A polygraph test is a very complex tool that identifies the physiological indices of an individual while answering questions. The responses are then further rated or evaluated with the view of having an idea or as a conclusion whether the person is telling a truth or a lie.
How it works
Physiological Indicators: It was observed that during a polygraph examination, the following physiological markers are recorded:
- Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: The examiner measures changes in the blood pressure, and the rate of contraction of the heart.
- Respiration: rate of Breathing is measured.
- Skin Conductivity: Small metal clips in contact with fingertips measure skin response or skin conductivity (the GSR).
Questioning Techniques: The examiner asks a number of questions which were based on a specific set of questions. Two common techniques are:
- Control Question Test (CQT): This format therefore maps the subject’s responses for the relevant questions (for instance, “Have you done the crime”) with those of control or comparison questions. Control questions are asked concerning previous misconduct and these are aimed at making the subject show concern on truthfulness. For instance, a person that was telling the truth should have more reason to fear control questions than relevant ones.
- Stimulation Test: A rehearsal is made in order to show the effectiveness of the proposed instrument in identifying cheats just before the actual test.
Myth vs. Reality:
- Contrary to the material that most people come across through movies and television shows, polygraphs have not been understood to be accurate in their detection of lies for a long time now.
- Despite all these advancement, their validity has been questioned by psychologists and scientists. Ironically, there is very little concrete evidence that those claims are true.
- The title “lie detector” is quite misleading because polygraph relies on changes in the body to indicate deception; however such changes may be prompted by factors such as stress or anxiety.
Controversies and Limitations:
- It often ends in wrong judgements; false positives are identified as well as false negatives.
- While everybody may tactfully feel the pressure, innocent people will be stressed due to nervousness while professionals will stay relaxed as they lie.
- Some of the factors that could alter results include; Cultural variations, medicines, and diseases.
- Some of the countries’ legal systems allow polygraph evidence while most of the experts advise against it.
Legality of this test
The legal issues arising from administration of polygraph tests in the Republic of India. These exciting thoughts are scientifically questionable tests referred to as the’ lie detector’ tests have been a subject of discussion/ debate in both the legal framework as well as in the human rights frameworks.
Historical Underpinnings and Mechanics:
- Polygraph Tests: test physiological activity (like vascular, cardiovascular or skin conductance which is assumed to be different when a person is lying). An Italian researcher named Cesare Lombroso performed it for first time in the 19th century over suspects.
- Physiological Monitoring: To evaluate the above parameters, the physiological variables that require monitoring during the test include use of cardio-cuffs or sensitive electrodes.
- Response Analysis: As questions are asked, as answers are given, they are assigned numerical values associated with truth, lies, or vagueness.
Constitutional and Legal Provisions:
- Article 20 (3) of the Indian Constitution: This article also shields them against self-incrimination provision which in simple terms means that no accused shall be called to testify against himself or herself. In other words, compellability of an accused to submit to polygraph or Narco-analysis tests is considered as a violation of this constitutional protection hence the need for consent.
- Article 21 and Human Rights: Polygraph tests have been criticized for a possibility of violating two rights under Article 21: right to life and privacy. The concern here is that exposing a subject to mental pressure during these tests is a violation of his or her basic rights.
Limitations and Challenges:
- Scientific Reliability: Polygraph and Narco tests are not 100% percent accurate since they are not scientifically proven tests. However, their reliability continues to be a point of subjectivity hence cannot be used to affirm certain findings.
- Impact on Vulnerable Individuals: Such tests are particularly disadvantageous to the clients who may not have the necessary information about their rights or means to seek legal assistance. One of the concerns is possible abusive situations and other cases where the media will take advantage of the situation.
Legal and Constitutional Rulings:
- Selvi vs State of Karnataka & Anr (2010): Supreme Court stated that before the use of the polygraph tests, it has got to be reformative and compulsory, and the rights of the accused must be made clear.
- D. K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal (1997): The Court found that the forced administration of these tests coordinates with the Right to Life and Liberty and the Right to Privacy.
- Indian Evidence Act, 1871: Result of Polygraph test is not admissible in the Trial.
- National Human Rights Commission Guidelines (1999): The requirements laid down here set the parameters for consent and procedures that are acceptable in the use of the polygraph.
Ethical issues related to it
- Validity and Scientific Controversy: What most people may picture based on TV shows where a polygraph pen is shown spinning madly across a chart, is far removed from them being able to discern when and if a person is lying based on changes in physiology. Despite the fact that polygraph tests enjoy popularity among people, numerous studies conducted by psychologists show that there is little truth in them.
- Unique Physiological Reactions: Let me move further that unlike the possibility which movies let us suppose, there are no particular pulsations and other bodily signs identifiable with lies. This is because an honest person wills scares the time he or she is responding to the questions honestly while on the other hand a dishonest person will not fear at all.
- Validity Debate: This is because while the effectiveness of this equipment in testing the truthfulness or dishonesty of an individual is in huge debate among the scientific community. Such investigations reveal relationships between polygraph measures and some indexes independent of truth or deception; however, it is not very convincing.
- Ethical Concerns: False Positives and Negatives: Typically the polygraph gives two types of wrong results; it may declare an honest person as a liar, a phenomenon known as the false positive and the second type is a false negative which is a scenario where the machine fails to detect an actual liar. The level of stress can be high in innocent people because they get nervous whereas the smart lying individuals may not get stressed at all.
- Cultural and Individual Differences: Responses can depend on cultural beliefs, any pharmaceutical therapy, an individual’s health state and many other factors. For instance, differences in polygraph outcomes have been recorded along ethnical differences.
- Invasion of Privacy: Basically, the process involves tracking highly personal autonomic activity indices that people may perceive as an infringement of their privacy.
- Psychological Impact: The mere suggestion that deception during a polygraph test must be done is actually damaging to the well-being of an individual.
- Ethnic Differences: Ethnic differences are also reported in polygraph outcomes as explained previous to this part of writing. For example, Bedouin tribesmen from Negev desert were less reactant as compared to Israeli Jews in the polygraph tests.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Culture, education and financial level may have an impact on answers and distort the data.
| Polygraph Test (Lie Detector)
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Narco Analysis Test
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Methodology: In a polygraph test several physiological factors such as arterial pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and skin response are taken while a person is being interrogated. Their expectation is that such autonomic responses would be otherwise if only the person under investigation was involved in an act of lying.
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Methodology: When adorning the Narco analysis test, the interrogated person is administered with a drug called Sodium Pentothal which is referred to as the ‘truth serum’. This puts one in a state of mind, in a hypnotic condition, which diminishes imagination as a creative force. The thinking is that in this state of calm the people are likely to give back truthful information.
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Numerical Evaluation: Every physiological response is given a number, which will tell if the person is telling the truth, if they are lying or if they are unsure.
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Historical Context: Several methods have been employed from time to time to prosecute offenders and investigate cases and Narco analysis has a rather interesting history whereby it was used during the World War-II.
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Historical Roots: It is argued that application of a technique of recording fluctuations in blood pressure during interrogation has its historical roots in the nineteenth century.
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Drug as a Catalyst: This sort of strips one’s consciousness and may make suppressed memories or information come to the surface.
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Scientific Validity: While polygraph is a tool used frequently in Hollywood movies, there is little solid scientific research to support effectiveness of such tests. Patients still find them controversial in the medical world.
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Controversies: In their efficiency, they remain still questionable with regard to scientific evidence for their effectiveness, and they create ethical issues concerning the subjects’ consent and privacy.
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Brain Mapping
Techniques and Tools:
- Imaging: Neuroimaging used in brain mapping consist of MRI, CT scans, PET scans and fMRI scans. These snapshots actually show brain activity, in similar manner to how one would photograph the traffic flow on a busy street.
- Neurophysiology: EEG and TCD give feedbacks of brain waves and blood vessels active within few seconds repeatedly in real time.
- Beyond Images: In other words, brain mapping is more than just colourful images. It explores molecular biology, Opto-genetics, stem cell research, and Nanotechnology. Suppose one is to place signs on the neural roads barely visible to the naked eye.
Connectograms and Wiring Diagrams:
- Connectograms: Connectograms represent cortical areas surrounding a central nucleus. Each circle is actually representing neurological parameters such as thickness, curvature and many more. Figures linking these circles are white matter fibres –the neural roads that control the transfer of information.
- High-Resolution Maps: When we try to view a region at higher magnification, what we are rewarded with are Connectomes, or circuit diagrams. These maps disclose singular neural tracings which are as complex as the network of one thousand tiny rivers.