Detecting Deception
Detecting Deception
Erik Skrudland
Columbia Southern University
Abstract
Since the day you first learned to lie as a child, your parents have probably demonstrated extraordinary talent at knowing when you are telling the truth…..and when you are lying. Did you ever wonder how they knew? Chances are it was collection of things called “tells” that you were unaware of that gave you away. When most people lie, their body goes through a serious of physiological reactions that are subconscious and therefore uncontrollable. While most people cannot make even a better than chance guess at telling when a person is lying, by analyzing things like “micro-expressions”, body language, speech patterns and writing techniques, experts can increase the probability of determining deception to levels as high as 90%. The recent inclusion of software speech and facial recognition software has greatly increased the success of these efforts and every day, technological and psychological advances increase the chances of success for law enforcement personnel worldwide. But can anyone do this?
Detecting Deception
Wouldn’t it be great if you could tell when someone was lying to you just by observing them? And the harder they tried to conceal the truth, the easier it was for you to tell they were lying. Some people say they can do just that. It’s not a super-power they claim to have; but simply the ability to read the “tells” that almost everyone displays when they are not saying what they believe is the truth. From “micro-expressions” to body language to verbal slips; your body is almost always giving away all your secrets. But is it possible for anyone to tell if a person is lying just by watching them and if so, how?
When a person is suspected of a crime, the first thing the police usually do is bring them in for questioning, which is really just a polite way of saying “interrogation”. Interrogations are a lot better now than they used to be; sharp knives,
Erik Skrudland
Columbia Southern University
Abstract
Since the day you first learned to lie as a child, your parents have probably demonstrated extraordinary talent at knowing when you are telling the truth…..and when you are lying. Did you ever wonder how they knew? Chances are it was collection of things called “tells” that you were unaware of that gave you away. When most people lie, their body goes through a serious of physiological reactions that are subconscious and therefore uncontrollable. While most people cannot make even a better than chance guess at telling when a person is lying, by analyzing things like “micro-expressions”, body language, speech patterns and writing techniques, experts can increase the probability of determining deception to levels as high as 90%. The recent inclusion of software speech and facial recognition software has greatly increased the success of these efforts and every day, technological and psychological advances increase the chances of success for law enforcement personnel worldwide. But can anyone do this?
Detecting Deception
Wouldn’t it be great if you could tell when someone was lying to you just by observing them? And the harder they tried to conceal the truth, the easier it was for you to tell they were lying. Some people say they can do just that. It’s not a super-power they claim to have; but simply the ability to read the “tells” that almost everyone displays when they are not saying what they believe is the truth. From “micro-expressions” to body language to verbal slips; your body is almost always giving away all your secrets. But is it possible for anyone to tell if a person is lying just by watching them and if so, how?
When a person is suspected of a crime, the first thing the police usually do is bring them in for questioning, which is really just a polite way of saying “interrogation”. Interrogations are a lot better now than they used to be; sharp knives,
References: Adams, S., Napier, M. (1998, October), Magic Words to Obtain Confessions, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Davidson, J., (1998, July), Office Tics – Understanding Body Language, Men’s Fitness, Ekman, P., O’Sullivan, M., (1991, September), Who Can Catch A Liar, American Psychologist, Navarro, J., Schaffer, J., (2001, July), Detecting Deception, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin,