Formulating Test Questions

The following discussions are important in the evaluation of polygraph

examination result:

What are the rules to be followed in the formulation of test questions?

a. Questions must be simple and direct.

b. They must not involve legal terminology such as rape, murder, etc.

c. They must be answerable by yes or no.

d. Must be short as possible.

e. Their meaning must be clear and unmistakable phrased in a language that the subject can easily understand.

f. They must not be in the form of accusation.

g. Question must never contain an inference which presupposes knowledge on the part of the subject.

h. All questions must refer to one offense only.

i. All questions must refer to only one element of an offense.

j. They must not contain interferences to ones religion races or belief

Types of Test Questions

What are the Types of Test Questions and how they are constructed?

The polygraph test consists of asking the subject/person through a list of prepared questions in a planned sequence comprising of not more than
twelve. At least 3 test charts are taken, each lasting not more than four (4) minutes with a rest interval of five (5) to ten (10) minutes between charts.

There are two general types of questions to be constructed and maybe supplemented by other types of questions:

1. General Question Test (GQT) commonly applied - the most commonly applied.

2. Peak-of-Tension Test (PTT) which is usually used as supplementary test.

There are also five set of tests that maybe applied during the polygraph examination process:

Test I General Question Test - The purpose is to get the standard tracing of the subject and to establish a true telling pattern for the initial part of the
record.

Test II - Number Test (Psychological Test) - The purpose is to check the possible deliberate distortion when the chosen number is asked and to obtain a chart
wherein the subject is not under stress.

Test III - Spot Responder - The purpose is to determine the responsiveness of the subject to crucial question on spot responses.

Test IV – Mix Question – The purpose is to compare the degree of reaction between control and relevant question.

Test V - Silence Answer Test (SAT) - It is a confirmatory test.

Sample Set of General Question Test

How does the General Question Test (GQT) formulated?

The GQT consists of a series of Relevant and Irrelevant Questions asked in a planned order. Questions are so arranged as to make a comparison of responses to
relevant questions with a subject's norm made during the answering of irrelevant questions.

The Relevant Questions

Functionally, relevant questions are questions directly related to the offense under investigation. In pre-employment and periodic screening, the area of
interest may be the subjects' entire background. Thus, there may be a series of relevant questions, such as "Have you ever been fired from a job?" or, "Have you
stolen more than P50 in one year from any of your employers?".

Relevant questions are further classified according to its stimulation effect when applied, namely:

Strong Relevant or Primary Relevant Question - which has an intense relationship to the crime or problem being considered. This is
intended to produce strong emotional response in guilty subjects.
Example: Did you steal Nick's iPod?

Secondary or Weak relevant - Are questions that concern with elements of the crime and deals mostly on guilty knowledge and partial involvement.

Example: Between 10:00 to 12:00 a.m., 10 February 2011, did you open the table drawer of Mr. de la Cruz?

Further, the weak relevant is classified into the following:3

 Sacrifice relevant or DYAT questions (Do you intend to Answer Truthfully) -designed to absorb the response generally generated by the introduction of
the first relevant questions in the series. Reaction to these questions gives the examiner a clue as to the subject's attitude of willingness or
voluntariness to submit to the test.

Example: Regarding the stolen iPod, do you intend truthfully to answer each question about that?

 Knowledge questions - This type of question is propounded to the subject to detect information about a crime that only a guilty subject would have.
Such information might include details about the site of the crime or the means of committing it, such as the type of weapon used.

It is hypothesized that guilty subjects will exhibit a different physiological response to the correct (relevant) detail than to the incorrect
details, but that innocent subjects will respond the same to all the items.

Example: Do you know for sure who stole the iPod of Nick?

At this instance, the phrase "for sure "is included to eliminate further suspicion just in case the subject knew the offender and the
location of the evidence but is only hesitant to answer "yes".

 Evidence-connecting Question - This has to do with inviting subject's attention the on the probability of incriminating proof that would tend to establish
his guilt, by linking him and his predicaments to the fingerprints, footprints, tool marks, etc. collected at the crime scene.

Example: Were the footprints outside the house of Nick yours?

The Control Questions

Control questions, are used for purposes of comparison. Essentially, truthful subjects are believed by polygraph examiners to be more
concerned (and, thus, more physiologically aroused) about control than relevant questions. The responses to both control and relevant questions are
compared.

Control questions have two kinds:

• Primary Control Question - Recalls the offense done from the time of childhood up to three to five years before the occurrence of the present
offense being investigated.

Example: Before reaching the age of 28, have you ever stolen anything?

Secondary control Question - More specific in nature, it is based upon another sort of wrongdoing which will enhance the subject's opportunity for
responsiveness. includes up to examination.

Example: Have you ever stolen anything from this locality?

The formulation of both types of control questions necessitates reasonable certainty that the subject's answer is a lie. It is theorized that although guilty
subjects will also be concerned about control questions, they will be more concerned about and thus exhibit more physiological reactions
to relevant questions.

The Irrelevant (Neutral) Questions

Types of questions which have no importance to the case under investigation, these are questions which are believed to have no, or very little
emotional impact on a subject. Thus, such questions can be used as an indicator of a particular subject's normal baseline level of arousal. This must precede
the relevant ones.

Examples: Did you eat today?

Do you smoke?
Are you wearing brown leather jacket now?
Do you live in Burgos Street, Bacolod City?
Sample Set of General Question Test (GQT)

1. Have you ever been called by the name Pedro? (Irrelevant)

2. Is today Monday? (Irrelevant)
3. Do you have anything to do with the robbery at SM (Shoe Mart) last night? (Weak Relevant)
4. Are you over 20 years of age? (Irrelevant)
5. Were you one of those who robbed the SM last night? (Strong Relevant)
6. Have you been involved in a robbery case this year? (Control Question-Relevant)
7. Do you drink water? (Irrelevant)
8. Was the pair of gloves found at SM yours? (Evidence Connecting-Relevant)
9. Do you know of anyone involved in the robbery at SM last night? (Knowledge Question-Relevant)
10. Have you ever been involved in any robbery in your entire life? (Secondary Control Relevant)
11. Have you deliberately lied to any question I have asked (optional) you? (Relevant- Check Question
What are Other Questions that maybe asked in the Polygraph Technique?

1. Check Question - last question asked in the lie test. It is direct question that relates to the fact that the subject has told the truth to all questions asked in the lie
test.

2. Fishing Expedition Test Question - Used to vagrants or loiters for routine interrogation. No idea about what offense has been committed.

Examples: Have you ever been arrested before? Are you wanted anywhere now by the police?

Supplementary Test Questions

What are the Supplementary Test Questions and how they are constructed?

Aside from the standard tests described earlier, the following special tests may be performed and incorporated as part of the procedure or may be
used as supplementary tests depending upon the result of the standard test in order to draw a better conclusion:

PEAK-OF-TENSION TEST (PTT)

The subject may be given this test if he is not yet informed of the details of the offense for which he is being interrogated by the investigation, or by other persons or
from other sources like the print media. This valid test is only made when there is no widespread publicity about a crime where intimate details as to the
methods of commission or certain facts of the case is known from the victim and investigator.

The questions formulated are similar in nature and construction, only one of which is true and the perpetrator who would naturally be in
possession of such unpublicized knowledge will usually exhibit a rise in the tracing up to that particular question followed by a decline thereafter, caused by the
relief of knowing that a dreaded question dangerous to his well-being, is past.

Examples of Peak-of-Tension Test

a. Do you know whether the stolen watch from Rommel is a Rolex? (This is an introductory phrase plus padding question)

b. Is it an Omega? (Padding)

c. Is it a Seiko? (Padding) d. Is it Timex? (Relevant question)

e. Is it Alba quartz? (Padding)

f. Is it a Citizen? (Padding

GUILT COMPLEX TEST (GCT)

This test is applied when the response to relevant and control questions are similar in degree and in consistency and in a way that the examiner cannot determine
whether the subject is telling the truth or not. The subject is asked questions aside from the irrelevant, relevant and control questions, a new series of relevant
questions dealing with a real incident and that which the subject could not have committed.

If the subject does not respond to the added relevant questions, it indicates that the subject was being deceptive as to the primary issue under investigation.
However, no conclusion can be drawn if the response to added guilt complex is similar to the real issue questions.

Example: Did you steal that Ferrari toy collection?

On this case the stealing of Ferrari toy collection was not actually committed because the alleged crime investigated was the loss of the iPod.

SYMPTOMATIC QUESTION

Its function is to detect and evaluate the presence of outside issues which may suppress response to relevant questions. This is often true that the subject is fear that
they might be asked about another cases in which they are involved but are not the subject matter under investigation.

Example: Are you completely convinced that I will not ask any question on this test that has not already been reviewed?

S.K.Y. QUESTIONS

S- Stands for Suspect

K-Means Knowledge

Y- Refers to "you" as the subject

These three questions are based on the Backster Technique grouped together to confirm the previous charts and may detect indirect involvement on guilty
knowledge.

Examples
(S) Do you suspect anyone in particular of stealing Nick's Ipod?

(K) Do you know for sure who stole Nick's Ipod?

(Y) Did you steal Nick's Ipod?

SILENT ANSWER TEST (SAT)

This test is conducted in the same manner as when relevant and control questions are asked but the subject is instructed to answer the questions
silently, to himself, without making any verbal response causes distortion in the tracing such as sniff or clearing the throat.

ZONE COMPARISON TEST

ZONE - a twenty to thirty five seconds block of polygraph chart time initiated by a question having a unique psychological focusing appeal to a predictable
group of examinees.

The Five (5) Variations of the Zone Comparison Test (ZCT) are:

1. Matte Quadri-track Zone Comparison Technique - is a polygraph technique used exclusively for single-issue tests. It was developed by Matte after two years of
research and experimentation with fictitious crime test used in conjunction with actual test in real- life situations. This test also employ the Backster's basic
test structure and quantification system with some refinements and addition of another spot consisting of a control/relevant question pair to deal with
examinees "fear of error" and the guilty examinees "hope of error".

2. Backster Tri-Zone Comparison Technique- permits the use of inside track "fear of error" control question and the "hope of error". When the Backster zone
comparison technique does not incorporate the fear/hope of error questions. The only difference remaining in the test structure between numbers one techniques is
the position of symptomatic questions which are opposite.

The color coding according to Backster are:

Green zone- for the Control questions

Red zone- for the Relevant questions

Black zone- for the Symptomatic questions

3. The Department of Defense Polygraph Institute (DODPI) Bi-Spot Zone Comparison Technique - The first zone contains the relevant questions
concerning, Primary, Secondary and S-K-Y (Suspicion Knowledge You questions. The second zone, is used when there is only one question or issue that must be
addressed in the examination.

4. Integrated Zone Comparison Technique- developed in 1987 by Nathan J. Gordon, William M. Waid and Philip M. Cocheti. This technique has the
most significant departure from the original zone comparison technique developed by Cleve Backster.

5. The Utah Zone Comparison Technique- the structure of this technique is basically the same for single issue test as it is for multiple issue tests.
Note: After all the five administered and the polygraph examiner was not able to make a definite diagnosis, an arrangement should be made for a re-examination of
the subject at a later date. During this discussion where examiner finalizes the arrangement for re-examination, it would be helpful to observe the subject comments
and general behavior ordinarily different from those of a subject who is determined to be lying. Experience shown that persons who are truthful would
comply and adhere to the pre- scheduled re-examination even if not under the custody of the police; on the other hand untruthful subjects are prone to break the
promise or arrangement to come back for a re-examination.
FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS OF POLYGRAPH MACHINE AND ITS PARTS

1. PNEUMOGRAPH

Consist of pneumographic tubes: Rubber corrugated or convoluted tube which has a length
of a 10 inches.
Recording pen size five(5) inches
First to attach is the abdomen assembly and followed by chest assembly
KEYWORDS: Breathing, Respiration and Respiratory
TRACING: location-UPPER PORTION, Color-GREEN
Pneumo 1 pneumatic connection for upper (thoracic) pneumograph.
Pneumo 2 pneumatic connection for lower (abdominal) pneumography
Abdominal pneumograph – lower region respiratory activity monitoring
Thoracic pneumograph – upper region respiratory activity monitoring

Designed to detect and record changes if respiration

a. Rubber convoluted tube – 10 inches corrugated rubber attached to the body of the subject.
b. Beaded chain – used to lock the rubber convoluted tube.
c. Recording pen unit – consisting two 5 inches recording pen.
d. Centering knob – used to center the knob.
e. Sensitivity knob – used to adjust the desire sized of tracing
f. Vent – used to release excess pressure from the system.
g. Pneumo module – located inside the instrument that receives the reactions detected by the
corrugated tube and moves the pen to record the reactions on the chart.
2. GALVANOGRAPH
Consist of finger plates or finger electrodes be attached primarily on the first joint of INDEX
and RING FINGERS of non-dominant hand.
Seven (7) inches recording pen
It is the third pen and LONGEST PEN
KEYWORDS: Sweating, Skin resistance, Perspiration, Electro dermal response
TRACING: Location-CENTER, Color-BLUE

Designed to detect changes in skin resistance of the subject consist of color blue ink:
a. Finger electrode assembly consist of:
i) finger electrode plate and retainer bond – attached to the index and ring finger of the
subject.
ii) connecting plug – attached the system to the instrument.
b. GSR module – located inside the instrument that receives the reactions detected by the
finger electrodes and moves the pen to record the reaction on the chart
3. CARDIOGRAPH OR CARDIOSPHYMOGRAPH

Consist of arm cuff (rubber bladder) which tied around the biceps targeting the brachial
artery, hand pump bulb to fill air into the arm cuff.
 Blood pressure gauge is being attached on the opposite where fingerplates are being
attached.
Five(5) inches recording pen
KEYWORDS: Heart/blood pressure, Pulse rate
TRACING: location - BOTTOM, color – RED
1. Relative blood volume/pressure – is the changes in the average value of the cardio tracing
(waveform) with respect to the baseline.
a. Systolic blood pressure – upward movement of Cardio pen caused by contraction of the
heart.
b. Diastolic blood pressure – downward movement of cardio pen caused by relaxation of the
heart.
2. Pulse amplitude – is the changes in pulse amplitude (tracing height) independent of the
baseline
3. Pulse rate – changes in heart rate or time between pulse.
4. Dicrotic notch – changes in the relative position of dicrotic notch or pulse waveform (short
horizontal notch in a cardio-tracing located at the middle of the diastolic stem)
- Designed to detect changes in cardiovascular activity of the subject. Consist of:
a. Blood pressure cuf – attached to the upper right arm of the subject, above brachial artery.
Arm cuff
b. Sphygmomanometer – used to indicate the amount of air pressure inflated to the system.
Usually 60 mm of mercury for male subject.
c. Air pump/pump bulb – designed to supply air to the system.
d. Cardio module – located inside the instrument that receives the reactions detected by the
cuff and moves the pen to record the reactions on the chart.

4. KYMOGRAPH
 It is a motor that drives the paper at the rate of 6 inches or 12 inches per minute
 It is also considered as the inking and recording system