NO SECRETS NOW

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6867, 23 March 1929, Page 15 (Supplement)

NO SECRETS NOW

MACHINE TELLS EMOTIONS TEST FOR CRIMINALS A box full of electric wires and batteries called a “psycho-galvanometer,” which registers the emotions, was demonstrated at King’s College, London, in mail week. First of all, Dr. F. A. P. Aveling, explained how, under emotional strain of any kind, the resistance of the body was lowered. This weakening could be measured and recorded in a graph form, or by the movement of a light, reports the “Daily Chronicle.” In response to the doctor’s appeal for a “subject,”, a pretty girl undergraduate submitted to having her hands manacled by wires connecting with the galvanometer. The lights were turned out. Immediately a tiny chink of light from the galvanometer appeared on a wooden rafter overhead. Dr. Aveling suddenly clapped his hands, and the start given by the girl was instantly recorded in a flickering of this light. “One thing we like to do is to set light to young ladies’ hair,” said the demonstratoi', suddenly striking a match. Roars of laughter from the audience' greeted the manner in which the light danced from one end to another of the screen recording the emotions of panic aroused when the undergraduate realised that her perfectly wavec[ hair was in danger. In America this instrument has been used for the detection of crime. The criminal has been connected with the apparatus while detectives have watched emotional responses to $ number of questions. It is alleged that by this meaiinsS criminals have betrayed their guilt.