TEST QUESTIONS: TYPES AND PURPOSES examination and pointed at determining the subject’s

knowledge of complicity in, or truthfulness or deception

The polygraph test consists of asking the subject/
person though the transducer of the instrument, a list regarding the issue in question.

of prepared questions in a planned sequence; Purpose:

comprising of not more than twelve. At least 3 test
● To produce a change from the subject’s norm tracing
charts are
plus excitement level plus stimulus.
taken, each lasting not more than four (4) minutes, with
● To detect deception as a result of physiological
a rest interval of five (5) to ten (10) minutes between
changes in subject’s norm
charts.
● To resolve objectivity of the polygraph examination
There are two general types of questions to be via chat probe and further testing on potential
constructed and may be supplemented by other types
reaction that result.
of
Classes:
questions:
a. Strong or primary relevant – having an intense and
1) General Question Test – most commonly applied.
specific relationship to the offense or problem being
2) The Peak-of-Tension Test – usually used as a
considered.
supplementary test.
b. Secondary or weak relevant – deals with secondary
elements of the crime and probe mostly on guilty
There are five set of tests that maybe applied:
knowledge and partial involvement.
Test I – General Question Test - Purposes: To get the
standard tracing of the subject and to establish a true
Types:
telling pattern for the initial part of the record.
a. Sacrifice or DYAT – designed to uncover the subject’s
Test II – Number Test (Psychological Test) - To check the
attitude, cooperation towards the test. DYAT
possible deliberate distortion when the chosen
– Do you intend to answer the question truthfully?
number is asked and to obtain a chart wherein the
subject is not under stress. b. Knowledge or DYK – designed to probe whether the
subject’s possess information regarding the
Test III – Spot Responder - To determine the
responsiveness of the subject to crucial question on identity of the offender, the location of the evidence or
spot other necessary elements of the case facts, DYK
responses. – Do You Know?
Test IV – Mix Question - To compare the degree of c. Evidence Connecting questions – are questions about
reaction between control and relevant question. some specific piece of evidence found at the
Test V – Silence Answer Test (SAT) - It is a confirmatory scene of the crime, to focus the subject’s attention on
test with the silence answer test. the probability of incriminating proof that would

establish his guilt.

Types of Test Questions d. LTQ Questions – are questions used for protection
against loss of psychological control as
1. Irrelevant Questions – These are questions
formulated from information that do not relate to the approaching the end of the question series. LTQ
matter
– Lied to any Questions.
under investigation and deals with a known fact about
which the subject cannot lie. Purpose: To establish and

re-establish the subject’s normal tracing plus response 3. Control Questions – are questions regarding a
capability (excitement level) with verbal stimuli. wrongdoing, unrelated but is of similar and less serious

2. Relevant Questions – are questions formulated from nature to the investigation, and to which the subject will
the information pertaining to the subject of the lie or if he does not really lie, he will think about it at

the time it is asked or be unsure of the complete

truthfulness of his answer.
Purpose: should short as possible.

● To produce greater stress than offense (relevant) 4. Must be short as possible.

questions in the subject’s responding truthfully to
5. Their meaning must be clear and
queries about the offense.
unmistakable phrase in a language that the
● To evoke less stress than the offense (relevant)
subject can easily understand.
questions in deceitful subjects.
6. They must not be in the form of accusation.

7. Question must never contain an inference

4. Guilt Complex Questions – are questions about the
fictitious crime which is almost similar in nature and which presupposes knowledge on the part
equal in weight to the offense under investigation. of the subject.
Purpose: 8. All questions must refer to one offense only.
● To determine if the subject is a guilt complex reactor 9. All questions must refer to only one element
with an abnormal mental association.
of an offense.
● To ascertain if the subject is giving reflected reactions
due to knowledge of a complicity in crime with 10. They must not contain interferences to

similar situation. one’s religion races or belief.

● To determine if there is deception in answering the TEST TECHNIQUES

relevant questions pertaining to the offense under I. THE GENERAL QUESTION TEST (GQT) is the test about
investigation. the case under investigation. These are

sequence of relevant, irrelevant and control questions

asked in a designed order. The questions are
5. – are questions that relates about the subject trust in
the examiner regarding confinement to the arranged in order to contrast the subject’s responses
between relevant questions and control
original issue under investigation.
questions. The answer to the questions is restricted to
Purpose: To ascertain presence of subject’s hidden fears yes or no only.
or apprehension unrelated to the issue.
II. CARD OR NUMBER TEST (STIMULATION OR
VERIFICATION TEST) Upon finishing the first test,
6. SKY Questions here is another part of the test; the examiner will show
to the subject seven (7) variously numbered
S= Suspect ex. Do you suspect anyone in particular who
committed the offense? cards, face down. The cards are set in such a way the
examiner will right away know which card which
K= Know or Knowledge and
has been chosen by the subject. The numbers 7, 11, and
Y= You.
13 should not be used because other
Purpose:
subjects are too superstitious and numbers 6 and 9
● To confirm specific response from previous charts should not be included to avoid confusion on the
taken.
part of the subject. The cards with numbers 15, 8, 5, 3,
● To detect indirect/direct involvement or guilty 4, 14, and 12 are used. The subject is given an
knowledge.
instruction to get a card, look at it and memorize the
There are rules to be followed in the formulation of number of the card that was chosen and return it
questions such as the following:
without showing or telling the number to the examiner.
1. Questions must be simple and direct. After the selection is finished, the examiner

2. They must not involve legal terminology shuffles the cards and will instruct the subject to answer
NO to each question regarding the cards, even
such as rape, murder, etc.

3. They must be answerable by yes or no and

if the number of the card he has chosen is asked by the In order to have a better conclusion, supplementary
examiner. In short one of the subject’s answers tests may be conducted or incorporated as part of

the standard procedure as special test depending upon

the result of the standard test conducted.
to the questions is a LIE. The verification test is intended
to assure the innocent examinee of the 1. YES TEST is conducted when there are distortions
arose on the general question test (GQT), card or
accurateness of the test and of the test and of the
competency of the polygraphist. It further serves to third test, the yes test should be administered before
the mixed question test. The YES TEST is
arouse the guilty examinee.
performed by giving instruction to the subject to answer
III. SPOT RESPONDER TEST. This test contains questions
yes to all the questions to be asked including
previously asked in the General Question test
those questions that pertains to the issue under
(GQT). With the same number of the same question on
investigation. The control question is removed as a
the earlier test, the sequence is shown in the
preventive measure for the subject to avoid from being
table below.
concerned over the control questions and
IV. MIXED QUESTION TEST. This test is the same with
having a temptation to distort the polygraph record.
test III but questions of GQT is again mixed and
2. GUILT COMPLEX TEST is conducted when the respond
the sentences of the questions.
to the previous questions are doubtful. This
V. SILENT ANSWER TEST (SAT). In this test, the subject is
consist of a test concerning fabricated incident of a
instructed by the examiner to avoid from
similar nature but one which appears to be real is
giving any verbal answer to the questions asked
so far as the subject is concerned. The purpose of this
towards him entire the test. The subject must also be
test is to compare the responses with those that
instructed to pay attention to each question and answer
emerge on the actual test record when questions were
the question only to himself, silently. In short,
asked about the issue under investigation.
the subject should “sub-vocalize” his/her answers. Two
3. PEAK OF TENSION TEST is applicable when the subject
important points was found to be essential in
was not informed by the investigator or any
order to achieve the utmost benefits from the test:
other person or the print media of all the vital facts of
First, the subject should understand clearly that in
the offense in question. The investigator prepares
this kind of test (SAT) the subject will be asked of the
seven (7) questions in which one of them has a specific
same questions just like on his previous tests and
bearing on the case under investigation. The
is exactly in the order they were asked before. Secondly,
specific question must refer to several facts of the event
it is significant for the subject to understand
that the subject doesn’t know.
that though he is not to answer all test questions
4. THE ZONE COMPARISON TECHNIQUE (ZCT) is one of
silently in his mind with truthful answers only.
the techniques in polygraph examination
PURPOSE OF EACH TEST
developed by Cleve Backster.
I. The two irrelevant questions are designed to
It has sub-techniques to include the following:
condition the subject to have standard
1. Backster Tri-Zone Comparison Technique (BTZCT) is
tracing and establish truth-telling pattern for the
usually used for polygraph interrogation
primary part of the record.
regarding single issue; particularly used in criminal
II. To check possible distortion when the selected
investigation.
number is asked.
2. Matte Quadri-Track Comparison Technique (MQZCT)
III. To determine the responsiveness of the subject to
was developed by Prof. James Allan Matte in
critical questions and also serves as a
1977 after 2 years of research and experimentation with
check on possibility of spot respond.
facetious (teasing) crime test used in
IV. To serve as affirmative check.

conjunction with actual test in real life circumstances;

THE SUPPLEMENTARY TESTS employed to deal with an innocent subject’ fear of
error and the guilty subject’s hope of error. questions to a subject. It was Cleve Backster who
developed and introduced uniform chart marking.
3. Bi-Spot Zone Comparison Technique (BZCT) was
In1959, he
developed by the DoDPI also known as BiZone
completed a 4-page article entitle “Uniform Chart
Comparison Test.
Marking” which was published by CH Stoelting
4. Integrated Zone Comparison Technique (IZCT) was Company.
developed in 1987 by Nathan J. Gordon,
Standardized chart markings used by the PE/FP in
William W. Waid and Philip M. Cocheti; most significant conducting a polygraph examination enable the
deviation from the original ZCT of Cleve
reconstruction of the test conditions for subsequent
Backster. independent review and analysis.

5. The Utah Zone Comparison Technique (UZCT) is the Two Types Chart Markings
improved version of BZCT.Some traditional
1. Primary Markings = these are markings which indicate
polygraph examiners still use and they usually the beginning and end of examination as well
administer it in this manner:
as the questions and answers of the subject. These are
a. Chart I: ZCT without SKY usually placed at the bottom or top of the

b. Chart II: Card or Number Test (Stimulation Test) polygraph chart

c. Chart III: ZCT without SKY a. X – it indicates the start of the test. The examiner
informs the subject that the test is about to
d. Chart IV: ZCT without SKY
begin.

b. I I – is a stimulus mark. The first vertical line marks

CHART MARKING when the examiner starts asking question.
It is the process of writing standard and customized Second vertical line marks when the examiner finishes
signs on the polygraph chart to denote the asking question.
subject’s reactions and other circumstances that occur c. + - a positive sign which indicates that the subject
during the actual polygraph test. Marking the paper answers the question with “yes”. This also
chart while the polygraph pens are writing on it will indicates the period when the subject answers the
facilitate the evaluation and interpretation of the question and usually followed by a “number”
subject’s
indicating the order number of question, example +3,
reactions. +4, +5….)
Chart marking is a procedure that plays a vital role. d. – a negative sign indicating that the subject answers
Neglecting the appropriate chart marking the stimulus with “no”. This also indicates
procedure for a couple of seconds may cause the period when the subject answers the question and
misinterpretations later on that further result to tragic usually followed by a “number”.
consequences. Simply failing to punctually write the e. XX – indicates the end of test.
stimulus marks on the paper chart that will cause

misinterpretation of the polygram.

2. Secondary Markings = are markings which are placed
Stimulus marks are short vertical lines (normally about only if the examinee does something which will
1/8 of an inch) placed below the descending
cause the physiological tracings to distort. These
stroke of the cardio tracing denoting exactly the markings are usually placed below the affected
beginning and at the end of the stimulus question.
tracing.
Polygram refers to the complete record of the
pneumograph, cardiograph and galvanograph tracings a. M – Movement

from the moment the actual questioning of the subject b. T – Talking

starts until it ends. It contains the tracings (norm and
c. DB – Deep Breath
deviation from norm), stimulus marks and symbols
d. C – Cough
skillfully written by the polygraph examiner while asking
e. CT – Clear Throat
f. SW – Swallow exceptional physical build condition or respiratory
defect. The classification of abnormal is generally
g. SNF – Sniff
applied to those patterns that deviate from the norm
h. Y – Yawn
established by the individual.
i. SZ – Sneeze
Descriptive types of breathing are:
j. LGH – Laugh
⮚ Normal; Rapid; Slow; Shallow; Deep; Serrated
k. SLP – Sleep inhalation / or both;

l. B – Belch ⮚ Deviations caused by coughing and mechanics of

answering
m. OSN – Outside Noise
⮚ Pneumograph changes from the individual norm
n. ISN – Inside Noise
which may be indicative of deception are:
o. EE – Examiner Error
▪ Change in rhythm or regularity;
p. WRQ – Will Repeat Question
▪ Change in amplitude or volume;
q. MI – Movement Instruction
▪ Change in the inhalation/exhalation
r. TI – Talking Instruction
ratio;
s. AI – Answering Instruction

t. BI – Breathing Instruction
▪ Notched or serrated
u. WU – Wake-Up
inhalation/exhalation strokes;
v. TDB – Take Deep Breath
▪ Change of base line;
CHART INTERPRETATION
▪ Loss of base line;
A. The accuracy of instrumental detection of deception
is dependent upon the examiner’s ability to
▪ Hyperventilation;
diagnose truth or deception by reading and interpreting
a subject’s charts. The polygraph chart is the ▪ Suppression;
composite record of the pneumograph, cardiograph and ▪ Respiratory block
galvanograph tracing from one series of
C. The galvanograph tracing, normally located at the
questions. The chart is ruled vertically to represent time center position. If the chart, when properly
element at an interval of either in second, five
balanced takes from of as lightly wavering line across
seconds of ten seconds division and horizontally in the middle portion of the chart with a minor
fractions of ¼ inch for amplitude measurements.
response to spoken stimuli. Galvanic tracings which may
There are three heavy spaced horizontal lines that serve be indicative of deception are:
as the guideline for the 3 tracings. The motor
1. Vertical rise at point of deception
that pills the chart under the recording pens has a
constant speed of either 6 or 12 inches per-minute. 2. Double saddle response

A single test may consist of three or more charts taken 3. Long duration and / or degree of response following
from one series of questions. point of deception

B. The pneumograph tracing normally, found at the top 4. Plugging salvo tracing
of the chart, is a record of a subject’s D. The cardiosphygmograph tracing normally found at
respiratory action during the questioning process and is the bottom of the chart, is the three
classified as normal or abnormal. The physiological phenomena, a systolic stroke, a diastolic
pneumograph pattern consists of inhalation and stroke and a dichotic notch. Normal pulse rate
exhalation strikes with a normal amplitude of form ½ to of the average individual is 72 to 80 beats per minute
¾ inches. The normal cyclic rate is from 13 to 18 breaths and may vary due to the emotional tone of the
per minute and may vary in reasons of subject. Amplitude or volume is also subject to variation
and dictated by the physiological structure of
the person and the cuff pressure. 1. Pneumograph – this occupies the two top/upper pens
of the instrument which records the thoracic and
Tracing taking the form of specific responses indicative
of deception are: abdominal breathing patterns of respiration. This is
accomplished through the use of a pneumograph
1. Increase or decrease in blood pressure
consisting of two hollow corrugated tubes about seven
2. Increase or decrease in pulse rate
inches in length, each attached to a unit by a rubber
3. Increase or decrease in amplitude
hose no longer than six feet and no larger than one
4. Change in position or disappearance of dichotic notch quarter inch in diameter. This breathing pneumo unit is
a
5. Extra systoles (premature contradiction of an auricle
or ventricle while fundamental rhythm low-pressure unit. The inhalation/exhalation of the
subject causes the tubes to expand and contract,
of the heart is maintained) thereby

reflecting the change through bellows to the pen into

E. In the interpretation and analysis of charts taken in a the chart.
Peak of Tension Test, the following area 2. Galvanograph – this is the longest and the third pen
considered in the evaluation of the level tracings: of the instrument. The electrodes are attached to the

1. An increase or decrease to point of deception then a index finger and the ring finger of the left hand, or to
level tracing. the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the left hand. The

2. An increase to point of deception and an increase electrodes used for obtaining the recording of the GSR
or electrodermal responses, are fastened to the hand
3. A decrease to point of deception and then an
increase Level tracing to point of deception or fingers by means of the passage of an imperceptible
amount of electrical current through the hand or fingers
and then a decrease or increase
bearing the attached electrodes, a galvanometer unit
4. Erratic to point of deception and then an erratic provides recording of the variation in the flow of the
tracing
electrical current.
5. Smooth to point of deception and then an erratic
tracing 3. Cardiosphymograph – this is the fourth and the
bottom pen of the instrument. This cardio unit is a
6. Any changes that may occur at point of deception
mechanically operated unit. It is a high-pressure system.
F. Other factors; that specific response to be considered This system records changes in mean blood
as possible deception in chart evaluation
pressure, rate and strength of pulse beat by means of a
1. Distribution of reactions medical blood pressure cuff containing a rubber
2. Degree of reactions bladder that is wrapped around the upper arm, in a
3. Trend of gross curve manner that places the bladder against the brachial
artery.
4. Rate of change of the curve
The bladder is connected to the rubber hose, past a
5. Latent period of reaction pressure indicating gauge to a very sensitive bellows
and
6. Duration of reaction
its connected lever system that powers the pen. The
G. For an effective chart interpretation, the following
polygraphist inflates the bladder with a hand pump to a
rules must be followed:
constant air pressure that will provide tracing amplitude
1. There must be a specific response
of 0.75 to 1 inch with a dicrotic notch situated about the
2. To be specific, it must form a deviation from norm
middle of the diastolic limb of the tracing.
3. It must appear in at least two (2) test charts
4. Kymograph – this is the chart recording unit of the
4. The best indication of deception is the simultaneous instrument. It has a synchronized motor that drives the
specific responses in the three (3)
chart at the rate of six inches per minute and its speed
tracings of the chart. constant is vital because the vertical lines, which are
spaced either at one-half or one-inch interval,
represents five-seconds or ten-seconds interval on the
chart.

This provides the polygraphist with a means of

determining pulse rate and question spacing.

ATTACHMENT OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF

POLYGRAPH

A polygraph is in fact several instruments combined to

simultaneously record changes in blood

pressure, pulse, respiration and skin resistance. The

electrical conductivity of the skin’s surface can also be

measured through the increasing sweat gland activity

that reduces the skin’s ability to carry electrical current.

The pneumograph tube is fastened around the subject’s

torso and belly. The blood pressure cuff is placed on

the right arm in such a way that the rubber bladder part
should be located over the brachial artery. The

electrodes or Galvanic Skin Reflex (GSR) is attached on

the palm or index finger and ring finger of the left

hand of the subject. Position the subject in a manner

that he looks straight ahead with the instrument and
the

examiner to the right side or rear somewhat ahead of

the kymograph or chart drive so that the polygraph

tracings will not distract him.