How GREAT Is The Role Of The Polygraph Test To DISentangle The Sambo Ferdy Case?

The public prosecutor investigated Putri Candrawathi's statement regarding her relationship with the victim of the late Brigadier Nofriansyah Yosua Hutabarat. This relates to the statement of the defendant Richardgan in the previous trial and the results of the polygraph test during the investigation.

Richard, at the trial last November 30, said that as an aide and driver for Putri Candrawati, Yosua's relationship with her boss was indeed close. Putri prefers to travel with Joshua even though he and Matthew, another Ferdy Sambo aide who is on guard at Saguling's residence.

"It's a routine activity for both of me even though Matthew and I are in Saguling," Richard told the judge.

So in their daily routine activities they only go alone without anyone else accompanying them? Even though you and Brother Matthew are there? The judge reiterated. "Yes, be ready, Your Honor," replied Richard.

However, Putri at the trial last December 12, denied that her close relationship with Yosua was considered an affair.

"Yosua is my driver, who I consider our son," replied Putri.

"No romantic relationship?" asked the prosecutor. "Nothing," said Putri.

The prosecutor then compared it with the results of the Putri polygraph test regarding the question of infidelity which showed an answer with indications of lies.

"Here are indications of lying, what about that?" asked the prosecutor which Putri later denied, "I don't know that."

An expert polygraph witness from the National Police, Aji Febrianto, said that Putri was indicated to have lied when answering a number of questions in the polygraph test.

"Putri Candrawathi minus 25, Ferdy Sambo minus 8. Another defendant, Strong Ma'ruf twice with different results, first plus 9 and second minus 13. Minutes means being indicated as a lie," Aji said in a trial on December 14, 2022.

Meanwhile, the defendant Ricky Rizal also underwent two tests with the same results indicated to be honest. Likewise Richard aired.

The polygraph, according to Aji, is an inspection activity using a polygraph tool to determine whether a person is identified as lying or honest. According to a journal published by the American Polygraph Association, this test has 93 percent accuracy.

However, according to Philip Houston in the book Spy The Lie, a polygraph machine does not detect lies. This machine detects physiological changes that occur in a person's body when responding to stimuli in the form of questions raised by a polygraph examiner.

The pena-pena on top of a rolled piece of polygraph paper recorded four physiological responses to stimulus. There are two trase related to breathing, one trace related to cardiovascular activity, and one trace related to the response of a galvanist skin that records changes in skin moisture.

The polygraph checker will provide careful note-listing of the edges on the graphs to show the points where it starts and finish asking questions and points when the person examined gives a jabawan yes or not," Houston said.

When concluding the graph examination, the examiner studied the graphs to analyze the physiological reaction rates of the person examined when responding to each question.

"Based on well-defined rules for graphic analysis, if physiological indicators in answering a question meet the criteria for showing lies, the examiner will mark the question as a problematic area demanding further attention," Houston added.

This means that the test polygraph can indeed be evidence of trial when used as expert testimony. However, according to the former chairman of the Indonesian Forensic Psychologist Association, Yusti Probowati Rahayu, What becomes evidence is information on the analysis of the test results of the polygraph, and not the results of the test of the polygraph itself.

This is because many factors can affect the results of the graph test. If examined in a nervous condition, stressed, sad, panicked tired, or sick, the test results may also show the same symptoms as indications of lies. On the other hand, if the examinee is very well trained, this lie test tool could display a pattern that does not indicate that the person is lying.

Moreover, Putri in her response at the trial admitted that she was still in a shock state while undergoing a polygraph examination. The examination was carried out in a soundproof closed room and carried out by two men. Without any psychological assistance.

As victims of sexual violence, of course, it is not easy to forget what he experienced. Yosua, according to Putri's confession at the previous trial, had abused her, threatened, and abused her while in Magelang.

"I was asked to explain the incident from August 2-8. On the 7th I stopped. I told the two people who asked, I couldn't because I didn't want to tell about the incident of the violence, but one of the examiners said that you had to tell me because you were already here," said Putri on October 14, 2022.

I cried because there were only two men in the room, without being accompanied by a psychologist. I can only cry. I continued (the examination) for fear of being considered uncooperative," Putri added.

Criminal law expert from Trisakti University Abdul Fickar Hadjar also ensured that the polygraph test was only complementary and did not include evidence as stated in Article 184 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

"If the results are stated in the form of a letter, it will be proof of the letter, but its contents are entirely the judge's authority to consider or not to consider," Fickar added to VOI, Thursday (15/12).