Forensic expert wants ‘Sach Ka Saamna’ banned

A forensic expert has demanded a ban on “Sach Ka Saamna”, a popular reality show in Hindi on Star Plus television channel, for using the unscientific technique of polygraph or the lie detector test.

Speaking to Express, Dr P Chandra Sekharan, former Director, Forensic Sciences Department, Tamil Nadu government and principal scientific investigator in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, said: “The dirty little secret behind the lie detector is that the ‘test’ depends on trickery, not science. The lie detector recording pens don’t do a special dance when a person lies. It is no more scientific than astrology or tarot cards.” A Padma Bhushan awardee in the field of Forensic Science, Chandra Sekharan, said people must fully understand that it was the man behind the machine who ‘pretends to detect lies’ and not the machine.

The lie detector is an instrument capable of continuously recording blood pressure, pulse, respiration and electro-dermal response. The device measures only the body’s reaction to two different types of questions known as relevant and control questions.

In order for a lie detector to work, Prof Sekharan clarified, the examiner must establish a base line for a lie. This is known as a control question.

The polygraphist must trick the examinee into consciously lying to him. The lie detector machine is now given a respectable name “polygraph,” he pointed out.

Prof Chandra Sekharan explained: “The lie detector technician will ask a question he will assume no one can answer honestly and whatever response is generated from asking this question will be assumed to be a lie.” This assumption forms the basis of the lie detector examination and the machine works by being able to detect the ‘fight or flight’ response of the human body.

The ability of the man operating the machine to manipulate this is ridiculously easy, by sensitising the examinee prior to the test, i.e. by demeaning, making accusatory statements, yelling, and / or making disbelieving gestures in front of the examinee, prior to the administration of the machine.” Chandra Sekharan asserted that his five-decade experience and proven published scientific research showed that anyone could be taught to beat or win this type of lie detector exam in a few minutes.

There are other controversies chasing the show.

While the forensic expert wants the show off the air for its use of an unscientific technique, others are shocked at the admission of personal misconduct by celebrities on television that could ‘encourage others’ to indulge in similar activities.

This issue was echoed in the Rajya Sabha with Samajwadi Party member Kamal Akhtar accusing the producers of the reality show of obscenity, saying the deeply-personal questions asked on the show were against the Indian culture.