Human Lie Detection versus EyeDetect™
By Russ Warner, VP Marketing –
Examining body language, facial expressions and speech is a very imperfect method for determining is someone is telling a lie. New lie detection technology is now able to accurately detect deception by a detailed analysis of eye behavior.
Lie detection is a tricky business and catching someone in a lie can be even more so. I used to enjoy watching the TV series “Lie to Me” because the lie detection expert was so perfectly attuned to liars and their behaviors.
As dramatized on that program, there can be distinct methods to identify a liar based on facial expressions, body language and speech. However, these behaviors and ticks are not always perfect and, unfortunately, they can also indicate other things.
Typically, cues vary from person to person according to “how much is at stake for the liar” (Sagan 2014). Cues are best looked at in the aggregate.
Julia Shaw, a forensic psychology Ph.D., recommends a comprehensive approach “that examines the content, body language and facial expressions of potential liars” (Sagan 2014).
Body Language
Shaw says that if you’re reading body language to spot a liar, look for unnatural movements. For example, arms and legs might be more stiff or rigid, or they might move more than usual. Additionally, eyes will flicker, blink more than usual, and lips will press together more often.
Speech Patterns
Another indicator of lies can be speech patterns. Liars may speak more slowly, repeat themselves, say “um” or “uh” more than they usually do, etc. Additionally, they will probably offer details that are not consistent and use negative words to describe emotions.
Facial Expressions
Shaw says facial expressions can be more telling than body language because so much emotion and thought is conveyed through the face. Liars will actually shift facial expressions quickly, going from fake to masked to neutral emotions. Interestingly, when an emotion is fake, it will usually only show on the upper or the lower part of their face. The eyes are the hardest to fake, because eyes show what a person truly feels.
A New Method of Lie Detection
Using a high-precision optical scanner, EyeDetect™ analyzes the behavior of the eyes while a person answers a serious of true or false questions. Changes in eye behavior, pupil dilation, excess blinking, vision fixation, and other activities differ for the deceptive than for the innocent person.
The eyes, and specifically the pupil, are difficult to control or fake. EyeDetect has been shown to be very accurate at predicting deception and because it’s based on technology, it isn’t persuaded by personal biases and it can’t be bribed. And more importantly, it’s virtually impossible for a lie detection expert to observe the minute changes that a high precision optical scanner can detect.
