PETALING JAYA: Polygraph tests will help the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) speed up its probes and sharpen its focus on key case elements, say anti-graft experts.
Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Satar, founder of the Malaysian chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, said these tests also allow investigators to streamline their processes, reducing the time spent piecing information together.
“Polygraph tests enable investigators to quickly narrow their focus, enhancing the overall efficiency of the investigation,” he said.
He said this approach was particularly effective in pinpointing areas that require further scrutiny.
Akhbar emphasised the rigorous nature of polygraph testing, describing it as a highly specific process that involves monitoring the subject’s heart rate, breathing patterns and skin conductance.
Skin conductance is a measure of the skin’s ability to conduct electricity, which varies with its moisture level.
In the context of polygraph testing, skin conductance is used as a physiological indicator of emotional arousal or stress.
“It must be conducted in a sound-proof room with the subject seated on a special chair, (the examiner) asking the right questions, using American Polygraph Association approved techniques, and only the examiner and the subject present to ensure accurate readings,” he added.
Akhbar said the qualified examiner should remain neutral and uninvolved in the case under investigation to ensure impartiality.
With polygraphs widely in use in countries like Singapore, the United States and Japan for decades, he said Malaysia was now ready to use the tests extensively given the sufficient number of qualified experts available.
“It’s timely that we’re adopting this approach,” said Akhbar, who is also president of the Malaysia Integrity and Governance Society.
He said polygraphs can serve as a tool for the innocent to prove their innocence, particularly in corruption cases.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, a member of the Malaysia Integrity Institute, said the MACC’s adoption of advanced technology was a positive development with the potential to significantly improve its effectiveness in fighting corruption.
“It is essential to know that technology alone cannot be a magical solution; officers must be equipped with the skills and necessary knowledge to effectively utilise advanced tools and interpret them correctly,” he said.
Moving forward, investigations should expand beyond polygraph tests, said criminologist and psychologist Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat.
She emphasised the need for diverse methods to tackle increasingly sophisticated criminal behaviour.
As criminals adapt to advancing technology, agencies like the MACC must update their strategies.
Geshina, however, said that relying solely on polygraphs can lead to inaccuracies.
“Lying, deception, and omission of the truth don’t occur in a vacuum.
“Criminals are shaped by psychosocial, criminogenic, economic, and religious factors,” she added.
She also highlighted the limitations of polygraph tests, including their inability to distinguish whether bodily changes are due to lying or other factors.
“If the person controls their emotions and physiological responses, like respiration and pulse, false results can occur, leading to manipulation.
“Pathological liars, psychopaths, sociopaths, and individuals with certain traits can pass the polygraph without issues,” she said.
Geshina, therefore, urged agencies to explore less costly and more robust forensic tools as technology evolves.
