THE UTILITY OF POLYSOMNOGRAPHY(PSG) MACHINE AS A RELIABLE LIE DETECTOR IN AN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED MOCK THEFT SITUATION

Abstract

Objective- To compare the various parameters in polysomnographic recordings of individuals who had indulged in experimentally induced theft situation with subjects who had not indulged in an experimentally induced theft situation. Material and methods-The present study was conducted in the department of psychiatry, Sarojini Naidu Medical College (S.N.M.C.) Agra, between the periods, March 2010 and September 2011. The sample consisted of 102 medical students who had volunteered to participate in the study.  These volunteers were selected on the following criteria's. Result- The present study finding shows statistically  significant difference on EEG amplitude, there are C3-A2 lead EEG amplitude were significant in group A and group C (control versus stolen, at baseline p-value = 0.0001; after 10th minute p-value = 0.0007; and after 20th minute p-value = 0.0129); EEG amplitude in O1-A2 lead were significant in control and stolen group ( at baseline p-value = 0.0019 and after 10th minute p-value = 0.0505); EEG amplitude in O2-A1 lead were found significant in control versus stolen group ( at baseline p-value = 0.0002, after 10th minute p-value = 0.0347, and 20th minute p-value = 0.0262). Conclusion- The changes observed in the amplitude of C3-A2 and O2-A1 leads along with C4-A1 (mv), O1-A2 (mv) leads could better identify the subjects who had stolen money, due to higher apprehension created for being caught during their PSG recordings while other leads which did not show significant changes in the PSG recordings could be considered as being not affected during deception. Keyword-    Polysomnography, Amplitude, Lie Detection