Nonverbal Detection of Deception in Forensic Contexts

This chapter focuses on different types of lies that eye witnesses can use before the jury, while examining the importance of identifying nonverbal detection of deception in forensic contexts. Lies can occur in many different forms, from outright fabrication, denial, distortion, evasion, and concealment, to even telling the truth falsely. Similar to this type of lie is the concealment lie that involves concealing the truth in situations where it is implicit or explicit that the person should not conceal it. If the situation involves assessing the true feelings of a witness, then the lie catcher should try to observe the presence or absence of as many of these reliable clues to the emotion as possible. Low levels of fear may help liars get away with their deceptions by maintaining their alertness. In its moderate and high levels, fear can produce behavioral signs that can be noticed by the skilled lie catcher.