From ancient times to modern computer polygraphs
The desire to distinguish truth from lies is as old as human civilization itself. Ancient peoples developed various methods to determine whether a person was being truthful, many of which were based on observing physiological reactions — the same principle that underlies the modern polygraph.
One of the earliest known lie detection methods originated in ancient China. The suspected liar was asked to fill their mouth with dry rice. After answering questions, they were told to spit out the rice. If the rice remained dry, the person was considered to be lying — the logic being that fear and deception cause the mouth to dry out due to reduced saliva production.
In ancient India, a similar method was used with donkey tails. Suspects were told to pull a donkey's tail in a dark room — the "magic" donkey was supposed to bray if touched by a liar. In reality, the donkey's tail was coated with soot; an innocent person would pull it without hesitation, while a guilty person would avoid touching it, emerging with clean hands.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, "trials by ordeal" were common — suspects were subjected to physical tests such as holding hot iron or plunging their hand into boiling water. While these methods were cruel and unreliable, they were based on the same underlying observation: a guilty person behaves differently from an innocent one under stress.
Italian criminologist Cesare Lombroso was one of the first to apply a scientific approach to lie detection. He used a hydrosphygmograph — a device that measured changes in blood pressure and pulse — during interrogations of criminal suspects. His work laid the foundation for instrumental lie detection.
American psychologist William Moulton Marston developed a systolic blood pressure test for detecting deception. He demonstrated that blood pressure changes could reliably indicate when a person was being untruthful. Interestingly, Marston is also known as the creator of the comic book character Wonder Woman, whose Lasso of Truth was inspired by his polygraph work.
Medical student and police officer John Larson built the first instrument that could simultaneously record multiple physiological parameters — breathing, blood pressure, and pulse — during questioning. This device is considered the first true polygraph in the modern sense.
Leonarde Keeler, a student of Larson, significantly improved the polygraph design. He added a galvanic skin response (GSR) channel and created a more portable, practical device. Keeler also established the first polygraph school and standardized testing procedures. He is often referred to as the "father of the polygraph."
Today's polygraphs are sophisticated computer systems that record and analyze data digitally. Key advances include:
Modern polygraph testing achieves accuracy rates of up to 95%. Polygraphs are used worldwide by law enforcement agencies, intelligence services, government organizations, and private companies. In Ukraine, polygraph testing is actively used in both the public and private sectors for employee screening, internal investigations, and resolving personal matters.
The Association of Polygraph Examiners "Polygraph VIDSICH" uses the latest computer polygraph systems and internationally recognized methodologies to ensure the highest accuracy and reliability of results.
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