Polygraph

By Laor Bar
Mechanical Engineering September 2012

Introduction

Contents
The technological transition that the lie detector has undergone in

the last decade.

The test procedure How does it work Physiological activities that are monitored by the polygraph and

how they are monitored

My opinion about the subject

Technological transition
The polygraph instrument has undergone a dramatic change in

the last decade

In the past: analog polygraph instrument Today: digital equipment

analo g

digital

Test procedure
Four to six sensors are attached to the subject Multiple signals from the sensors are recorded

The sensors usually record:

The subject's breathing rate The subject's pulse The subject's blood pressure The subject's perspiration

The subject is asked three or four simple questions to establish the norms

for his signals

In general, a significant change (such as a faster heart rate, higher blood

pressure, increased perspiration) indicates that the person is lying

So how does it work ?

A polygraph instrument is a combination of medical devices that

are used to monitor changes occurring in the body

The examiner looks to see how the person's heart rate, blood

pressure, respiratory rate and electro-dermal activity change in comparison to normal levels
Fluctuations may indicate that the person is being deceptive

Physiological activities that are monitored by the polygraph

1. Respiratory rate
Two rubber tubes filled with air, are placed around the test

subject's chest and abdomen When the chest or abdominal muscles expand, the air inside the tubes is displaced
In an analog polygraph, the displaced air acts on an accordion-like

device that contracts when the tubes expand In a digital polygraph, the two rubber tubes employ transducers to convert the energy of the displaced air into electronic signals.

2. Blood pressure/heart rate

A blood-pressure cuff is placed around the subject's upper arm In an analog polygraph, pressure changes in the vanes,

displace the air in the tubes, which moves the pen

In digital polygraphs, these signals are converted into electrical

signals by transducers

3. Electro-dermal activity
Electro dermal activity is a measure of sweat on the fingertips The idea is that we sweat more when we are placed under stress

Fingerplates, called Galvanometers (kind of transducer), are

attached to two of the subject's fingers

When the skin is hydrated (as with sweat), it conducts electricity

much more easily than when it is dry

My opinion