The History of Lie Detection and the Role Played in Judicial Law

The 20th century brought about the invention of the polygraph test, a machine that monitors for specific physiological signs of deception. Once people realized that with deception comes certain bodily signs, the stage was set for the invention of the polygraph. Once invented, it was and still is somewhat controversial. Yet in its very early form, it influenced American history by helping to bring about a momentous Supreme Court decision regarding the admissibility of scientific evidence in the courtroom.

The history of lie-detection

Throughout history, there have been attempts to distinguish truthfulness from falsehood. These attempts have ranged from completely ineffective to borderline torture. Many theories were based in religious texts. However, even in its most primitive form, each new invention or technique was based on the idea that there exists some normal physiological reaction within a person when interrogated, and additional reactions when the person is lying.

Even as early as 980 BCE, the Hindus knew how to detect liars. Written in one of the “Vedas”, the oldest most sacred books of the Hindus, there are instructions on how to detect poisoners. “A person who gives poison may be recognized. He does not answer questions, or they are evasive answers; he speaks nonsense, rubs the great toe along the ground, and shivers; his face is decolored; he rubs the roots of his hair with his fingers; and he tries by every means to leave the house” (Trovillo 1939)

Additionally, a Greek story is told, demonstrating the physiological responses of the body to various inner thoughts and desires. This story is of Antiochus, son of Seleucus I of Syria (also referred to as Nicator). Nicator had married a beautiful woman, Stratonice. Some...

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