch or pictures of the scene and other facts such as:
• specific article and the exact amount of money stolen,
• a peculiar aspect of the offense or any strange set,
• the exact time the crime was committed,
• known facts about the suspect's action or movement,
• facts indicating any connection between the suspects, victim, and witnesses,
• the exact type of weapon or tools use, and,
• laboratory test.
 Initial interview
• specific article and the exact amount of money stolen,
• a peculiar aspect of the offense or any strange set,
• the exact time the crime was committed,
• known facts about the suspect's action or movement,
• facts indicating any connection between the suspects, victim,
and witnesses,
• the exact type of weapon or tools use, and,
• laboratory test.
 II.Pre-Test Interview

• The pre-test interview is conducted between the examiner and the

subject.
This phase includes:
– The appraisal of subject's constitutional right;
– Obtain subject's consent to undergo polygraph test by signing a statement of consent;
– The taking of personal data of the subject;
– Determine the suitability as a subject;
– Clinical observation of the subject;
– Evaluating the psychological preparation of the subject;
– Informing the subject of his involvement of the offense; and,
– To obtain his written consent, this must be voluntarily and freely given.
 III. Conduct of Instrumentation or Actual Test

• After the pre-test interview, the examiner should proceed to place the attachment of
polygraph components on the subject. In practice, the first to be attached is the
Pneumograph, followed by the Cardiograph and the Galvanograph. Review all the questions
being prepared with the subject before the actual examination is made. The examiner
should discourage any lengthy comments or statement by the subject respecting the matter
of incident under or his disclaimer of responsibility for it.

• YES OR NO answer
 KINDS OF RESPONSE

1. Normal Responses are responses of the subject

that has no bearing on the matter under
investigation.

2. Specific Responses are responses which contain

deviations or signs of deception which has direct
bearing on the matter under investigation.
 CHART MARKING AND INTERPRETATION

• The Descriptive Types of Breathing:

–a) Normal
–b) Rapid
–c) Slow
–d) Shallow
–e) Deep
–f) Serrated inhalation or exhalation or both
–g) Deviations caused by coughing or mechanics of
answering
 FOUR (4) CLASSIFICATIONS OR SEGMENTS OF A
POLYGRAPH CHART/TRACINGS:

• 1. The Average Tracing Segment- a segment within a

tracing that shows no physiological evidence of a
change in the emotional level within the stress area
on the polygraph chart. (Backster 1970, Matte
1980). This is also known as Tomic level (Weinstein
1995, DoDPI 1996).
 FOUR (4) CLASSIFICATIONS OR SEGMENTS OF A
POLYGRAPH CHART/TRACINGS:

• 2. The Reaction Tracing Segment- a segment within

a tracing that shows physiological evidence that tha
sympathetic subdivisions of the autonomic nervous
system has become more active, indicating a
psychological change from the subjects average
emotional level. (Backster 1970, Matte 1980). This is
also known as Phasic or Tomic Response (Weinstein
1995, DoDPI 1996).
 FOUR (4) CLASSIFICATIONS OR SEGMENTS OF A
POLYGRAPH CHART/TRACINGS:

3. The Relief Tracing Segment-is a segment within a

tracing that shows physiological evidence that tha
parasympathetic subdivision of the autonomic
nervous system has become more active following
the stress area on the polygraph chart, indicating a
psychological return to the subject’s exhibited
average emotional level (Backster 1970, Matte
1980).This condition is also known as Homeostatic
Change (Weinstein 1995, DoDPI 1996).
 FOUR (4) CLASSIFICATIONS OR SEGMENTS OF A
POLYGRAPH CHART/TRACINGS:

4. The Distortion Tracing Segment- refers to a

segment within a tracing that departs from the
average emotional level but lacks physiological
evidence of either sympathetic or parasympathetic
activation within the stress area on the polygraph
chart, indicating absence of psychological origin
 PNEUMOGRAPH TRACINGS INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION

a) Change in amplitude or volume;

b) Change in rhythm or regularity; Ex. Shallow
c) Change in the inhalation and/or exhalation ratio;
d) Change of baseline;
e) Loss of baseline;
f) Hyperventilation; (deep breathing)
g) Suppression;
h) Respiratory block.
 GALVANOGRAPH TRACINGS INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION

• The galvanograph tracing is located at the center portion of the chart when properly
balanced
• takes the form of a slightly wavering line across the middle portion of the chart with a minor
response to spoken stimuli. The ff are the tracings:
• a) Vertical rise at point of deception;
• b) Double saddle response;
• c) Plunging galvo tracing;
• d) Long degree and/or duration of response following point of deception.
 CARDIOSPHYGMOGRAPH TRACINGS INDICATIVE OF DECEPTION

• The tracing is usually found at the bottom of the chart & it records the activity of the heart which
is made up of three physiological phenomena: a systolic rate; a diastolic stroke & a dicrotic notch.
The normal pulse rate of an average individual is 72 to 80 beats per minute. The tracings are the
following:
• a) Increase or decrease in amplitude;
• b) Increase or decrease in pulse rate;
• c) Increase or decrease in blood pressure;
• d) Change in the position or disappearance of dicrotic notch;
• e) Extra systoles –which is the premature contraction of an auricle or ventricle
• while the fundamental rhythm of the heart is maintained.
 SIGNS AND SYMBOLS USED IN CHART MARKING

1. X
a. X indicates the beginning or start of the test.
b. Inform the subject that the test is about to begin
c. X is placed on the cart below the cardio tracing
d. Wait for 15 to 20 seconds before asking the first question to record the normal pattern
of the subject.
2. XX
a. XX indicates the end or ending of the test
b. Mark XX below the cardio tracing
c. Inform the subject that the test is about to end by giving the subject instruction to sit
properly, the test is about to end, blood pressure cuff will be released in a moment and deactivate
the instrument after 10 seconds without stimulus insertion
 SIGNS AND SYMBOLS USED IN CHART MARKING

1. X
a. X indicates the beginning or start of the test.
b. Inform the subject that the test is about to begin
c. X is placed on the cart below the cardio tracing
d. Wait for 15 to 20 seconds before asking the first question to record the normal pattern
of the subject.
2. XX
a. XX indicates the end or ending of the test
b. Mark XX below the cardio tracing
c. Inform the subject that the test is about to end by giving the subject instruction to sit
properly, the test is about to end, blood pressure cuff will be released in a moment and deactivate
the instrument after 10 seconds without stimulus insertion
3. / //
• When a question is asked, a vertical line is placed on
the chart below the cardio tracing.
• The single vertical line indicates the beginning of the
question and the double lines indicate the ending of
the question.
3. Question Numbering
a) Extreme care should be made to ensure that
the correct question number is used to identify
the question asked and to prevent
misinterpretation of the tests charts.
b) The numbering of the question on the chart of
can be done between the stimulus mark,
either below or to the right of the stimulus
marking.
4. +(plus), - (minus), and No sign
• Plus sign (+) (-) indicates that the subject answer the
question with YES, minus sign (-) indicates that the
subject answer is NO. No should be placed when the
subject fails to answer.
• Signs are placed below or at the right side of the
number of the question.
• T-Talking
• C-Cough
• M- Movements
• I-mechanical adjustments
• CT-Clearing the Throat
• OSN - outside noise
• PJ - paper jam
• CT - clearing of throat
• OSN - outside noise
• DB - deep breat1
• SN – sniff
• MRH - movement of right hand
• MLH - movement of left hand
• Y – yawn
• S- sigh