LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES

Mr. Jake Allarte

School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
Polygraphy 2. Confession
- is scientific methods of detecting deception done with - direct acknowledgement of guilt or a statement of guilt.
the aid of a polygraph machine. 3. Deception
- is the act of deceiving or misleading usually
Polygraph accompanied by lying.
- (derived from the Greek words Poly) = many or several
and Graph = (writing chart) is a scientific instrument 4. Diastolic blood pressure
capable of recording simultaneously changes in blood - refers to the downward blood pressure representing the
pressure, pulse rate, respiration and skin resistance as low pressure to the closing of the valves and heart
indicative of emotional disturbance especially of a lying relaxed.
subject when being questioned.
Thomas Jefferson (first man to used the word 5. Dicrotic notch
“polygraph”) Polygraph machine is a sensitive machine - refers to the short horizontal notch in a cardio-tracing
which is likened or compared to an X-ray, which located at the middle of the diastolic stem.
requires proper interpretation for validation and its
accuracy is said to be directly proportional to the 6. Electrodermal response
knowledge, skills, education, desire, competency and - it refers to human body phenomenon in which the skin
integrity of the operator. Hence, the attitude of “let’s put changes resistance electrically upon the application of
them on the lie box” should be firmly discouraged. There certain external stimuli. Also referred to a Psycho galvanic
are three fundamental bases on the polygraph test and skin reflex or galvanic skin response.
they are:
7. Emotion
1. Mechanical Leg basic Premise - it refers to an emotional response to specific danger
- polygraph is capable of making graphic record that appears to be beyond a person’s defensive power.
containing reliable information regarding physiological
responses of the subject. 8. Environment
- is the sum total of the dissimulation that a person
2. Physiological Leg basic Premise acquired from the time he was conceived and his
- that among the physiological responses that may be exposure to his surroundings.
recorded are those that automatically occur only
following the stimulation of specific nervous component 9. Heredity
system. - is the transmission of physical and mental traits of the
parents to their offspring through the genes.
3. Psychological Leg Basic Premise
- states that specific nervous system component 10. Interview
whose stimulation can thus be diagnosed are so - simple questioning of one who is willing and
stimulated by the involuntary and emotional processes of cooperative.
the individual who is continuously attempting
concealment of deception especially if that individual has 11. Interrogation
something at stake and the prevailing circumstances - forceful questioning of a person who is reluctant to
lead him to believe that exposure to deception is quite divulge information.
possible although undesirable.
12. Lying
Definition of Terms - is the act of uttering or conveying falsehood or creating
1. Admission a false or misleading impression with the intention of
- is a statement of facts, partial acknowledgement of guilt affecting wrongfully.
and usually given with some justification or
exemplification in admitting. 13. Normal response
 LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
- refers to any activity or inhibition of a previous activity - not admissible in court to prove the guilt of the
of an organism or part of the organism resulting from subject.
stimulation. - cannot be conducted if insufficient amount of
information were gathered.
14. Ordeal - minors, mentally-ill or retarded are exempted.
- refers to the oldest form of crime detection done by - cannot be conducted to unfit subject.
subjecting a subject to an obstacle or trial and - polygraph machine is not a lie detector machine.
sometimes even involving third degree. - the accuracy of the machine is directly
proportion to the credibility of the
15. Specific response examiner.
- refers to the response given by the subject which - cannot be used for diagnostic purposes.
considered a deviation from the normal tracing or norms
of the subject. 2. Use of Alcoholic Beverages
- the subject is made to drink hard liquor in such a
16. Stimulus mount that would make him lose control or
- refers to any force or motion coming from the inhibitions.
environment and which reach an organism has the - information gathered through this method is not
tendency to arouse. admissible in court.

17. Systolic Blood pressure 3. Narco-Analysis Test/Administration of Truth

- the upward blood pressure as the apex of the curve Serum
caused by the contraction of the heart, valves are open - use of narcotic or anaesthetic drug.
and blood is rushing into the arteries. - drugs injected hypodermically or intravenously.
- dangerous and not admissible.
Ayur Vida
- a hindu book of science and health around 500B.C. 4. Word Association Test
Considered as an earliest known reference to a method - group of words, objects or photographs will be
of detecting deception. presented.
- time pressure.
Early Methods of Detecting Deception This was first devised by F. Galton in 1870 and
Trial by Combat later was modified and improved by others such as
One of the ancient practice of detecting deception Munsterberg, Orosland, Luria and Jung. In the
whereby an accuser will fight against the accused or will Galton’s technique there are two main criteria for
hire a champion to fight the accused in a duel, detecting indications of deception and these are: (1)
whosoever lost the duel, will be adjudged guilty. Incriminating answer words, and (2) Delayed
answer.
Methods of Ordeal
1. Red hot Iron Ordeal (Accused touch his tongue 5. Use of Hypnotism
to an extremely hot metal for nine (9) times.) - information gathered through this method is also
2. Boiling Water Ordeal (Practice by Borotso Native not admissible in court.
in Bengal India) -
3. Balance Ordeal Development of the Polygraph
4. Rice Chewing Ordeal
5. The red Water Ordeal A. Cardiosphygmograph
6. The Donkey’s tail ordeal a. Cesare Lombroso (1895) - Credited to be the first to
7. The ordeal of the axe etc. conceived the idea of utilizing scientific lie detection
b. Angelo Mosso (1895) - Utilized a scientific cradle and
Scientific Methods of Detecting Deception focus on the importance of fear as a strong influence to
1. Polygraphy test deception
- aid and not a substitute or replacement for c. William M. Marston (1915) - He made used of a
investigation. sphygmomanometer and focus on the importance of the
 LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
Systolic Blood pressure. He also devised the kymograph component and pen and inking system to
discontinuous technique in questioning. serve as the recording mechanism.
d. John A. Larson (1921) - Devised the so-called
“Bread Lie Detector”, a scientific instrument capable of 1. Pneumograph – designed to detect changes in
simultaneously recording changes in blood pressure, respiration of the subject consisting of the Chest and the
pulse beat and respiration. Abdominal Assembly with sub part:
B. Galvanograph a. Rubber Convulated Tube – a 10 inches
a. Sticker - Works on the galvanograph component and corrugated rubber attached to the body of the
study the influence of the sweat glands to skin subject.
resistance. b. Beaded Chain – used to lock the rubber
b. Veraguth - Formulated the term Psycho-galvanic skin convulated tube.
reflex following the study of sticker c. Recording pen unit – consisting of two 5 inches
c. Richard O. Arthur - The person who developed a recording pen.
polygraph machine with two galvanic skin resistance. d. Resonance Control Unit
e. Centering knob
C. Pneumograph f. Sensitivity knob
a. Vittorio Bennussi - Focus on the formulation of the
Inhalation and Exhalation ratio. 2. Cardiosphygmograph – Designed to detect changes
b. Harold Burtt - Considered respiration as a weak in blood pressure and pulse beat of the subject
basis in determining deception and incorporate the a. Blood pressure Cuff – attached to the upper
systolic blood pressure to respiration. right arm of the subject, above the brachial
artery.
D. Keymograph b. Sphygmomanometer – used to indicate the
Leonarde Keeler amount of air pressure inflated to
- Developed the kymograph machine and the Keeler’s the system. Usually about 60 mm of mercury for
Polygraph in the year 1926 as one of the great male subject.
advancement to the development of the polygraph c. Resonance Control Unit
machine. d. Recording pen unit – five (5) inches length
e. Air Pump – designed to supply air to the system
OTHER PERSONALITIES:
John E. Reid – Developed the Reid Polygraph with an 3. Galvanograph – to detect changes in skin resistance
incorporation of muscular resistance ompare to the of the subject.
Keelers and the Stoelting. Also developed the SAT test a. Finger Electrode Assembly consists of:
and Control Question Test. 1. finger electrode plate and retainer bond
- attached to the left index and ring finger
of the subject.
Francis Galton - Formulated the Word Association test. 2. connecting plug – designed to attached
the system to the machine
Cleve Backster - Formulated the Numerical Scoring on
the polygraph chart and standardizing quantitative b. Recording pen unit – usually 7 inches
polygraph technique. c. Amplifier Unit – designed to support the
galvanometer in converting electrical to mechanical
current.
Sir James Mackenzie - a heart specialist who published
in two British journal the machine he used in his work Kymograph – serves as the paper feed mechanism of
and named it “INK POLYGRAPH” the polygraph machine. The one that records the
different trracing by driving the paper out under a
The Major Components and its Parts: recording pen unit.
The Polygraph machine is basically composed a. Chart – (approximately 100 ft.) rolled graph
paper composed of twelve division in one
of three major components serving as the detecting
minutes run designed to measure the rate of
mechanism and five major sections by adding various body functioning.
 LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
b. Cutter bar - used to cut the paper at the end of 5. the subject should not be highly nervous.
the test Etc.
c. Rubber roller – the one responsible for pulling
the paper out of the machine. 2. Actual Test
d. Pen table - flat portion where the pen writes on Is the actual conduct of the test administered by
the chart. a polygraph examiner:
e. Paper rail guide – serves as the security for the Condition of the room
unnecessary movement of the chart paper or to 1. It should be spacious for two
ensure the paper’s forward movement without 2. Well lighted
shaking. 3. Well ventilated
f. Synchronous motor - to run the chart paper at 4. Sound Proof
the uniform rate speed regardless of the voltage 5. Not decorated
change.
3. Post-test Interview or Interrogation
Pen and inking system - the one that provides for the Is an interview or an interrogation administered by a
permanent record of the test. polygraph examiner after the test designed to obtain
confession or admission by the subject. An interview is
Stages in the Conduct of the Polygraph Test: conducted when the subject indicates an innocent
Initial Interview response and very cooperative to the examiner. An
Conducted by an investigator handling the case, interrogation is conducted when the subject shows sign
designed for the obtaining of pertinent information of deception and being uncooperative to open an
necessary for the conduct of the test. This is falling short information.
of the basic process of investigation. All information
gathered by the investigator will be copied furnished to Types of Reaction
the investigator. As a rule no polygraph test can be 1. Internal Reaction – reaction of the internal organs
conducted if there is insufficient amount of data which may not be readily noticeable.
gathered. 2. External Reaction – rreaction of an individual which
are observable and which can either be:
1. Pre-test Interview a. Facial
An interview conducted by the polygraph b. Postural
examiner designed to prepare or condition the subject
for the actual test. It usually last for about 20 – 30 General Rules in formulating Test Questions:
minutes. There are four basic things being undertaken in 1. Questions must be simple and direct
this stage. 2. They must not involve legal terminologies
a. Informing the subject of His Basic Constitutional 3. They must be as simple and as short as possible
Rights 4. Answerable by Yes or No.
1. Right to remain silent 5. They must not be in a form of accusatorial.
2. Right to be informed of the nature and the 6. Their meaning must be clear and they must be
cause of his accusation phrased in a language that the subject can easily
3. Right to council understand.
4. Right against self-incrimination 7. They must never contain inference which
presupposes knowledge on the part of the subject.
b. Taking of the subject consent 8. They must refer to one offense only
c. Taking of the subject personal data sheet 9. They must refer to one element of the offense.
d. Determining the subject physical, mental and 10. They must not contain inference to one’s religion,
psychological suitability to undergo the test race or belief.

1. the subject should stop from smoking at Types of Questions

least 2 hours prior to the test 1. Irrelevant
2. the subject should avoid taking drugs at - questions pertaining to the basic background of the
least 12 hrs before the test subject and are generally not related to the case in
3. the subject if female should not be: issue but are designed to obtain or established the
pregnant, having menstruation or not individual norms of the subject.
wearing tight shirt or girdle. d.4 the subject - answerable by “yes”.
should not be hungry - designed to absorb the initial response as to the
4. the subject should not be physically or question sequence
emotional abuse
 LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES
Mr. Jake Allarte
School of Criminology
A.Y. 2023-2024 I 2nd Wave I Second Trimester
- commence and to produce little or no emotion 4. Guilt Complex Test
change in the subjects normal reaction under - used primarily for overly responsive subjects.
testing condition - a totally fictitious incident but a similar nature to
2. Relevant the matter being investigated
- the primary of key questions asked by the examiner and make him believe it is real.
in order to resolve specific subject matter - The purpose is to compare the response with
- questions related to the issue which may either be: those response made concerning the actual
matter under investigation
a. Strong Relevant 5. Silent Answer test
- directly proving the guilt of the subject - Subject is instructed not to give any verbal
- questions with intense and specific relation to answer; the subject will only answer in his mind.
the crime or problem being considered. 6. Yes test
- Constructed to test for direct involvement only 7. No test
and specifically to produced emotional response 8. Guilt complex test
in guilty subject. 9. Mixed test
- consist essentially of an arrangement of the first
b. Weak Relevant and third test questioned.
- indirectly proving the guilt of the subject and is - administered response on earlier test or to
further sub-divided into three: compare the degree of reaction between
1. Knowledge – questions given for the relevant and control questions
purposes of determining information
known or the subject possess.
2. Evidence Connecting – designed to
obtain link between the subject and the
crime.
3. Sacrifice – questions designed to
determine truthfulness of the subject.

c. Control Questions
- questions that either relevant or irrelevant
designed to established response from an
innocent subject.
- further classified into primary based on a known
lie and secondary control question.

Types of Test
1. General Question Test
- consist of series of relevant and irrelevant
questions in a planned order.
2. Peak of Tension test
- consist of only one relevant and a series of
irrelevant questions.
- resemble, in every general way, the card test,
for it consist essentially of the asking of a series
of question in which only one has any bearing
upon the matter under investigation.
- padding questions before the after the relevant
questions.
3. Card test
- the subject is presented with seven (7)
previously numbered cards face down.
- he will be instructed to take one, look at it and
return it with the rest of the cards.
- the examiner will shuffle the cards and each
card will be shown to him, with the instruction
that he will answer “NO” to all cards , even if the
one being shown to him is the one he has seen
earlier.