POLYGRAPH-THE LIE DETECTORBRIEF INTRODUCTION AND FUN

By Dr. Chang

WHAT IS POLYGRAPH? A polygraph (popularly referred to as a

lie detector) measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions.

Meet the Parents 3/10

WHO INVENTED IT? In 1921, by John Augustus Larson, a

medical student at the University of California at Berkeley and a police officer of the Berkeley Police Department in Berkeley, California

HOW DOES IT WORK? The belief is that deceptive answers will

produce physiological responses that can be differentiated from those associated with non-deceptive answers.

How Does A Polygraph Test Work?

WHO USES IT? US federal government agencies: FBI

and the CIA. (referred as psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examination.)

Many police departments such as the LAPD.

Some private sectors.

NOT TRUE SCIENCE?

One Commone View About Polygrapy

Admissibility of polygraphs in court

In 2007, polygraph testimony was admitted by stipulation in 19 states, and was subject to the discretion of the trial judge in federal court.

The use of polygraph in court testimony remains controversial, although it is used extensively in post-conviction supervision, particularly of sex offenders.

In Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993), the old Frye standard was lifted and all forensic evidence, including polygraph, had to meet the new Daubert standard in which "underlying reasoning or methodology is scientifically valid and properly can be applied to the facts at issue." While polygraph tests are commonly used in police investigations in the US, no defendant or witness can be forced to undergo the test.

Admissibility of Polygraphs in Court

In United States v. Scheffer (1998),the U.S. Supreme Court left it up to individual jurisdictions whether polygraph results could be admitted as evidence in court cases. Nevertheless, it is used extensively by prosecutors, defense attorneys, and law enforcement agencies. In the States of Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and Iowa it is illegal for any employer to order a polygraph either as conditions to gain employment, or if an employee has been suspected of wrongdoing.

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA) generally prevents employers from using lie detector tests, either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment, with certain exemptions.

LAPD Pre-Employment Screen Sample Questions Irrelevant Questions:

Are you now sitting down?

Are you now in the State of California?

Before applying with LAPD, did you attend High School?

Is this the month of April?

Is this the year of 2009?

LAPD Pre-Employment Screen Sample Questions relevant questions asked on the Los Angeles Police Department's pre-

employment polygraph examination are very similar to these:

1) Have you stolen more than four hundred dollars in cash or property from an employer?

2) Are you withholding information regarding your illegal drug history?

3) Have you committed an undisclosed serious crime?

4) Based on your personal bias, have you ever committed a negative act against anyone?

5) During a domestic dispute, have you physically harmed a significant other?

For the most part, these are very obvious relevant questions. But note that #4 is vague enough that it might easily be confused for a probable-lie "control" question.

LAPD Pre-Employment Screen Sample Questions Commonly used "control" questions include:

1) Prior to your application, did you ever lie to someone in a position of authority?

2) Before this year, did you ever put false information on an official document?

3) Prior to this year, did you ever betray someone who trusted your word?

4) Before your LAPD application, did you ever do anything that would place your integrity into question?

5) Before this year, did you ever take credit for something you didn't do?

6) Prior to this year, did you ever deceive a family member?

FUN QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ♥ What was your first impression of me?  How accurate do you now think it was? On which counts do you think you

were totally wrong and on which were you right? What is your idea of a truly romantic evening? If I promise not to get upset, can you tell me something that you’d like to

change in me but don’t have the nerve to tell me? If you weren’t in the profession you are, what would be your other dream

profession and why? Apart from the most obvious one, which other two areas of your body are

the most sensitive and responsive? Which three parts of my body are your personal favourites and why? Can you name three qualities that attracted you when you met me/got to

know me? Which is your dream destination and why? Which is your favourite movie of all time and favourite scene in it? (If the

other hasn’t seen it, narrate in detail.)

FUN QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ♥ Which fruit/vegetable do you think I resemble and why? Can you remember your earliest childhood memory of happiness and that

of fear? Your favourite aunt/uncle/cousin and why? What are the qualities that draw you to people that you can base a

friendship on? Can you give me a mock session of how you would discuss sex education

when you have a child? Your first crush – what drew you to her/him? Your first date – where did you go, what did you do and how long did the

relationship last? How have you coped with break-ups in the past? What has been your scariest dream? Which has been your most

frequently recurring one? Which has been the best decision you ever made? Which is the decision you regret the most?

FUN QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ♥ Can you narrate to me your proudest moment? If you won the lottery, what are the first three things you

would do and which are the five things you’ve been most longing for, that you would buy?

If your house was on fire and you had a chance to grab only five things before leaving, they would be…

If you were asked whom you would like to be born again as, the answer would be…

Which is your favourite flavour of ice cream, your favourite junk food and your favourite dessert?

Whose wardrobe would you most like to possess and why? The one argument your parents had, that you would try and

avoid with your partner, would be over… Which is your favourite asset/body part on a man/woman

and why? The most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you

was…

FUN QUESTIONS FOR YOUR ♥ Your most wicked fantasy has got to be… (Be open to this one, if you

react adversely, he/she will never feel free to confide in you again.) If our relationship doesn’t work out, do you think we can remain friends?

If no, why not? Who are you closer to – your mum/dad - and why? Your favourite song of all times and why – is it because of the lyrics,

because of the memories associated with it or just the whole package? If somebody handed you a magic lamp and gave you three wishes, what

would they be? What upsets you most in a relationship and what makes you the

happiest? What is your perception of how people see you? If someone told you they saw me with another guy, what would your first

reaction be – she’s cheating on me, he’s probably an old friend or I need to get to the bottom of this?

Can you think of something you craved for when you were young and were denied?

Have you ever found yourself attracted to someone of the same sex?