Deception (Interviews) - Top Techniques

Detecting Deception in Interviews and Interrogations

Effective interviewing and interrogation are essential skills for professionals in law enforcement, security, and investigative fields. Deception detection relies on both verbal and non-verbal cues, as well as the psychological dynamics of the interaction. This article explores key techniques for optimising the interview context and identifying deceptive behaviour.

Creating the Optimal Interview Context

1. Get a Clear View

A proper setup allows the interviewer to observe the interviewee’s full body language. Position yourself where you can see their hands, face, and posture unobstructed (Vrij, 2008). Barriers such as tables or objects between you and the subject may obscure crucial non-verbal indicators.

2. Expect Some Pacifying Behaviour

Pacifying gestures—such as rubbing hands, touching the face, or playing with objects—are common stress responses (Ekman, 2009). These do not necessarily indicate deception but can signal discomfort.

3. Expect Initial Nervousness

Most individuals will exhibit some nervous behaviour at the start of an interview, even when truthful. It is essential to differentiate between general anxiety and deception-related stress (Hartley & Karinch, 2013).

4. Get Them to Relax

Encouraging relaxation helps establish a behavioural baseline. Use a conversational tone and non-threatening body language (Navarro & Karlins, 2008). A relaxed interviewee’s behaviour is more natural, making deviations more noticeable.

5. Establish a Baseline

Observing a person’s normal speech patterns, gestures, and responses when discussing neutral topics helps in detecting later deviations (Vrij, 2008). Sudden changes in tone, pace, or body language may indicate deception.

Detecting Deceptive Behaviour

6. Look for an Increase in Pacifiers/Adaptors

An increase in self-soothing behaviours following a key question may indicate heightened stress (Ekman, 2009). For example, a subject who suddenly starts rubbing their neck more frequently may be experiencing discomfort with their own response.

7. Ask – Pause – Observe

After posing a critical question, allow a pause before the subject responds. This technique gives time to observe initial, unconscious reactions before a rehearsed answer is delivered (Hartley & Karinch, 2013).

8. Keep Them Focused

Deceptive individuals may attempt to shift the conversation away from key topics. Keep them engaged by repeating questions, seeking clarification, and steering them back to relevant points (Vrij, 2008).

9. Chatter Is Not Truth

A deceptive person may provide excessive, irrelevant detail to obscure facts (Navarro & Karlins, 2008). While detailed responses can indicate truthfulness, excessive verbosity without clear answers may be a red flag.

10. Look for Distancing Behaviours After Key Questions

After a crucial question, signs such as leaning away, tightening the jaw, or pressing the lips together may indicate discomfort with the answer given (Ekman, 2009). Distancing language, such as avoiding pronouns (e.g., “That woman did it” instead of “I saw her do it”), can also suggest deception.

11. Observe Synchrony

Genuine responses typically exhibit synchrony between words and gestures. If an individual shakes their head while saying “yes” or shows a delayed smile after stating they are happy, this incongruence may indicate deception (Vrij, 2008).

12. Retelling in Non-Chronological Order

Asking the subject to recount events out of order places cognitive strain on deceptive individuals. Truthful accounts tend to remain consistent, while deceptive narratives are more prone to inconsistencies when recalled non-sequentially (Hartley & Karinch, 2013).

Conclusion

Detecting deception requires a combination of keen observation, strategic questioning, and an understanding of psychological and physiological cues. By carefully structuring interviews and paying close attention to verbal and non-verbal indicators, professionals can improve their ability to discern truth from deception.

References

Ekman, P. (2009). Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage. W.W. Norton & Company.

Hartley, G., & Karinch, M. (2013). The Art of the Interview: Lessons from a Master of the Craft. Career Press.

Navarro, J., & Karlins, M. (2008). What Every Body is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent’s Guide to Speed-Reading People. HarperCollins.

Vrij, A. (2008). Detecting Lies and Deceit: Pitfalls and Opportunities. Wiley.