Lie Detection: Polygraph, Lie Detector & Polygraph Testing services

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082 664 6226

henda@polygraph-sa.co.za

Polygraph Information

Some new users of the polygraph technique refer to this technique as "lie detection". The polygraph is not a lie detector! Polygraph refers to two thing namely "Poly-" meaning many and "-graph" meaning to write. So if refers to the many writings the instrument makes that indicate whether or not someone is telling the truth. "Polygraph" in the sense in which it is normally used refers to mainly two things namely the technique applied and secondly the instrument used for such purpose. As the majority of lie detector examinations performed in South Africa yield results of non-deception it should rather be called a "truth detector" and instead of "lie detector".

"Graph" in the word means the graphical display of tracings representing functions of the body when someone is answering to a question. This means it is an instrument that is used to measure and record certain responses coming from the body when someone is asked questions to indicate whether or not he or she is telling the truth. These things happen whether or not the instrument is attached or used. Whenever there is a measure of fear created by the question to which a person is responding, the responses that are recorded are produced in the examinee. Such fear may relate to imprisonment and loss of position etc. The fact that it is a forensic technique means it may be used as scientific evidence in hearings or in court trials.

When a group of people in a company are suspected of something criminally or deceptive that happened, normally one or possibly a minor proportion of them had been involved in the act of dishonesty. This is seen as collusion. So it is not surprising that few (10% - 20%) of them had been perpetrating the crime which caused a number of innocent people to be under suspicion. This is typically how criminals try to hide! But innocent and honest staff have no problems to help employers and therefore are almost without exception willing to be tested with the lie detector ("polygraph").

It is better to refer to this technique as forensic psyco-physiological detection of deception. Basically it is the same technique that has been in use since 1896. It has been refined and now uses a sophisticated instrument, question techniques and a trained and experienced examiner determining the truth reliably.



Responses referred to are recorded and printed on paper for a permanent record. This is the way polygraphy is practiced by Polygraph Inquiries of SA.		Inside the polygraph examination room there is hardly anything to distract attention and the person sits in a position to hear the questions clearly.



Galvanic responses as common for aspects of the potential of electrical conductivity of the skin	The responses are about the chest inhalation and exhalation for breathing (pneumo) measured by two tubes attached around the upper and lower chest of the person.	And cardio- vascular responses such as pulse rate, strength of heartbeats, increase and decrease of blood pressure and functions of heart valves. This is recorded with a normal blood pressure cuff.



And cardio- vascular responses such as pulse rate, strength of heartbeats, increase and decrease of blood pressure and functions of heart valves. This is recorded with a normal blood pressure cuff.

Polygraph Inquiries of SA always uses a lie detector instrument which is in good working order.