NCJ Number
80013
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1981) Pages: 1-7
Date Published
1981
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from research that investigated differences in the habituation of respiration, galvanic skin responses (GSR), and pulse wave in the use of the polygraph with a sample of mock crime suspects.
Abstract
The polygraph measures physiological changes (respiration, GSR, and pulse wave) caused by the subject's emotions. Since physiological changes differ among persons, the POT, CQT, and ZCT tests using critical and neutral questions were used for comparison. The research investigated the physiological changes that occurred when examinees made statements contrary to known facts about a mock crime. The experiment used 'a total chart minutes' concept proposed by Backster (1963). Backster recognized that differences in examinees' performance in polygraph exams are caused by habitation in each measurement index. Backster maintained, however, that individual differences in index reliability can be eliminated to achieve standardization. The experiment used 10 female and 20 males. All subjects were instructed to commit a mock theft crime, and each was then tested with a series of identical questions about the crime. The results showed the greatest degree of interpretable anticipated response in the respiratory test, followed by GSR and the pulse wave tests. Limitations in the research are noted, and suggestions for issues to be resolved in future relevant research are provided. Tables, graphs, and 13 references are listed.