Lie Detection Techniques

RT MSCRIM
LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES

FEDERICO E TAVARA JR MSCRIM

LIE DETECTION TECHNIQUES

Lie Detection Techniques

Chapter 1
Need to Know Concepts

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the chapter, students should be able to:

 Define & discuss the term Polygraphy, Polygraph and Lie Detection

RT MSCRIM
 State and discuss the objectives, uses and significance of Polygraph examination
 Distinguish & explain the different types of liars and lies
 Discuss the theory of lie detection, theory of lying person and role of the ANS in the Polygraph
examination
 Explain and demonstrate the signs and symptoms of lies/deception
 Enumerate and discuss the problems of police on interrogation

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LIE DETECTION

1.) INTRODUCTION

In the middle of the 19 th century, Dr. Hans Gross, an Austrian known as the
“Father of Criminalistics”, defined “SEARCH FOR TRUTH” as the basis and goal of
all criminal investigations. He asserted that “a large part of the criminalist’s work is
nothing more than a battle against lies. He has to discover the truth and must
fight the opposite. He meets the opposite at every step.

The searches for truth and attempts at uncovering falsehood have been a
universal and almost constant endeavor dating back at ancient times. In their
attempt to discover deception, primitive societies developed complex
procedures founded on magic and mysticism. The doors to the truth, divine
creatures sent messages through fire, boiling water and torture. In some instances,
faith in this powerful mysticism miraculously allowed the innocent to go unscathed
while the guilty bore the mark of guilt.

Some of these rituals were based on sound physiological principles. Oriental

people for example distinguished truth form lying by having the entire
accused chew dry rice and then spit it out. While this was a simple task for the
honest, those who were deceiving has difficulty in accomplishing this task and were
then judged to be guilty and punished accordingly. This practice recognized that
fear slows the digestive process, including salivation. Thus, the deceptive were
unable to spit out the dry rice, while the innocent, having faith in the power of their
deity to clear them of the unjust accusation, felt little fear in contrast to the guilty
who know they would be discovered.
Lie Detection Techniques

In every criminal investigation, the truth must be established to ensure

proper prosecution of offenders. Criminal investigators must exert all effort to
determine lying not only on the part of the suspect but as well as to everyone
involved in the criminal act – witnesses, victims, etc.

In establishing the truth, criminal investigators apply various methods such

as: observation; mechanical lie detection; use of drugs that inhibits the

RT MSCRIM
“inhibitor”; hypnosis; and interrogation.

RELEVANT TERMS:

LIE DETECTION

 It is the system or practice of determining whether or not somebody is telling

the truth during questioning.
 AKA “deception detection”/ “Detection of Deception”

LIE

 Any untruthful statement; Falsehood; Anything that deceives or creates false

impression;
 To make untrue statements knowingly, especially with intent to deceive; To
give an erroneous or misleading impression;
LYING

 the uttering or conveying falsehood or creating a false or, misleading

impression with intention of wrongfully affecting the act, option or affection of
others.

DECEPTION

 is an act of deceiving or misleading which is usually accomplished by lying.

DETECTION

 is the act of discovering the existence or presence of something hidden or

obscured.

POLYGRAPHY

 It is the scientific method of detecting deception with the use of a polygraph

instrument.
Lie Detection Techniques

 derived from the two Greek words:

o POLY - means “Many” or “More” and
o GRAPHOS - Which means “Writings”
 Literally: “many writings”

POLYGRAPH

RT MSCRIM
 It is a scientific diagnostic instrument used to record physiological changes in
the blood pressure, pulse beat/rate, respiration and skin resistance (galvanic-
skin-reflex or GSR) of an examinee as indicative of emotional excitement
especially of lying when questioned.

Other name of the Polygraph?

It is also called “Truth Verifier” since statistics show that is the vast
majority of the instances the instrument verifies an innocent person’s
truthfulness.

It is also known as “deceptograph”

Lie Detector

 It is the popular but misleading name of the Polygraph. In Greek, Polygraph

means “many writings” and the instrument was so named because it make
various ink recordings of a person’s body functions.

EMOTION

● is a complex state of feeling involving conscious experience, internal and

external physical responses, and power to motivate the organism to action.

STIMULUS

 is the force or motion reaching the organism from the environment and
excites the preceptors
 It is something that causes a physiological response in a cell, a
tissue, or an organism. Stimuli can be internal or external.

REACTION

 is any activity aroused in an organism by a stimulus, which is of mental

process.
  Instinctive and automatic: Driven by emotions and immediate
impulses.
  Often unconscious: Little to no conscious thought involved.
Lie Detection Techniques

  Can be impulsive and uncontrolled: May lead to unintended

consequences.
  Example: Jumping back when startled by a loud noise

RESPONSE

 is any reaction, usually of muscular or glandular processes that depends

RT MSCRIM
upon stimulation.
  Thoughtful and deliberate: Involves conscious consideration and
evaluation.
  Based on reason and analysis: Takes into account the situation and
potential outcomes.
  More controlled and intentional: Allows for a more measured and
appropriate action.
  Example: Carefully considering your options before making a decision
about a job offer.

SPECIFIC RESPONSE

 is one that is exhibited by a subject to a particular question, which is a

deviation from his norm

NORMAL RESPONSE

 refers to any activity or inhibition of a previous activity of an organism or part

of the organism resulting from stimulation.

ELECTRODERMAL RESPONSE

 it refers to human body phenomenon in which the skin changes resistance

electrically upon the application of certain external stimuli. Also referred to a
Psycho galvanic skin reflex or galvanic skin response.

What is Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)?

 Galvanic skin response (GSR), also known as electrodermal activity (EDA) or
skin conductance (SC), is a measure of the electrical conductivity of the skin.
 This conductivity changes based on the amount of sweat produced by the
sweat glands.
 Sweat gland activity is controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS),
particularly the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).
How Does it Work?
1. Emotional Arousal: When a person experiences an emotional response (e.g.,
excitement, fear, stress), the SNS is activated.
2. Sweat Gland Activation: The SNS signals the sweat glands to become more
active, increasing sweat production.
3. Increased Conductivity: Sweat contains electrolytes, which increase the skin's
ability to conduct electricity.
Lie Detection Techniques

4. Measurement: GSR measures these changes in electrical conductivity.

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

RT MSCRIM
arteries.

DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE

 refers to the downward blood pressure representing the low pressure to the
closing of the valves and heart relaxed.

SUBJECT

 refers to any person undergoing polygraph examination.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINER/POLYGRAPHIST

 one conducting the polygraph examination or test.

POLYGRAPH TEST/EXAMINATION

 is the whole process of questioning or taking of one chart from a series of

questions or all of the charts and questions sheet used in the test

POLYGRAPH CHART/ POLYGRAM

 refers to the recorded tracing of all the emotional patterns permanently on

the charts or graphs from series of questions
Lie Detection Techniques

2.) HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

“SCIENTIST WHO CONTRIBUTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLYGRAPH”

A. THE DEVELOPMENT OF CARDIOSPYMOGRAPH


RT MSCRIM
1. ANGELO MOSSO – 1895

He studied fear influence on the heart and his observation subsequently

forms the basis for detecting technique.
He developed a type of sphygmomanometer and scientific cardio for the
study of fear.
 He made the PLETHYSMOGRAPH (an instrument used to measure the
changes in the heart beat and respiration.

2. CESAR LOMBROSO – 1895

 An Italian scientist
 He was accorded the distinction being the first person to utilize an instrument
for the purpose of detecting lies.
 He employed the first scientific instrument to detect deception.
 This machine is called Hydrosphymograph it measures changes in pulse and
blood pressure when suspect were questioned about their involvement in a
particular offense.

HYDROSPHYGMOGRAPH - An instrument for the purpose of detecting lie,

through Blood Pressure

 Procedure on the use of the “HYDROSPHYGMOGRAPH” in detecting

deception:
(a) Subject’s hand placed in a water filed tank sealed with
membranes of rubber;
(b) Subject will be shown pictures connected with the crime or
mention will be made to relevant facts of the crime;
(c) Pulsation of blood in fist were recorded on smoked drum.

 . He believes that there is such a thing as born criminal (false). Through

stigmata, you can determine a person who can be a criminal.

**Stigmata – bodily marks like Christ wounds impressed supernaturally

Lie Detection Techniques

3. DR. WILLIAM Moulton MARSTON – 1915

 He conducted numerous tests for detecting deception utilizing the changes in

systolic blood pressure
 He favored discontinuous method of reading systolic blood pressure
 He also experimented with galvanograph which register changes in skin
resistance to record tension.
 He dealt with the SPHYGMOMANOMETER which was used to obtain periodic

RT MSCRIM
discontinuous blood pressure readings during the course of an examination;
 He also experienced with and helped to develop the pneumograph, which
records breathing patterns, and the galvanometer, which registers changes in
skin resistance.

4. JOHN A. LARSON – 1921

 He devised an instrument capable of continuously recording blood pressure

changes, pulse rate and respiration.
 In the year 1921. He also was the first to use more than one recording to
detect deception
 First Inventor of American Polygraph Machine
 He also developed broad board lie detector which was polygraphic, apparatus
in portable form.

5. LEONARD KEELER –1926

 Father of MODERN POLYGRAPHY.

 He Continued research and development of the polygraph. In 1949, he
invented the Keeler Polygraph with components that simultaneously recorded
changes in blood pressure, pulse and respiration, as well as the newly
developed galvanic skin reflex..
 He devised the chart roll paper, a better method of questioning, and
incorporated the kymograh.
 He also devised a metal bellows.
 In the year 1926 the polygraph included in addition to units for recording
blood pressure, pulse, respiration and galvanic skin reflex or
electrodermal response known as GSR.
 Gained the first-hand experience in polygraph interrogation

B. THE DEVELOPMENT OF GALVANOGRAPH COMPONENT

1. LUIGI GALVANI – 1791

Lie Detection Techniques

 An Italian physiologist who was accorded the distinction for developing the
galvanic skin reflex (GSR) or the GALVANOMETER, which records electrical
bodily resistance in terms of ohms (the lowest current ever recorded).
The GSR reflected emotional changes in person’s skin resistance
through electricity.

2. STICKER – 1897

RT MSCRIM
 He made the first suggestion for using galvanograph for detecting deception
base on the works of several predecessors.
 He theorized that galvanic skin reflex is influence by existing mental
impression and that will had no effect upon it.
 First Inventor of Polygraph Machine.
 He invented the first lie detector using Electro dermal response.

3. VERGUTH – 1926

 He was the first who used the term psycho-galvanic reflex.

 He believed that electrical phenomena are due to the activity of sweat
glands.

3. RICHARD O. ARTHUR

 The person who developed a polygraph machine with two galvanic skin
resistance.

4. FERE – (1888)

 French Scientist
 Discovered that electro dermal response is caused by an increase in the
action of the heart and vital energy converted with human emotions.
 He asserted that human body has the ability to generate store, discharged
high voltage of static electricity.

5. D’ARSONVAL

 French Scientist
 Declared that electricity is generated by the body and named External
Friction as source of generation.
 He assorted those sweat glands which the body at times store the electricity
and at other times discharged them.

6. PAUL WILHELM AND DONALD BURNS (1951)

 Michigan City, Indiana, USA, (Independent Lie Detector Specialists)

Lie Detection Techniques

 Invented an Electronic Psychometric using Electrodermal Response as a basis

for lie detection.
 Both have proven that results of lie detection test (during) using their
instrumental 95% accurate.

C. THE DEVELOPMENT OF PNEUMOGRAPH COMPONENT

RT MSCRIM
1. VITTORIO BENUSSI – 1914

 Successfully detected deception with a pneumograph, an instrument

that graphically measures an examinee’s inhalation and exhalation
 He noted changes in respiration ratio during deception.
 He demonstrated that changes in breathing patterns accompany
deception. He recorded respiratory course with the pneumograph
component.

2. HAROLD E. BURTT – 1918

 He determine the respiratory changes was indication of deception

 He found that changes in systolic blood pressure were of greater value
in determining deception than in changes respiration.

D. THE DEVELOPMENT OF KYMOGRAPH

1. LEONARDE KEELER

 Developed the kymograph machine and the Keeler’s Polygraph in the

year 1926 as one of the great advancement to the development of the
polygraph machine.

E. THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUESTIONING TECHNIQUE

1. LEONARD KEELER – 1942

 Developed the “Relevant-Irrelevant” (I/R)Test.

 He also added the “personally embarrassing question” (EPQ) to his I/R
technique, designed to elicit a reaction only from the innocent subject.
EPQ ceased in 1951.
 He included the un-reviewed question or “surprise question” that serves
the same purpose as the EPQ.
 He was also credited with introducing the “card test” and specialized in
“peak of tension test”.

2. JOHN E. REID - 1950

Lie Detection Techniques

 He developed the Control Question Test consisting of known lie

incorporated into I/R test.
 He also discovered the “guilt-complex test” administered to the overly
responsive subject.

3. CLEVE BACKSTER – 1960

RT MSCRIM
 He conceived the psychological set theory that forms the basis of his
zone of comparison technique that provides constant monitoring of the
subject’s reactivity and designed to disclose outside issue. This is known
as the “Backster Zone Comparison Test” technique.

F. OTHERS PIONEERS IN THE FIELD OF DECEPTION DETECTION:

1. MUNSTERBURG (1908)

 Proposed that lie test based on lie detector should be admissible as evidence
in court.
 The detection is based on using blood pressure variations for deception
detection.
 He advocates the used of lie detection in court.
 But it was not known if the same was followed.
2. LEONARD KEELER – 1926

 He devised metal recording bellows

 Rolled chart paper
 Incorporated galvanograph with the measurement of blood pressure and
respiration
 Method of question
 Kymograph

3. DARROW (1930)

 Devised a research photo polygraph which records several responses

simultaneously, which are;
A. Electro dermal response (skin)
B. Blood pressure
C. Heart Beat Frequency
D. Tine between verbal stimuli and verbal response.
E. Signal Marks
F. Involuntary tremors of one hand
G. Breathing amplitude and frequency
H. Voluntary movement of the hand.
 This method did not however last long.
Lie Detection Techniques

4. JOHN E. REID - 1945

 Devised an instrument for recording muscular activity.

 The recording made simultaneously with blood pressure pulse respiration
tracings, renders much more accurate any diagnosis based upon these later
phenomena.

RT MSCRIM
5. SIR JAMES MACKENZLE

 Generally overlooked in that history of the lie detector technique is the fact
that so called polygraph was in existence at least as early as 1906.
 Its invention, however as not for lie detection purposes, rather for the use in
medical examination.
 Nevertheless, it did contain the essential features of present day instrument
and first construction was based upon the same principle.
 Its inventor was Sir James Mackenzle, the famous English Heart Specialist
which an article entitled “The Ink Polygraph” which appeared in 1908 number
of the English Journal.
 HE IS THE FIRST PERSON WHO UTILIZED THE WORD POLYGRAPH.

6. ERASISTRATUS

 Greek Physician (300B.C.)

 Had successfully noted the frequency of heartbeat, upon application of some
stimuli related to the question at hand.

7. GALILEO (1581)

 Devised a gadget called “Pulsilogium”

 Instrument used to measure heartbeat frequency.
 He did not use this device for lie detection purposes.

8. FRANCIS GALTON – 1879

 He developed the much-acclaimed psychological test known as the Word

Association Test

9. ALLEN BELL – 1972

 He was an American inventor who developed device called Psychological

Stress Evaluator (PSE) – an instrument that detects slight trembling in the
voice to determine if the person is lying.

10. ANTON MESMER

Lie Detection Techniques

 He introduced HYPNOTISM as a method of detecting deception.

11. DR. EDWARD MANDELL HOUSE

 He introduced the use of TRUTH-SERUM in detecting deception

RT MSCRIM
12. THOMAS JEFFERSON

 FIRST MAN TO USED THE WORD “POLYGRAPH”

SIGNIFICANT DATES & PLACES

 1937 – Japan’s 1st reported use of psychophysiological detection of

deception.

 1945 – polygraph was first introduced in the Philippines at the Crime

Laboratory of the military police.
- They sent MR. Jose Navarro and MR. Conrado Dumlao to the U.S. For
polygraph training.

 1950 – NBI sent MR. Agustin Patricio to train at the Keeler Polygraph
Institute.

 1992 - computer age for polygraphy

WHAT IS LIE?

A lie is any of the following:

a. Untruthful statement
b. Falsehood- state of being untrue
c. Anything that deceives or creates false impression
d. Untrue statements especially with intent to deceive or to give erroneous or misleading
impression
e. Also synonymous to deceit, deception, fabrication, falsehood and untruth.

WHY DO WE LIE?

 We want to anticipate pleasure and avoid pain.

 For the purpose of self-interest and self-promotion.
Lie Detection Techniques

 Ensure privacy
 To cover our own embarrassment.
 To gain profit and advantage.
 To protect others.

KINDS OF LIES

RT MSCRIM
1. White Lie or Benign Lie
- This is the kind of lie, the most common of all, which is intended to protect or maintain of
friendship, at home, in the office or elsewhere.
- AKA “benign lie, honest lie or harmless lie”
- It is intended not to harm others but told in order to avoid distress or embarrassment.
Example: Telling your friend that she doesn’t look fat in her dress when she asks because you don’t
want to tell her that she gained a lot of weight and looks heavy.

2. Pathological Lie
-Also known as mythomania or pseudologia fantastica, it is the chronic behavior of compulsive or
habitual lying.
-A pathological liar lies for no apparent reason
-In Polygraphy, impairment of the mind must be established first before conducting any lie-detector
test; otherwise the whole test will be useless.
-Pathological liars are among those classified as Barriers and Obstacles to Lie-Detection with the aid
of the Polygraph.
- a lie made by a person who cannot distinguish right from wrong

Mythomania - It is the condition where there is an excessive or abnormal propensity for lying and
exaggerating.

3. Red Lie
-also called POLITICS PROPAGANDA.
-It is intended to destroy a political belief or ideology.
-This involves political interests and motives because this is part of Communist propaganda
strategy. This lie is prevalent in communist countries or communist-infested nations. Lies of this
sort purport to destroy other ideologies by means of propaganda-brain-washing and black-mail via
espionage and treason.

5. Black Lie
• A lie which accompanies pretensions and hypocrisies, intriguing to cause dishonor or
discredit one’s good image.

5. 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! Some liar
lawyers and false witnesses fall under this category.

Other Kinds of Lie

Lie Detection Techniques

1. Fabrication
- a lie told when someone submits a statement as truth but it is not based on fact

2. Bold-faced lie
- Is one which is told when it is obvious to all concerned that it is a lie.

3. Lying by omission
- One lies by omission by omitting an important fact, deliberately leaving another person

RT MSCRIM
with a misconception.

4. Lie to children
- Often a platitude which may use euphemism, which is told to make an adult subject
acceptable to children.

Euphemism
- A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt
when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

5. Noble lie
- One which would normally cause discord if it were uncovered, but which offers some
benefit to the liar and assists in an orderly society, therefore potentially beneficial to others.
It is often told to maintain law, order and safety.

6. Emergency lie
- Is a strategic lie when the truth may not be told because it may harm a third party.

7. Perjury
- The act of lying or making verifiably false statements on a material matter under oath or
affirmation.

8. Bluffing
- Deceiving someone by making them think either that you are going to do something when
you really have no intention of doing it.

9. Jocose lies
- Are types of lies which are meant to be a joke. These are statements which are not true but
are being told for fun.
- Making up story for fun

10. Contextual lies

- Stating part of the truth out of context but without complete information it gives a false
impression.
- Example: A suspect in a robbery claims they were at home the entire night of the crime.

- Truth: The suspect was indeed at home for most of the night.

11. Promotion lies

- Advertisements often contain statements which are incredible.
Lie Detection Techniques

Types of Liars

A. Panic Liars
-It is one who lies in order to avoid the consequences of a confession
-He/ She is afraid of embarrassment to love ones and it is a serious blow to his / her ego.
-He/ She believes that confession will just make the matter worst.
-This is a person who panics when questioned about his involvement concerning a crime
but immediately denies the truth to avoid shame or humiliation that it might cause to his family.

RT MSCRIM
B. OCCUPATIONAL LIAR
-this is an individual whose job is to tell lie and deceive other people.
-One who is being paid to tell lies.
-He is practical liar- he will tell lie if doing it provides a higher pay-off than telling the truth
C. TOURNAMENT LIAR
-Loves to lie and is excited by the challenge of not being detected.
-This person views an interview as another contest and wants to win.
-is a person who uses the act of lying to test his ability and prove to him self that he is
capable of deceiving the police or authorities.
-His view is that telling lies is one form of contest.
-This person realizes that he or she will probably be convicted bur will not give anyone the
satisfaction of hearing him or her confesses.
-He wants that people will believe that the law is punishing an innocent person.
D. PSYCHOPATHIC LIAR
-The most difficult type.
-This person has no conscience. He shows no regret for dishonestly and no manifestation of
guilt.
-thus, capable of lying to the point of causing death to other people.
E. ETHNOLOGICAL LIAR
-Is one who is taught not to be a squealer.
*squeal – to cry or to shrill voice;
- is a person trained to lie.
-Used by underworld gang in order for their member not to reveal any secret of their
organization.
-is a person trained to lie.
F. PATHOLOGICAL LIAR
- Habitual liar
- A person who cannot distinguish right from wrong (his mind is sick.)
-Is an insane person.
G. BLACK LIAR
-A person who always pretends.
-better known as hypocrite
-(What he thinks of himself, what kind of person he is, and what he is.)
- a person who discredit one’s good image.

Theory of Lying Person

- The polygraph technique uses the principle that the bodily functions of a person are
influenced by his mental state. The physiological changes accompanying deception are
capable of being recorded, measured and interpreted with reasonable certainty. Telling a lie
Lie Detection Techniques

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

THEORY OF LIE DETECTION

RT MSCRIM
• It must be recognized that there is NO such thing as an instrument that will detect lies. The
popular name, Lie Detector, given to a collection of certain medical instruments, is
somewhat misleading. No collection of inanimate objects including the very finest and
complicated modern computers, can detect lies on the part of any human being.

• “Well, what does this do called “lie detector” do?” The answer to that question is that the lie
detector records certain physiological activities of the body. These activities are
constantly in operation as long as the person is alive. The student should be aware that the
most common lie detectors record a breathing pattern of inspiration and expiration, a
continuous pattern of relative blood pressure and pulse rate, and a pattern of electro
dermal activity.

Autonomic Nervous System and Sympathetic Nervous System

Autonomic Nervous System

- a control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions,
such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, urination and sexual arousal.

- This is found at the center of the brain and its central controls is in the
“hypothalamus”- a group of nerve cells of the brain that reflexes those that we cannot
control consciously such as our heart beat, pulse rate, increase and decrease in blood
pressure and the expansion and constriction of arteries.

Sympathetic nervous System

- Prepares us for fight or flight/ Stress response

Fight or Flight Response

- An automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. The
perception of threat activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers an acute stress response
that prepares the body to fight or flee.
-Stress Response

What is the Role of the Autonomic Nervous System in the Polygraph Examination?

-In the conduct of polygraph examination, it is based on the idea that a conscious mental effort of a
mentally normal person lie causes physiological changes within our body. The physiological changes
could be recorded by the Polygraph instrument and diagnosed or evaluated by the polygraph examiner.
Lie Detection Techniques

- When one of our senses detects a threat to our well-being, it sends a signal to the autonomic
nervous system, which activates its sympathetic division regardless whether threat is physical or
physiological.
- in polygraph testing, the receptor is the ear of the subject, which receives the threatening question or
stimulus from the polygraphist. The stimulus is transmitted from the ears via sensory neurons into the
brain where the hypothalamus analyzes, evaluates and resolves that particular question. It makes a
decision for the subject as to whether it is threatening situation. If affirmative, the hypothalamus
immediately activates the sympathetic subdivision of the autonomic nervous system.


RT MSCRIM The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The Big Picture: The ANS is a part of your peripheral nervous system. It's responsible for
regulating involuntary bodily functions, meaning things you don't consciously control. Think of
things like your heart rate, digestion, breathing, and even pupil dilation.
 Two Main Branches: The ANS has two main branches that often have opposing effects:
o Sympathetic Nervous System
o Parasympathetic Nervous System

The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

 "Fight or Flight": The SNS is often called the "fight or flight" system. It prepares your body for
stressful or emergency situations.
 Key Actions: When the SNS is activated, you might experience:
o Increased heart rate and breathing
o Dilated pupils
o Blood flow diverted to muscles
o Sweating
o Decreased digestion
 Example: Imagine you're about to give a presentation. Your SNS might kick in, making your
palms sweaty and your heart race.
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
 "Rest and Digest": The PNS is the opposite of the SNS. It's responsible for conserving energy and
returning your body to a relaxed state.
 Key Actions: When the PNS is dominant, you might experience:
o Slowed heart rate and breathing
o Constricted pupils
o Increased digestion
 Example: After your presentation, your PNS helps calm your body down, slowing your heart rate
and allowing you to relax.
How They Work Together
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work in a dynamic balance to maintain
HOMEOSTASIS in your body. They constantly adjust your bodily functions based on your needs and the
situation you're in.

In Summary
Lie Detection Techniques

 The autonomic nervous system is the overall system that controls involuntary functions.
 The sympathetic nervous system is the "fight or flight" branch, preparing you for action.
 The parasympathetic nervous system is the "rest and digest" branch, helping you relax and
conserve energy.

Here’s what can happen during the stress response:

RT MSCRIM
1. Dilated pupils: In times of danger, the body prepares itself to be aware of its surroundings; dilation of
the pupils allows more light into the eyes and results in a better vision of the surroundings.
2. Pale or flushed skin: Blood flow to the surface areas of the body is reduced while flow to the muscles,
brain, legs, and arms is increased. Paleness or alternating between a pale and flushed face as blood
rushes to the head and brain is common.4 The body's blood clotting ability also increases to prevent
excess blood loss in the event of injury.
3. Rapid heart rate and breathing: Heartbeat and respiration rate increase to provide the body with the
energy and oxygen needed to fuel a rapid response to danger.
4. Trembling: The muscles tense and become primed for action, which can cause trembling or shaking.

SOME SIGNS OF LIES AND DECEPTIONS

Generally, when a person becomes defensive due to fear of detection,

one can point out that any of the signs herein enumerated indicates
lies, guilt or deception, such as:
• Stammering and swearing to or before God that he did not commit the crime
• Pointing his guilt to somebody else
• Subject refuses to answer questions through alibis and excuses
• all the time absent-minded
• always requesting for repetition of questions
• often asks counter-questions and counter-queries
• Blushing, paling or profuse sweating of forehead
• Dilation of the eyes, protrusion of eyeballs and elevation of upper eyelids
• Squinting of the eyes (showing envy, distrust, etc.)
• Twitching of the lips and or excessive winking of the eyes
• Failure to look the inquirer straight into the eyes
• Excessive activity of the Adam’s apple and the vein at the temple due to dryness of throat and
mouth
• A peculiar monotone of the voice or a forced laugh
• Rolling of eyeballs from one direction to another
• He often asks permission to go to the comfort-rooms, etc.
• Fidgeting, tapping or drumming of fingers on the chairs or other surfaces
• Swinging of legs or one leg over the other
• Unnecessary movements of hands and feet ( scratching, nail biting, thumb or finger sucking)
• Pulsation of the artery in the neck
• Incoherence, trembling and sweating of the whole body

Verbal and Non Verbal Clues

Lie Detection Techniques

• VERBAL CLUES
- include the words that are spoken, speed of delivery of the words, tone of voice and the
tense of language.
• NON- VERBAL CLUES
-encompasses patterns in the body movements, gesture, facial expression, body posture,
positioning and movement used to explain chosen words.

RT MSCRIM
The following are VERBAL CLUES OF LYING.

• Methods of responding the question.

• Length of time before giving response.
• Repetition of question
• Fragmented or incomplete sentences
• Being overly polite
• Oaths
• Broaden their answer

The following are NON-VERBAL CLUES OF LYING.

• EMBLEMS –expression made by the body. i.e. shaking or nodding of the head, shrugging of the
shoulders, thumbs up sign.
• MANIPULATORS – usual behavior of touching one’s self. i.e. grooming the hair, wringing the
hands, picking imaginary fur from cloth, using props like pen and cigarette.
• BREATHING – liars hyperventilate.
• SWEATING
• FREQUENT SWALLOWING
• MOVEMENT OF FACIAL MUSCLES
• EYES
• BLUSHING OR REDDENING OF THE FACE

Categories of Non- verbal Behaviors

1. Emblems
- These are non-verbal behavior that expresses the entire communication. No spoken words are
necessary. Emblems are accurate clues of person’s true feelings and statements. However emblems
cannot be seen as universal or they do not have the same meaning in all society. Interviewers must be
very careful against misreading emblems and must take into consideration that emblems are dependent
on an interviewee’s societal and cultural background
Ex. Thumb rising when asked how he feels about being interviewed.

2. Illustrators
- Are non- verbal behaviors which assist the listener better understand the verbal communication. They
indicate consistency between non-verbal and verbal messages. Since the speaker is attempting to assist
the listener in understanding what is being said, as illustrators increase, the probability of truthfulness
increases. As they decreases, or suddenly stop, the possibility of deception increases.
Ex. Banging on the table by a person with his fist as he speaks angrily.
Lie Detection Techniques

3. Adapters
- Are non-verbal behaviors that serve no purpose in helping the verbal communication, and often
detract from it. They are indicators of deception. As with illustrators, adapters often occur as hand
gestures and body position and include any type of rubbing, stroking, picking, massaging or touching of
the body or face.
- in observing this non-verbal behavior, it is important that the interviewer or interrogator should
consider cultural differences. What may be an adaptor or an illustrator in one cultural setting may have

RT MSCRIM
an entirely different meaning in another.
Ex. In south Africa, young persons are taught to cross their arms and look down to show respect when
communicating with elder.

Areas to note when assessing Non-verbal Behaviors

When assessing nonverbal behavior, the interviewer can note five separate areas, which respond
separately and sometimes differentially. Proper timing for observation and assessment of these
nonverbal areas is from the time the interview begins, until a few seconds after the interviewee
answered.

1. General Posture
- Truthful people usually use body position as an illustrator and have an open, settled, upright position.
Often they will lean slightly forward, indicating interest in what is being said. Shoulders tend to remain
squared and the body is aligned with the interviewers.
-Deceptive people often show very close and defensive positions, such as crossed arms and/ or legs, to
perceptually increase the distance between the interviewer and themselves. They may assume a
position of defeat, with their shoulders forward and their chin on their chest.

2. Head and Face

- Face is the most common part of the body to observe; however it is also the most difficult to interpret.
It has a very complex muscular structure and can show more than one emotion at a time. In addition,
people know that we look at their faces when they speak, and false facial expressions are easy to
produce, which can become automatic after time.
- Thus masking or the attempt to conceal the truth through false facial expression is common. While
masking may be attempted to disguise any or all of the five natural, basic emotions that the human face
can display (sadness, happiness, anger, surprise, and disgust) the interviewer or interrogator can usually
identify the underlying emotion. This is possible because masking frequently occurs out of context
Ex. Smiling at an inappropriate point, often held too long, or repeated too often. Moreover, masks
usually distorted- exaggerated or incomplete.
-Most often, all persons in an attempt to mask a genuine reaction such as fear is smiling, other common
attempts used by subjects or suspects to mask include appearing to be surprised, angry or disgusted.

3. Eye
- Eye behavior provides an excellent source of non-verbal information. Breaks in eye contact, which
occur at the appropriate time, can be indicative of deception. Exaggerated eye contact is likely to be
masking behavior and should be considered an indicator of the deceptive. People who maintain eye-to-
eye contact too long are trying to replicate sincerity, or attempting to dominate you.
-Most liars come into the interview with a preconceived idea of what adaptors label suspects as liars.
One of these preconceptions is that a liar cannot look the interviewer directly in the eyes. Masking
Lie Detection Techniques

attempted; thus, extended eye contact does not mean the person is extremely truthful, but on the
contrary, deceptive.

4. Arms and Hands

- Arm and hand movements give clearer non-verbal cues. Most people do not pay attention to what
their hands are doing during conversation and therefore, do not attempt to mask this subconscious
gestures. Moreover, hand movements are less fleeting than the facial expressions, are easily observable
and are the main non-verbal means of recognizing illustrators and adapters. Take note that increased

RT MSCRIM
illustrators are signs of truthfulness, and adaptors indicates deception.
-a person or suspect whose elbows are close to the body may be under severe tension. This can be
associated with protecting one’s own body and providing a self- comforting touch. When someone sits
with his elbows away from the body, it shows he is relaxed, less defensive and more likely to be truthful
- a suspect who touches his chest as he is talking is directing the interviewer to look at him; he has
nothing to hide. If the suspect has his hands crossed tightly in front of him, it suggests fear and the
probability that he is withholding information or is being deceptive.

5. Sense Arousal Gesture-

- under times of stress, the body’s senses are enhanced by sympathetic arousal. A person’s olfactory
(smelling), aural (hearing) visual (sight) and tactile (touch and skin sensitivity) perceptions are noticeably
increased. These changes in the blood flow to the organs, causing increase itching sensation resulting in
subconscious scratching. Touching or scratching the nose is a reliable indicator of deception when it is
done as the suspect answers a critical question, or is explaining something.

6. Feet and Legs

- The involuntary movement of feet and legs are also reliable illustrators or adaptors. They move slowly,
are easily observed, and unconsciously, no one pays attention to them. Unfortunately, the legs and feet
are limited in the variety of movements compared to the arms and hands. Truthful people generally use
open and settled foot and legs positions.
- The interviewer must establish the individual’s situational norm by observing him before the interview
begins, and noting his verbal and non-verbal behavior during the early stages of the interview when
conversing about something of mutual interest that has nothing to do with the case under investigation.
- As the interviewer, be alert on the many open gestures that suggest truthfulness. If the suspect
maintains normal eye contact with the interviewer, sits with his arms open throughout the interview,
palms up and legs apart, he is probably truthful.
- Interestingly, deceptive suspects often show similar qualities during an interrogation when they are
about to give up. If the suspect’s palm suddenly become open, and he previously was tense and
uncooperative, it is an indication that he is about to confess.