THE Examination Room

THE
EXAMINATION
ROOM
 the room must be semi-soundproof (to avoid
false reaction on individual with claustrophobia)
 the room must also be free from any outside
noise and distracting influences, such as
telephone, intercom, bell buzzer, etc.
 at the same time, the room must be painted with
white walls, must have limited furnishings and
should be devoid of any decorations.
 it should have a specially-built subject’s chair
with concave armrest, a table where the machine
rests (easily seen by the subject)
 must be spacious enough so that the examiner will
have a small space to write while conducting the pre-
test interview, a place for the charts and a chair for the
examiner
 the room must also be properly lighted as to avoid
glaring effects to the subject and must be sufficiently
ventilated (if air-conditioned) so that a comfortable
temperature is ensured.
 the room should also have a remote sound system or
video tape amplifier so that authorized audience or
observers, including the investigators, can monitor the
test proceedings.
It is also ideal for an examination room to have an adjoining
“observation room” with a one-way mirror for the following
reasons:
 observers, such as the subject’s lawyer and family, may want
to witness the examination procedure;
 this eliminates the possibility that the suspect accuses the
examiner of taking advantage during the examination proper;
 provides security and protection to the examiner in case a
subject becomes agitated and resorts to a physical harm;
 to prevent the subject from escaping;
 to protect the machine from any damage inflicted by the

subject to thwart the results of the examination
 to provide the examiners the chance to observe the
proceedings, just like in medical school where they allow
students to observe the actual procedure.
FIELD LABORATORY WORK
 when the polygraph
examination is to be conducted
away from the examination
room.
VALID REASONS AS TO WHY POLYGRAPH
TEST MUST BE CONDUCTED IN THE FIELD:
 The subject is at a high risk
- when the subject cannot travel due to security
reasons, as in some high profile cases and
confidential situations, where death threats are
involved.
 Cost Consideration
- when it is more expensive to bring the

subject to the examination room than for the
examiners to go to the subject, then a field
work is necessary.
 When the work of the subject is affected
- In this case, it would be better for the examiners to
conduct a test on site, because when the subject has
other things in mind, then it can affect the result of
the examination.
 Long Travel Time
- If the subject has to travel for a long time, which can

affect his health, then afield work is necessary. Rather
than wasting precious time, money and efforts, thus
increasing the likelihood of an inconclusive result, the
examiner should just go to where the subject is located.
SELECTION OF TEST SUBJECT
There are certain mental and physical
conditions that influence the suitability of a
person to the test and may adversely affect
his recorded reactions:
 Permanent Physical Illness
 Temporary Illness
 Treatment of the subject
 Pregnancy
POLYGRAPH TEST ON CHILDREN
If testing a child cannot be avoided, the examiner must be
aware of the fact that the child’s responses may be deemed
negligible due to their immaturity. To avoid these, the
following measures should ne undertaken by the examiner:
 It is necessary to condition children for the test using
exaggerated pantomime hand drawings of what a test
looks like on the charts and how the chart recordings go
along in a straight line if they are telling the truth.
 A pencil sketch rendered on paper is also advisable for
the subjects, so that if they are lying, they will be able to
picture the responses that are being recorded.
 During the pre-test interview, the examiner
should ask the child about the consequences of
a lie; if the child is in doubt, they should be
advised about the consequences of lying.
 The child should be fully aware of the fact
that a polygraph can detect a lie, if he tells one.
 The test of a young subject must also be
shorter, unlike in an adult test, in order to
eliminate the possible pain factor and to hold
his attention.
POLYGRAPH CHART PAPER

type of paper used for a polygraph.
 the polygraph chart paper comes in
three sizes, the 6 inch, 8 inch and the
10 inch roll depending on the model
of polygraph machine used during the
test.
QUESTION FORMULATION
Test question formulation must follow three simple criteria:
 Short
- the questions should be as short as possible to

prevent the subject from losing focus, minimize the
impact upon the subject, and to avoid long questions
that can confuse the subject.
 Simple
- the questions must not contain any legal

terminologies and technical terms.
 Direct
- the question must be able to stand alone and not

depend on some other questions.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
FORMULATED QUESTIONS

The question must be clear
 The question must be simply
stated
 Avoid lengthy questions
 The test questions should focus
on facts
THE TEST QUESTIONS

Within a set of test
questions there must be
relevant, irrelevant and
control questions.
RELEVANT QUESTIONS
are direct questions that have an
intense and specific relation to the
crime being investigated; these type
of questions are designed specifically
to produce an emotional response in
subject who attempt a deception.
CONTROL QUESTIONS
 are those that inquire about an act of
wrongdoing of the same general nature as
the main incident being investigated and
to which the subject must likely to lie.
These control question should be as broad
as possible.
IRRELEVANT QUESTIONS
these are questions that are

irrelevant to the crime being
investigated.

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THE

 to protect the machine from any damage inflicted by the

- when it is more expensive to bring the

- If the subject has to travel for a long time, which can

- the questions should be as short as possible to

- the questions must not contain any legal

- the question must be able to stand alone and not

these are questions that are

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