AFM 2025 Deception Detection and Polygraph Basics

A comprehensive set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering observable signs of deception, historical and modern methods of detecting deception, and key figures in the development of polygraph technology.

Autonomic Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions and physiological responses associated with stress and deception.

External Observable Signs and Symptoms of Lies/Deceptions

Visible behaviors that may indicate deception during questioning (e.g., stammering, swearing to God, alibi responses).

Non-Verbal Behavioral Assessment

Observation of a subject's behavioral responses in relation to verbal utterances to assess truthfulness or deception.

General Posture (Truthful)

Lean slightly forward with the body aligned when truthful.

General Posture (Deceptive)

Defensive position, lean back when deceptive.

Head and Face (Truthful)

Appropriate facial expression and head positioning.

Head and Face (Deceptive)

Inappropriate expression or head positioning.

Eyes (Truthful)

Maintains normal eye contact during questioning.

Eyes (Deceptive)

Breaks in eye contact indicating possible deception.

Arms and Hands (Truthful)

Arms crossed or touching chest while talking, appearing engaged.

Arms and Hands (Deceptive)

Arms crossed and pointing away when talking, indicating defensiveness.

Sense Arousal Gestures (Truthful)

No signs of stress-responsive behavior.

Sense Arousal Gestures (Deceptive)

Visible stress-related gestures or signs of arousal.

Feet and Legs (Truthful)

Open and settled feet and legs while seated.

Feet and Legs (Deceptive)

Crisscrossing of feet when sitting, indicating unease.

Red Hot Iron Ordeal

Ancient lie-detection test where the accused touches or carries a red-hot iron to prove guilt or innocence.

Ordeal by the Balance

A balance scale test; if lighter, the accused is acquitted.

Boiling Water Ordeal

The subject immerses a hand in boiling water; blisters or pain indicate guilt.

Ordeal by Rice Chewing

Trial involving chewing rice and spitting; abnormal signs suggest deception.

Ordeal of the Red Water

Fasting, then swallowing rice until it changes water color; emetic indicates innocence.

Combination of Drinks and Food Ordeal

Fasting, eating rice, then drinking dark liquid; vomiting indicates innocence.

Trial by Combat

A fight between accuser and accused; the loser is deemed guilty.

Trial by Torture

Enduring severe physical tests suggests innocence.

Drinking Ordeal

A priest administers a decoction; if innocent, no harm occurs.

Trial of the Eucharist

Religious rite; belief that divine intervention prevents harm if guilty.

Ordeal by Heat and Fire

Walking barefoot through fire as a test of truthfulness.

Ordeal of Boiling Oil or Water

Dipping hands into boiling liquid and picking up stones to test guilt.

Ordeal of Red-Hot Needle

Needle applied to lips; absence of blood suggests innocence.

Ordeal of the Tiger

Accused and accuser placed in a cage with a tiger to determine guilt.

Test of the Cross Ordeal

Standing with arms crossed as part of testing truthfulness.

Donkey’s Tail Ordeal

A donkey is observed in a room to judge guilt or innocence.

Burma (Ordeal Practice)

Accuser and accused each given identical candles; lit at the same time to determine guilt.

Borneo (Ordeal Practice)

Accuser and accused given shellfish on a plate with an irritating fluid poured.

Greece (Ordeal Practice)

A suspended axe was spun among suspects.

Nigeria (Ordeal Practice)

Priest greases a feather and pierces the tongue; innocence if passed.

Europe and Early US (17th Century)

Accused bound and cast into water; sinking means innocence, floating leads to punishment.

Hypnotism

Therapeutic state used as a precursor to deception testing; subjects are guided to focus and respond under suggestion.

Word Association Test

Stimulus words are given; the subject responds with the first word that comes to mind.

Truth Serum Method

Administration of a drug (e.g., Byosine Hydrobromide) to induce delirium and elicit truthful answers.

Narco-Analysis / Narco-Synthesis

Drugs (e.g., Sodium Amythal) administered to induce a trance-like state to obtain truth.

Intoxication

Using alcohol as a stimulus to obtain truthful responses.

5W’s and 1H Technique

Police questioning method focusing on Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How to drive information.

3I’s of Investigation

Information Gathering, Investigation, and Instrumentation as core goals.

Dr. Hans Gross

Known as the Father of Criminalistics; foundational contributor to polygraph development and truth-seeking in investigations.

Polygraph

A device that records physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, respiration, galvanic skin response) to questions to detect deception.

Psychological Stress Evaluator

Instrument that detects lying by measuring stress in a subject’s voice via recorded analysis.