Module 4: Foundations of
Polygraph Technique and
its Components
Module Overview
This Module was prepared in order for the learners to fully grasp the concepts under the
Foundations of Polygraph Technique including the major components of Polygraph
Instrument and the Psycho-Physiological processes in relation to polygraphy. This Module is
presented into two Lessons;
Lesson 4.1: The Polygraph Instrument; and
Lesson 4.2: The Psycho -Physiologicals Apects of Polygraphy
Motivation Question
Based on the discussions about the overview of Polygraphy during the midterm period, what
knowledge can share about the concept of Polygraphy specifically on its functions or
operations.
Lesson 4.1: The Polygraph Instrument
Lesson Summary
Polygraphy is an allied science under Criminalistics that serves as an investigative aid during
the course of an investigation. It has been used to provide reliable pieces of information and
evidence that will help speed up the investigation. But what are the Polygraph Instrument's
true compositions, and what specific responses does it measure and record? The Four Major
Components of the Polygraph Instrument, as well as their respective functions, will be
discussed in this lesson to assist and equip learners with subject matter knowledge.
Learning Outcomes
1. To introduce and identify the parts of the Polygraph Instrument;
2. To recognize the functiion of each polygraph component of polygraph instrument;
and
3. To understand the foundations of Polygraph Technique.
Motivation Question
Can you give a specific physiological response that a Polygraph Instrument can measure?
Discussion
Polygraph Instrument
A polygraph is a device or procedure that measures and records several physiological
indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a
person is asked and answers a series of questions. The belief that deceptive answers
will produce physiological responses that can be distinguished from those associated
with non-deceptive answers underpins the use of the polygraph. However, there are
no specific physiological reactions linked to lying, making it difficult to distinguish
between those who are lying and those who are telling the truth.
Furthermore, the "Polygraph Machine" or "Lie Detector” was defined as an
instrument or device capable of producing recordings of physiological phenomena
that could be used to diagnose truth or deception using a reliable technique. The
instrument can only record the physiological phenomena/changes that occur when the
subject is deceptive; it cannot detect lies or deception. The Examiner is the one who
uses the instrument to detect deception.
Two Kinds of Polygraph Instrument
In most cases, the polygraph instrument measures four to six physiological reactions
that are recorded by three different medical instruments that are combined into one
machine. Long strips of paper moved slowly beneath pens that recorded the various
physiological responses on older polygraph machines which is called or reffered as
Convetional/Analog type of Polygraph Instrument. Transducers are used in newer
equipment to convert information into digital signals that can be stored on computers
and analyzed using complex mathematical algorithms which utilizes the CPS or the
Computerized Polygraph System.
The Four Major Components of Polygraph Instrument
The Polygraph Instrument is composed of Four Major Parts or Components namely
the Cardiosphygmograph, Pneumograph, Galvanograph and Kymograph. These
mentioned components worked simultaneously and help in the administration of the
examination to determine whether or not statements made by the subject taking the
test are deceptive. This can be identified through interrogating the subject and
monitoring the changes on in the subject's blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate
and sweat production. The theory underlying the polygraph test is that a person who is
lying exhibits involuntary physiological responses that can be detected by the
polygraph instrument.
1. The Pneumograph Component
This component occupies the instrument's top two/upper pens, which are used to
record thoracic and abdominal breathing patterns. Its primary purpose is to record the
subject's breathing changes. The pneumograph assembly and the recording unit make
up the system. The rubber convoluted tube, beaded chain, and pneumatic rubber
tubing make up the pneumograph assembly. The pneumograph tube is attached to the
subject's chest and abdomen and is secured with beaded chains. The pneumograph
tube is approximately 10 inches long, with one end sealed and the other end
connected to the instrument by a thick walled rubber tube with a diameter much
smaller than the pneumograph tube. As the subject breathes, the pneumograph's
convoluted tubes expand and contract. A frame, brass elbows, crankshaft, adjustable
fulcrum, bearing with adjusting screw pen travel, vent limiting screws, pen cradle, and
pen centering control knob make up the Pneumograph recording units. The chest
assembly transmits the volume changes in the chest caused by breathing to the
recording unit. The activities create air pressure in the bellows, which push the
crankshaft forward and backward. The torque is applied by the crankshaft to the
center shaft, which is attached to the pen cradle. On chart paper, the forward and
backward right movement is recorded.
2. The Galvanograph Component
This is the third and longest pen on the instrument. Its purpose is to measure the
subject's skin resistance to a very small amount of electricity. The finger electrode
assembly, amplifier unit, and galvanometer – recorder unit make up this unit. Skin
resistance is a circuit element of the polygraph, and the finger electrode connects the
subject to the instrument in such a way that skin resistance is a circuit element of the
polygraph. A finger electrode plate with retainer bonds and a connecting plug make
up the device. The amplifier unit detects any changes in the subject's skin resistance,
amplifies it, and supplies the current to operate the galvanometer using the
"Wheatstone bridge" [Link] galvanometer, the recording unit, converts
electrical energy to mechanical energy. The mechanical movement of the 7-inch
recording pen is caused by electrical current flowing through the galvanometer. The
galvanograph's overall function is to detect changes in the subject's skin resistance,
amplify these changes, and record them on the chart.
3. The Cardiosphygmograph Component
The fourth and lowest pen on the instrument is this one. This cardio machine is
powered by a motor. It's a system with a lot of [Link] changes in the subject's
blood pressure and pulse rate are recorded. Blood pressure cuff assembly,
sphygmomanometer (BP) vent resonance control, and recording unit make up this
component. The blood pressure cuff assembly transmits impulses from the brachial
artery when it is attached to the subject's right arm. The system is inflated by the
pump bulb assembly, and the blood pressure cuff is connected to the recording unit by
a hose. The air pressure in the system is measured in millimetres of mercury by the
sphygmomanometer. The air in the system can be released through the [Link]
resonance control provides the means of reducing or increasing the amount of air
pressure to reach the tambour (brass elbows) unit and thus reduce or increase the
amplitude of pen excursions. A pen centering control knob is provided for the
adjusting the tracing so that the blood pressure pattern would be on the guideline.
Through a 5 – inch recording pen, the recording unit records the pulse rate and blood
pressure changes on the chart paper.
4. The Kymograph Component
This is the instrument's chart recording unit. This part is a motor that simultaneously
pulls and drives the chart paper under the recording pen at a speed of 6 to 12 inches
per minute. It also includes a diagram of the paper feed mechanism. To allow for
accurate interpretations, the chart must move at a consistent speed. The paper well,
writing table, paper guide rails, paper roller assembly with sprockets, chart feed,
switch, AC power input connector, and a 5 volt GC cycle synchronous motor are
among the components.
Tripod Foundation of Polygraph Technique
Basic scientific knowledge about the processes the polygraph measures and the
factors influencing those processes, as well as applied research that evaluates the
criterion validity or accuracy of polygraph tests in specific settings, are two main
sources of evidence relevant to the validity of polygraph testing. The following are the
foundations of polygraph technique that will elucidate the relationship between the
responses and examination conducted towards the subject;
1. Mechanical Leg Basic Premises
Mechanically, the polygraph machine is capable of producing graphical records
containing reliable information about physiological changes.
2. Physiological Leg Basic Premise
Physiological changes that occur automatically only after stimulation of a specific
nervous system component and from which stimulation of those specific nervous
system components can be reliably diagnosed are among the physiological changes
that can be recorded and identified.
3. Psychological Leg Basic Premise
The specific nervous system component whose stimulation can thus be diagnosed is
thus stimulated by the involuntary mental and emotional processes of the individual
who is consciously attempting concealment of deceptions, especially if that individual
has something at stake and the prevailing circumstances lead him to believe that
exposure to detection is quite possible under this polygraph leg premise.
Lesson 4.2: Psycho - Physiological
Aspects of Polygraphy
Lesson Summary
The underlying principle of polygraph use is that a person's mental state influences his bodily
functions, and some of these physiological changes associated with deception can be recorded,
measured, and interpreted with reasonable [Link] lesson will include topics that will
discuss relating on psycho-physiological mental related characteristics of subjects towards
the conduct of Polygraph Test.
Learning Outcomes
1. To understand the Psychology of lying;
2. To determine the possible psychological responses of lying; and
3. To know the accuracy and admissibility of polygraph result to court trial.
Motivation Question
Do you think Polygraph Result is admissible as an evidence during court trial? Support your
argument.
Discussion
The Psycho-Physiological Aspects of Polygraphy
A normal person's conscious mental effort to deceive causes involuntary
physiological changes, which are the body's reaction to an impending threat to its
well-being. These inner deviations are involuntary and beyond conscious control, and
they are triggered by the stimulating effect of well-prepared questions, to which a
truthful response may result in punishment.
This theory can be effectively explained in this way: it is a fact that our bodies adapt
to their development as efficiently as possible. A new change in the environment will
cause our bodies to automatically readjust in order to survive in a world that is
constantly changing; otherwise, we will quickly perish. Our complex system of
internal check and balance, which primarily involves the body's automatic nervous
system, is responsible for his ability to adjust.
All physiological activities are recorded when a person is examined with a lie detector.
It became a source of verbal stimulation. When a stimulus is requested, the ear
receives it and sends it to the brain's thought control center. During the interview and
the actual test, the body's flight or fight mechanism analyzes the verbal stimulus and
determines whether it will have an effect on the body's well-being., the
thought-control center simply ignores it, the fight or flight mechanism is not
stimulated, and the body continues to function at a normal physiological pace.
A physiological chain reaction occurs when a stimulus is perceived by the subject to
be threatening to his person; from relatively normal deviation. The subject's body
adjusts to changes in the environment automatically, and his fight or flight mechanism
kicks in to protect him from the consequences of being caught lying.
In this situation, nerve impulses originating in the medulla of the brain are diverted to
the central nervous system and automatic nervous system, where they are analyzed
again and responsibility for their handling redelegated to the body's general
emergency nervous system, known as the "sympathetic system." Certain
physiological changes occur to varying degrees as the sympathetic system kicks in.
The lie detector instrument records the various responses that occur in the human
physiology, and these are the changes that the trained lie detector examiner can use to
detect possible detection. To be clear, the polygraph instrument does not detect
deception; rather, it measures certain identifiable physical reactions such as those
affecting respiration rate, pulse rate, and galvanic skin resistance to a very small
amount of current, in combination with the use of a reliable questioning technique.
The Psychology and Psychological Responses of Lying
Lying is a type of deception that involves deceiving others verbally. It's a natural part
of how we communicate with other people. It's been a part of daily life for a long time.
We can't go a single day without lying to each other. It's a recurring aspect of human
social behavior. We have no idea how many lies we tell. We people lie most the time
in our daily life, afraid of other people\sfinding out the truth about us. Most of the
time, we lie to our parents, partners, friends, supervisors, and anyone else with whom
we interact. We lie for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's to get away from problems,
and other times it's to get away from responsibilities. We consider the potential for
embarrassment or threat if the truth is revealed. As a result, we come up with possible
solutions in the form of lies. It's a clumsy approach to problem-solving. According to
research on the self-reported frequency of lying, people lie in about 25% of their
interactions with others during their normal daily activities. The only difference
between lying is its severity, frequency, and target, as well as the reasoning behind the
lies. It's also possible to commit a lie of omission, which entails simply remaining
silent with the intent to deceive. Lying can also take two forms: short-term lying,
which requires little planning, and long-term lying, which requires a lot of planning.
Because people lie for a variety of reasons, the psychology of lying can be a difficult
concept to grasp. The causes of our lying behavior are explained by what causes a
person to not tell the truth. Some people lie to avoid punishment or to avoid hurting
the feelings of others, while others lie on the spur of the moment or to present
themselves as someone they are not. The reasons for lying change over the course of
our lives. Children lie for fun and to avoid punishment from their parents or other
authority figures when they are young. As we grow older, we discover that lying has a
survival [Link] put it another way, we lie to protect ourselves from a perceived
threat to our survival or well-being. We lie and hide the truth in order to keep
ourselves safe.
The following are some of the concepts perceived and explianed by various theorists
in psychology;
1. The psychoanalytic explanation of Sigmund Freud as the interplay of id, ego, and
super-ego can be used to explain lying. The ego is the mental level that operates
according to the reality principle. Our id sometimes forces us to stay away from
reality because it causes us anxiety.
2. Maslow's hierarchy of needs states that we have an innate desire to meet our needs
one by one. In order to reach these levels and avoid stumbling blocks on our way to
meeting our needs, we make statements that may or may not be true.
When a person tells the truth versus when a person tells a lie, neuropsychologists have
noticed a distinct difference in brain activity. Because different parts of the brain are
used to deliberately tell a lie than they are to speak the truth, there is a clear
distinction between the two from a neuropsychological standpoint.
There are mental disorders that may result in patients telling lies, but not realizing that
what they are saying is not true. Examples include Paranoid Personality Disorder or
some of the Dissociative Disorders.
Despite the fact that most people aren't very good at detecting lies, scientific research
has uncovered a few noteworthy methods for detecting deception. The use of
physiological measures such as the polygraph to detect evidence of deception has a
long history.
Admissibility of Polygraph Examination/Result
Is Polygraph Result/Examination admissible as evidence in court? The answer is
“YES”, if allowed by the judge. If the polygraph was administered by an unqualified
and inexperienced examiner, the results are unlikely to be used by the judges. Today,
there is a lot of activity in the court system regarding the use of polygraphs, and the
laws are rapidly changing.
Under the following conditions, polygraph and expert testimony relating to it may be
admissible with a stipulation to support other evidence of a defendant's involvement
in a crime or to support or charge his testimony:
A. That the admissibility of the polygraph test is a matter for the trial judge to decide.
The trial judge may reject such evidence if he is not convinced that the examiner is a
component or that the result was not obtained under proper conditions;
B. That both parties' counsel and the subject sign a written condition for the subject's
admission to the examination and subsequent admission to trials of the graph and
examiner's opinion on behalf of either the defendant or the state;
C. If the examiner's opinion is offered as evidence, the opposing party is entitled to
cross-examine the examiner on the following topics:
1. The qualifications and training of the examiner;
2. The stipulation under which the test was administered.
3. The restrictions and possibilities for the errors of the technique;
4. At the good judgment of the trial judge, any other matter deemed
important to the inquiry.
Accuracy of Polygraph Examination/Result
Studies on the accuracy of polygraph testing have been conducted over the last 75
years. It is difficult to draw a precise figure for the accuracy of polygraph testing in all
settings from the data because many different conditions factors are involved in the
study, and because the polygraph examination is a very complex process. Nonetheless,
the overwhelming body of evidence suggests that when a properly trained examiner
employs a well-established testing procedure, the accuracy of polygraph examiners'
decisions is generally in the range of 95 percent to 100 percent, depending on the
factors that influence the test.
