POLYGRAPH -By Vismaya SR
WHAT IS POLYGRAPH?
A polygraph, often called a “Lie Detector,” is a machine that
measures human responses to questions, measuring a lot of
physiological symptoms of anxiety or emotion to estimate if the
subject is being truthful or not.
HISTORY
The study of physiological methoed for deception began in the
early 19th century
Benussi was the first to work on practical deception tests based on
physiological changes.
First attempt to develop a scientific instrument to detect truth was
made by Lombroso in 1895.
INVENTORS
• William Moulton Marston : creator of the systolic blood pressure
test - one component of the modern polygraph.
• John Augustus Larson : first American police officer to use
polygraph in criminal investigations.
• Leonarde Keeler : was the co-inventor of the polygraph.
PRINCIPLE
The polygraph is based on the principle of psychosomatic
interactions of an individual. This means,a change takes place in
person who consciously holds feeling, which manifest into
physiological changes in his blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration
and electrodermal response. Hence it is the fear of detection and
not the guilt which produces measurable physiological responses.
WORKING
Polygraph machine records multiple signals using 4 to 6 sensors
attached to the patient’s body. The sensors usually record:
• The person's breathing rate
• The person's pulse
• The person's blood pressure
• The person's perspiration
HOW DOES IT WORK
The Nervous System reacts to different situations differently. For
this, it uses different parts of it, namely :
I. Somatic Nervous System
II. Autonomic Nervous SystemArousal- Increased ANS
activity- LIE
INSTRUMENTATION
Cardio – Sphygmograph : collects blood pressure and heart
rate data
Pneumograph : measures respiratory patterns (fastened
around chest and around abdomen)
Galvanograph : measures electro-dermal activity or
sweat(attached to hand or index &ring fingers)
Plethysmograph -transducer. Attached to thumb,measures
blood volume reflecting pulse rate.
ADMINISTRATION OF TEST
• Familiarizing the subject with the test
• Pre-test Interview
• Formulating Questions
Relevant/ Irrelevant questionnaire
• Analysis of the result
ANALYSIS OF THE
POLYGRAPH CHART
Polygraph examiner considers the following aspects while
analyzing the results of the test:-
Simultaneous occurrence in respiration and increase in blood
pressure immediately after the subjects reply.
Heavier breathing immediately after reply to a relevant question.
Decrease in blood pressure several second after the subject’s reply.
Slowing up pulse rate after questioning session and after the
subject is informed that there will be no more questions.
Variation in blood pressure curve during the test.
ERRORS
Research claims polygraph test has error rates from 15%-40%.
Some individuals are habitual of control breathing, meditation etc
can be a parameter of error in results.
Genuinely scared individual can pose error.
Physical disability and diseased condition.
PRACTICE
history and inventors of polygraph
Where is Polygraph Required?
What instruments are used in Polygraph? Mention names.
Principle of Polygraph.
working of polygraph