The Science of Truth Verification

Telling a lie can take more mental effort than telling the truth. A person may need to remember what really happened, create a different story, and make sure the details stay consistent. That extra mental work can affect how the brain and body respond.

Scientists have studied these responses for decades. During a carefully designed test, specialized instruments can measure changes in the body and behavior while a person answers questions. The goal is to identify patterns that may help distinguish truthful responses from deceptive ones.

Five Types of Signals Researchers Can Measure

Different testing methods look at different responses.

Does a physical reaction mean someone is lying?

Not by itself. Nervousness, excitement, stress, and other factors can affect the body too. No single response is a guaranteed sign of deception. Credibility assessment looks at patterns of responses under controlled testing conditions and considers how those responses relate to specific questions.

A Different Way to Measure

Traditional polygraphs measure several physical responses. But what if we could measure the body’s response to mental effort by looking at the eyes? That’s the idea behind the science that led to Converus technology.

Converus technology focuses on the eyes. When a person thinks, remembers, reads, and answers questions, the eyes make small movements and changes that can be measured. Some of these changes happen automatically, without the person consciously controlling them.

During a test, an optical camera tracks these eye behaviors while the person responds to a series of questions. The measurements are collected and analyzed by software to identify patterns associated with increased mental effort.

What Does the Technology Measure?

The eye tracker monitors several behaviors while a person completes a test.

One Scientific Foundation. Different Testing Environments.

Converus applies eye-tracking technology in both dedicated testing stations and mobile devices.

EyeDetect

EyeDetect uses a dedicated testing station with an infrared eye-tracking camera. Participants read and answer questions on a computer while their eye behavior is measured.

VerifEye

VerifEye applies eye-tracking technology through a standard smartphone camera. A mobile app guides the participant through the test while the phone measures eye behavior and records verbal answers.

What About EyeDetect+?

EyeDetect+ combines eye-tracking measurements with additional physiological measurements, including cardiovascular activity, breathing, and skin conductance. It brings the eye-based technology and additional polygraph-style measurements together in one automated testing system.

The Technology Is Only Part of the Test

Measuring eye behavior is one part of the process. The questions, test structure, and testing procedures also matter. Next, let’s look at how a Converus test is designed and administered.

A credibility assessment is more than a list of questions. A well-designed test starts with a clear purpose, uses carefully written questions, and follows a structured process. The questions give the technology something specific to measure, while the testing procedure helps ensure each person completes the test under consistent conditions.

Converus offers different testing protocols for different situations. Some tests examine general behaviors, such as workplace theft or drug use. Others focus on a specific incident, such as a missing item or an allegation of misconduct.

Two Common Reasons to Test

What Makes a Good Test Question?

Good questions are specific, understandable, and focused on actions a person can clearly remember.

Test topics should also be distinct from one another. Questions about opinions, intentions, emotions, or another person’s actions are generally not appropriate for these protocols.

What Happens During a Test?

The exact steps depend on the product and test protocol, but most follow the same general progression.

What Does the Result Mean?

After the test, the collected data is analyzed and a Converus Credibility Score is generated. The score indicates the system’s assessment of the participant’s responses in relation to the test topics. It is a tool for evaluating credibility—not a substitute for investigating evidence, considering context, or making a final decision.

Want to explore the different test formats, protocols, and available topics? Visit the Converus Testing Resources or browse examples on the Types of Tests page.

Putting the Pieces Together

The science, the technology, and the test design all work together. The next section looks at how Converus brings these pieces into practical testing solutions for different environments and needs.

Scientific research provides the foundation. Eye-tracking technology collects the measurements. Carefully designed tests give those measurements context. Converus brings these pieces together in automated systems that make credibility assessment faster, more consistent, and available in a variety of settings.

The technology is designed to support people who need to make important decisions. It provides another source of information that can be considered alongside interviews, background checks, investigative findings, and other screening tools.

Turning Science into a Practical Tool

Testing Beyond the Lab

Credibility assessment can be used in many environments. Converus systems are designed to bring testing closer to the organizations and people who need it.

Dedicated Testing Stations

EyeDetect and EyeDetect+ stations can be installed at provider offices or organizational facilities. Portable equipment also allows testing to be conducted at regional and remote locations.

Mobile Testing

VerifEye uses a compatible smartphone, allowing participants to complete a test without traveling to a dedicated testing station.

Service Provider Network

Organizations and individuals can work with authorized Converus service providers to arrange testing and receive support with the process.

Three Ways to Deliver the Technology

Each Converus product applies the science in a different testing format, with different measurement capabilities.

EyeDetect

A non-contact, computer-based credibility assessment using eye tracking.

Measures: Eye behavior and reading patterns

Format: Computer and infrared camera

Best known for: Fast, non-contact testing

Explore EyeDetect →

EyeDetect+

An automated polygraph combining eye tracking with additional physiological measurements.

Measures: Eye behavior and physiological activity

Format: Computer, eye tracker, and Physio Tracker sensors

Best known for: Automated polygraph testing

Explore EyeDetect+ →

VerifEye

A mobile credibility assessment that uses a standard smartphone camera.

Measures: Eye behavior and reading patterns

Format: Smartphone app and camera

Best known for: Flexible mobile testing

Explore VerifEye →

Successive Hurdles: Combining Different Measures

Some situations call for more than one way to evaluate credibility. Successive hurdles is a model that combines results from different testing methods on the same topic. Rather than relying on one type of measurement, it considers information from methods that examine different responses.

The statistical value of combining results depends on the accuracy of each method and the degree to which their measurements are independent. Successive hurdles is not a guarantee, and combined confidence should be calculated using appropriate assumptions.

Learn more about the successive-hurdles model →

Where Can These Tools Be Used?

The technology can be applied to many different questions and situations. From employment screening and law enforcement to internal investigations and personal matters, the next section looks at the different ways credibility assessment is used.

Questions about honesty and trust come up in almost every part of life. Employers want to know who they are hiring. Investigators need to understand what happened. Government agencies must evaluate potential risks. Financial institutions need to protect customers and assets. Even individuals sometimes need answers to difficult personal questions.

Credibility assessment can help address these questions. Converus technology is used in a wide range of settings, from employment screening and workplace investigations to public safety, government security, and personal applications. The test can be designed around the specific behavior or concern an organization needs to evaluate.

Where Can Credibility Assessment Be Used?

Here are just a few examples of the questions Converus technology can help organizations and individuals address.

One Technology. Many Different Questions.

The technology can be adapted to different applications through carefully designed test topics and protocols. A test for a job applicant is not the same as a test about a specific theft or security incident. The questions and procedures are selected to fit the purpose of the assessment.

Explore What Converus Can Do

Every organization has different questions and needs. Start with the resources below to learn more about available applications and testing options.

Better Information. More Informed Decisions.

Converus brings scientific research and practical technology together to help people evaluate credibility. Whatever the question, the goal is to provide another useful source of information when the answers matter.