Abstract
This article reviews evidence that the breathing pattern during the concealed information test (CIT) in the forensic research field consists of two different components. The first component is characterized by overall facilitation of ventilation: significant increments of inspiratory flow rate (respiratory drive) compared with the baseline resting level. The second component is characterized by a phasic inhibition of breathing following critical questions during the CIT paradigm: a decrement of respiratory flow rate and phasic prolongation of the post-exhalation pause time. From findings obtained in our previous studies on ventilation and gas exchange during stress and emotion, we suggest that the former tonic facilitation of breathing is similar with the breathing patterns observed during psychological stress, which reflects activation of the inspiratory drive in the respiratory center. Based on previous findings concerning the breathing patterns of subjects under attention, we also suggest that the phasic inhibition of breathing following critical questions could be caused by focusing attention on the CIT question, which reflects switching of control from respiratory center to the upper center.
