Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

training duration, and inter-training intervals). No seizures have been reported
with single-pulse TMS or repetitive TMS (rTMS, that is, repeated, rhythmic
TMS) delivered at a slow frequency (≤ 1 Hz, that is, once per second). Although
there is a growing understanding of the rTMS parameter combinations that result
in a spreading, excitatory neural response signaling an impending seizure, this
risk may limit loosely supervised use of rTMS.
TMS will most likely be a valuable technique to the neuroscience community
because it provides the capacity to excite or inhibit focal cortical areas, thereby
elucidating causal relationships between neural structures and behavior. However,
its effectiveness in detecting or inhibiting deceptive responses or thoughts has not
been sufficiently explored. Additional studies and an established record of proper
safety precautions are needed before TMS is ready for deployment.
Discussion
The review presented above clearly shows that every mechanical device that
has been used to detect deception has both positive and negative aspects. VSAs,
thermal imaging, and facial expression analysis are the only techniques that allow
rapid, real-time analysis that is highly automated. However, the performance of
VSAs in detecting deception has not been shown to exceed that of the polygraph;
it does not even approach the accuracy of the polygraph used in conjunction with
the GKT/CIT. The performance of thermal imaging has been demonstrated in only
one peer-reviewed study. Systems for automatic analysis of facial expressions
have not yet been tested in a deception detection experiment.
In terms of the invasiveness of the techniques, RVSM, facial expression
analysis, eye blinks, saccades, and fixations, voice stress analysis, and TMS are
non-invasive; the polygraph, EGG, EEG, MEG, fMRI, and fNIRS are invasive
because they require physical contact; and truth serums/narcoanalysis and PET
are the most invasive. In terms of portability, RVSM, facial expression analysis,
eye blinks, saccades, and fixations, VSAs, truth serums/narcoanalysis, and TMS
are the most portable; the polygraph, EGG, thermal imaging, EEG, and fNIRS are
portable, but require more equipment; MEG, PET, and fMRI are not portable. To
some extent, portability is highly correlated with cost because of the equipment
required. However, the cost of technical expertise (such as that associated with
the highly portable TMS) must also be considered.
Some of these mechanisms have proven useful for diagnostic purposes (e.g.,
EGG, EEG, MEG, PET, fNIRS, and fMRI) or treatment purposes (e.g., truth
serums/narcoanalysis and TMS) in a clinical setting. However, these techniques
are not devoid of potential physical side effects (e.g., TMS headaches). It should
be noted that there may be accompanying psychological side effects as a result
of undergoing a medical procedure (such as in individuals with “white coat
syndrome”), or receiving medical treatment via truth serums/narcoanalysis (such
as in individuals who recover unpleasant, repressed memories). The costs and
benefits of using truth serums/narcoanalysis must especially be weighed given
that there is currently no drug that produces “truth.” In conjunction with these
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