Mr. Herndon. During the actual polygraph examination, when that question was asked, Mr. Ruby failed to respond either yes or no.
Mr. Specter. Is there any portion of the overall examination which precedes the time when the machine is activated and the needles are operating, so to speak?
Mr. Herndon. Yes. During the pretest interview, the actual questions are carefully discussed with the examinee, in this case Mr. Ruby, so that he fully understands the intent and the meaning of the questions.
Mr. Specter. And is that a normal part of a polygraph examination?
Mr. Herndon. That is a standard procedure in a polygraph interrogation technique.
Mr. Specter. And what is the purpose for that?
Mr. Herndon. The purpose of that primarily is to be sure that the examinee fully understands the question and that there are no problems of surprise or semantics. It also psychologically conditions the subject in that he commits himself prior to the test and will be conditioned to know that the question will be asked again and he will have to make a decision as to how he is going to answer it, and whether or not he is going to attempt to deceive.
Mr. Specter. And what answer did Mr. Ruby give to the question about whether his family had been harmed as a result of what he did during the course of the preliminary discussion session?
Mr. Herndon. To be sure; could we just check the transcript on that? I believe he did say yes, with regard to that question.
Mr. Specter. Certainly. Please do check the transcript, or your notes, either way which would be most expeditious. (Pause.) Have you now had an opportunity to check the transcript on that last answer, Mr. Herndon?