FOR5: Lie Detection Techniques

2nd Semester, S.Y. 2020-2021

HANDOUT No. 16: Chart Interpretation

I. LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lecture, the students should be able to:

1. Identify the validated techniques and scoring system

2. Demonstrate chart scoring techniques
3. Apply the guidelines for chart scoring

II. CONTENT

Validated Techniques and Scoring Systems (American Polygraph Association)

Characteristics of a Valid Technique

Test format that conforms to valid principles relating to: target selection, question
formulations, and in-test presentation of the stimulus questions.

Validated Methods for Test Data Analysis

At least two studies (original and replication) published in “POLYGRAPH”, or other

peer reviewed journals, government publications or edited academic texts.

Validated Techniques

● FEDERAL ZCT
● UTAH ZCT ( PLC/DLC)
● AFMGQT
● DLST
● BACKSTER You- Phase
● CIT
● IZCT
● MQTZCT

Four (4) Major Standardized TDA Methods

● 7 position US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SCORING SYSTEM

● UTAH SCORING SYSTEM
 ● ESS
● LYKKEN SCORING SYSTEM

TEST DATA ANALYSIS

The systematic process by which a particular set of decisions is applied to the

evaluation of diagnostic features and other physiological data resulting in one of
the three outcome decisions.

● DI/SR
● NDI/NSR
● INC/NO

Types of Test Data Analysis

GLOBAL TEST DATA ANALYSIS

- A system of rendering an opinion by viewing the polygraph chart as a whole as

opposed to making a systematic comparison among questions.

- use in RELEVANT/IRRELEVANT TECHNIQUE, PEAK of TENSION TEST and Reid’s

GQT

TYPES of TDA

NUMERICAL TEST DATA ANALYSIS

- A systematic assignment of numerical values to physiological responses ,

and decision rules that are based on the sum of those numerical values.

- use in ZCT, MGQT

SEVEN-POINT SCALE

NUMERICAL VALUE

+3 = Maximum Truthful Score

+2 = Truthful Score

+1 = Minimum Truthful Score

- 1 = Minimum Deception Score

- 2 = Deception Score

- 3 = Maximum Deception Score

THREE-POINT SCALE

+ 1 = if the reaction to the CQ is stronger

0
 - 1 = if the reaction to the RQ is stronger

TYPES of NUMERICAL SCORING

BACKSTER SCORING SYSTEM

- complex, with high rate of false-positive errors

US ARMY MILITARY POLICE SCHOOL POLYGRAPH BRANCH (1970)

- simplified the criteria and rules of Backster method

- uses up to 27 physiological features

UNIVERSITY of UTAH SCORING SYSTEM

- reduce the number of physiological features from 27 to 10

- assessment of reaction is based on principles of psychophysiology

EMPIRICAL SCORING SYSTEM

- based on Bigger –is- Better scoring principle

4 MAJOR STANDARDIZED TDA METHODS

● LYKKEN SCORING
● US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SCORING SYSTEM
● UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SCORING SYSTEM
● EMPIRICAL SCORING SYSTEM

LYKKEN SCORING SYSTEM

Introduced by David Lykken (1959-1960)

Use for CIT/GKT

Entails the ranking of the electrodermal response amplitude from 2 to 0, if the

largest EDR takes place on the key item, the score for the test is 2, if the largest
EDR takes place on the key item, the score is 1, all others are scored 0.

Reactions to the first buffer are ignored.

The cut off for the result of RI ( reaction indicated) is equal to the number of CIT
subtest.

UTAH SCORING SYSTEM

➔ Introduced by David Raskin (1970)

➔ Simplified version of the numerical scoring system techniques introduced
by Backster in 1963 and modified by the US Army in 1970.
➔ Uses a 7 position scale numerical scoring
➔ Relevant question is normally compared to the preceding comparison
question
 ➔ If the preceding CQ is distorted by an artifact, use the closest artifact free
CQ for evaluation.
➔ Scores are assigned in each channel without reference to scores in the
other channels.
➔ Note general chart variability/stability
➔ Examine charts for artifacts and distortion(DB’s, MVT’s,SNF)
➔ Reaction must generally start between question onset, and 5 seconds
after the subjects answered.
➔ EDR and Plethysmograph channels have additional minimum latencies
after question onset.
➔ Reactions that begin on time may generally be scored up to 20 second
after question onset.
➔ Positive (+) scores are assigned when the reaction to a CQ is stronger.
➔ Negative (-) scores are assigned when the reaction to a RQ is stronger.
➔ A zero is assigned if there is no difference between CQ and RQ

UTAH SCORING SYSTEM

0 = No Difference

+/-1= Noticeable difference

+/-2= Strong and clear difference

+/-3= Dramatic difference, stable tracing &strongest on the chart

RESPIRATION

Respiration is scored first ,to note any artifacts that may affect other channel
(DB’s, MVT’s, SNF).

Reactions are indicated by reduction in respiratory activity.

1. decrease in amplitude

2. elevated baseline

3. apnea (blocking)

4. slowing of rate

Respiratory Features

ELECTRODERMAL

Reaction cannot begin before .5 seconds after question onset

Amplitude measured from onset to peak

If reaction started early, measure from point of inflection

Use caution when evaluating reaction that occur during recovery

ELECTRODERMAL

+/- 1 = amplitude is double or 1.5 plus duration or complexity

+/-2 = amplitude is triple or 1.5 plus duration or complexity

+/-3 = amplitude is quadruple, tracing is stable and largest on chart

Electrodermal Features...

CARDIOVASCULAR

Rise in tracing, usually clearer on diastolic side

Duration

+/- 1 = ratio of 1.5 to 1

+/- 2 = ratio of 2 to 1

+/- 3 = ratio of 3 to 1

only one 3 scores per chart and it has to be the largest reaction on the chart

Cardio Features.

DECISION CRITERIA

SINGLE ISSUE = grand total is +/- 6

NDI = grand total of +6 or greater

DI = grand total of -6 or less

INC = scores between -5 and +5

if INC, conduct additional two chart

Cutting score of +/- 6 remains the same for 5 charts

MULTIPLE-FACETED = if/then

1. Used in examinations where the subject may be truthful to some but not to
all the RQ.

2. If spot totals are al positive or all negative,

Then, use the +/-6 grand total rule.

3. If any of the spot totals are opposite, some positive and some negative
( ignoring scores of 0),

Then, use a SPOT SCORE RULE (SSR) for each spot.

SPOT SCORE RULE

NDI = +3 or greater at every spot

 DI = -3 0r less at any spot

Examinees fail the test not on individual questions

EMPIRICAL SCORING SYSTEM

Introduced in 2008 by R. Nelson, M. Handler and D. Krapohl

Derived from experiment and observation rather than theory

Simple, least complicated

Use five diagnostic features

PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNALS

RESPIRATION

1. decrease in amplitude for 3 cycles

2. decrease in rate for 3 cycles

3. temporary increase in baseline

EDA

1. amplitude

CARDIO

1. amplitude

Respiratory Features...

EDA

CARDIO

ESS Rules

1. Assign 3- position scores to each component, using the BIGGER is BETTER Rule
on the stronger bracketing CQ for each component.

- if you can see it, point to it, and argue it is BIGGER, then you can score
it.

- score all EDA with +/-2

ESS

2. Score only timely reactions.

- don’t score reactions that begin before the stimulus onset/latency long
after the answer

3. Don’t score ugly, unstable, and artifacted data.

 -leave blank, mark “A” or “/” or score zero (0)

ESS

Use three position scores (+/-)

RESPIRATION x1

EDA x2

CARDIO x1

weights are applied regardless of the magnitude of difference in response

example; even tiny difference in EDA are scored +/-2

DECISION RULES

ZONE COMPARISON TEST

Total score of more than +2 (ignore spot)= NSR/NDI

Total score less than -4 = SR/DI

If INC, then any spot less than -7= SR/DI

DECISION RULES

BI ZONE/YOU PHASE

Total is more than +2 (ignore spot)= NSR/NDI

Total of less than -4 = SR/DI

If INC, then any spot less than -6 = SR/DI

DECISION RULES

MGQT and DLST

SR = if any subtotal is less than -3

NSR = when all subtotal is more than +1

INC = other result

US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SCORING SYSTEM

Oldest

A modification of the Backster Scoring System

Originally based on 22 diagnostic features (USAMPS)

In 2006, DoDPI made changes in physiological features ( kept 8 main

features and introduced 3 auxiarlary features

VARIATION of US FEDERAL GOVT TDA

 ● 7 POSITION SCALE
● 7 POSITION EVIDENTIARY
● 3 POSITION SCALE

RESPIRATION

Reaction begins from the start of the question to one full cycle after the answer
for at least 3cycles.

PNEUMOGRAPH DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

● SUPPRESSION (decrease in amplitude)

● APNEA
● CHANGE in INHALATION/EXHALATION RATIO
● PROGRESSIVE DECREASE IN AMPLITUDE
● SLOWING of RATE
● TEMPORARY CHANGE IN BASELINE( Secondary)

ELECTRODERMAL

Reaction begins from the stimulus on et to the answer up to return to baseline

● EDA DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

● AMPLITUDE (main feature)
● COMPLEXITY
● DURATION

Complexity and duration is taken into account only when both compared EDA
amplitudes are similar

CARDIO

● Start of reaction is from stimulus onset to the end of the answer.

● Range of reaction is from start to return to baseline.
● CARDIO DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES
● INCREASE OF BASELINE ( main feature)
● DECREASE IN PULSE RATE(if main feature does not occur)
● DURATION (Auxiliarly)

when compared changes of baseline are equal.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

7 POSITION SCALE:

0 = no response to compare

+/-1 = subtle difference

+/-2 = definite difference

+/-3 = dramatic difference

PNEUMOGRAPH

+/- 1 = USUAL SCORE

+/- 2 = RARE SCORE

+/- 3 = NEVER

In case of two equivalent diagnostic features, measure the time window of

longer reaction and then compare the length line ( RLL) in the same time
window of reaction.

RESPIRATION LINE LENGTH

Refers to the linear measurement of a waveform over a specified period

of time

● apnea blocking
● decrease in Amplitude
● progressive decrease in amplitude
● decrease in cyclic rate
● inhalation/exhalation (i/e) ratio change

ELECTRODERMAL

+/- 1 = if ratio is not more than 3:1

+/- 2 = if ratio is 3:1

+/- 3 = if ratio is more than 4:1

If there is no reaction to one of the compared questions, apply the rule

regarding quantity of chart division;

+/- 1 = up to 2 division

+/- 2 = from 2 to 3 division

+/- 3 = more than 3 division

CARDIO

+/- 1 = up to 2 times greater increase in baseline

+/- 2 = from 2 to 3 times greater reaction

+/- 3 = at least 3 times greater reaction

If there is no reaction to one of the compared questions, apply the rule

regarding quantity of chart division;

+/-1 = up to 2 division

+/-2 = from 2 to 3 division

 +/-3 = more than 3 division

ZONE COMPARISON TECHNIQUE

DI = if grand total is less than -6 or any subtotal less than -3

NDI = if every subtotal is more than +1 and grand total more than +6

INC = other results

YOU PHASE ( BI-ZONE)

DI = when grand total is less than -4 or any subtotal less than -3

NDI = if all subtotal is greater than +1 and grand total is more than +4

INC = other result

(R.S Lotivo)

III.KEY POINTS FOR REVIEW

Validated Techniques

● The validated techniques for chart scoring by the American Polygraph

Association are the FEDERAL ZCT, UTAH ZCT ( PLC/DLC), AFMGQT DLST,
BACKSTER You- Phase, CIT, IZCT and MQTZCT.

IV. READINGS AND REFERENCES

● American Polygraph Society

● R.S Lotivo

Prepared by:

QUEENDA C. ARCIBAL, RCrim, CCS, MSCJ

Instructor, 2nd Semester, S.Y. 2020-2021

Approved by:

MARCELO L. MONTANIO, PhD

Dean, College of Criminology