Mr. Herndon.

to my original statement that the polygraph technique is not considered precise enough to make absolute statements of deception or nondeception, so, therefore, any time I make any observation it would be using probably a qualified word such as "appeared to indicate deception" or "suggestive of deception," keeping in mind that, of course, there are many emotional responses that I am not in a position to evaluate, such as fear of being falsely accused, dislike for the people in the room, other factors which may tend to negate positive statements that here in fact this thing is meaning he is not lying.

Mr. Specter.

On that particular question, were there any indicators at all that he was deceiving in his answer to question No. 6, to wit: "Did you assist Oswald in the assassination?"

Mr. Herndon.

Other than a slight impact in the GSR, there was no noticeable change in his physiological responses to that particular question.

Mr. Specter.

And what was the slight impact that you referred to GSR, meaning galvanic skin response?

Mr. Herndon.

The impact here not being significant enough to make any specific evaluation.

Mr. Specter.

Then were there any other relevant questions in the first series?

Mr. Herndon.

There were no other relevant questions in the first series.

Mr. Specter.

Was there anything else in the first series which is significant enough to comment on by way of analysis of the overall examination?

Mr. Herndon.

No other than to say that the total chart minutes for series 1 was 2 minutes 25 seconds in duration of time.

Mr. Specter.

Is there any fixed limitation on how long a series can run?

Mr. Herndon.

Yes, it is generally conceded that a person should not be run on the polygraph beyond perhaps 4 minutes, inasmuch as after that time the pressure on the arm cuff can become discomforting and irritating to the examinee.
In view of the fact that there was a question here of possible effect on Ruby's health, I attempted to maintain all my questioning within an approximate 3-minute period to insure no damaging effect on his physical condition.

Mr. Specter.

Is there any overall limitation on the amount of time that a person can appropriately take a polygraph examination?

Mr. Herndon.

Yes, there is a limitation. Certainly if a person is interviewed with polygraph at great length, in due time he is bound to become desensitized to the technique. In other words, the pressure on his arm and the technique itself becomes less valid as the increase in time proceeds.

Mr. Specter.

Did Mr. Ruby ever become desensitized to the technique?

Mr. Herndon.

I believe in the last series of the first session, which I believe is series 4, Mr. Ruby showed some indications of becoming fatigued and played some tiredness in the charts. Also, I might add in the latter phase of the examination, in the latter series, there was some indication that he approaching this desensitization that I have mentioned before.

Mr. Specter.

Have you now given us all the relevant findings from series of 1?

Mr. Herndon.

I think so. There might be one other thing I will just mention here, and that is in question 5 with regard to, "Do you use the middle name Leon" there were some noticeable Changes in the physiological tracings. However, these were caused by his laughter and talking in which he later explained that he sometimes used the name, but other times he doesn't, and that the
name Leon is sentimental to him. That is the only other noticeable variance in his normal tracing that I wish to comment on.

Mr. Specter.

Let us then proceed now to series 2 and mark that Herndon Deposition Exhibit No. 2, if we may, please.

(The document referred to was marked Herndon Deposition Exhibit No. 2 for identification.)

Mr. Specter.

Now, referring to that chart, what significant findings were on that chart?

Mr. Herndon.

The only significant change physiologically during series No. 2 was in Mr. Ruby’s response to the question, “have you ever been known by another name?", as portrayed by an increase in his blood pressure. He answered this question with both a yes and a no, and after the series was completed there was some discussion with regard to the question. He mentioned that he was uncertain how to answer the question because he had originally