Throughout its chapters, José A. Landa dismantles the popular myth of the “lie detector” and guides readers toward a rigorous understanding of the polygraph as a system for acquiring and analyzing physiological responses associated with fear of detection, cognitive load, and autonomic nervous system activation. The book provides an in-depth examination of the stimulus-response pathway, respiratory, cardiovascular, and electrodermal channels, the examiner’s role, the pre-test phase, question formulation, instrument operation, data analysis, scoring methodologies, computerized algorithms, and professional report writing.

Combining neurophysiological foundations, ethical principles, professional standards, and real-world applications, the work explores the use of polygraph testing in criminal investigations, critical personnel screening, corporate counterintelligence, PCSOT programs, civil disputes, infidelity investigations, false allegations, private security, and risk management. Its practical orientation makes it an essential reference guide for professionals who must apply polygraph methodologies with scientific rigor, technical precision, and legal responsibility.

More than an introductory text, this manual serves as a behind-the-scenes exploration of modern forensic psychophysiology. It explains not only what the polygraph measures, but also how a professional examination should be designed, conducted, interpreted, and defended. The result is an indispensable resource for understanding empirical truth through the convergence of biology, technology, psychology, ethics, and forensic methodology.