Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

suggested by Inbau et al., Royal and Schutt, and Aubry. The only difference is
that the rapport is built not only on the basis of the positive interaction between
interrogator and suspect, but also on the fear, anxiety, or anger caused by the actual
or perceived bad cop. However, the analysis of the GC/BC technique provides a
window into the workings of rapport-building, and re-emphasizes its importance
in any successful interrogation.
Detecting Deception
The text describing the Reid Technique does not go beyond BSA in offering
suggestions on detecting deception. However, BSA is an integrated system of
analysis that can be incorporated at all stages of the interview/interrogation
encounter (see discussion above). Similarly, the Kinesic approach is based on
PKAP, which also can and should be integrated into the entire interrogation
proceeding (see discussion above).
Traditional lie detection has focused on verbal and nonverbal communication.
At various points, behaviors that were thought to indicate deceit have included
speech hesitation, speech errors, changes in pitch of voice, changes in speech rate,
frequency of pauses, pause durations, gaze, smiling, blinking, self-manipulations
(e.g., scratching), illustration with hands and arms, hand and finger movement
without the arms, leg and foot movements, head movements, trunk movements,
and shifting positions. 546 For instance, in 1965, Aubry listed “flushing or paleness
of skin,” “pulse rate increase or decrease,” and even “licking of the lips,” among
a generous list of indicators of deception. 547 Obviously, many of these behaviors
are exhibited by individuals in everyday conversation, and some even contradict
others as supposed signs of deception.
In a survey of the empirical studies on behaviors exhibited during deception,
Vrij has accumulated several results that will be useful to the interrogator searching
for deception. The studies, when taken together in a meta-analysis, are mostly
inconclusive for the exhibited behavior, and in fact only three general trends can
be found.
Verbal Characteristics
1. Liars tend to have a higher-pitched voice than truth-tellers (probably
caused by stress), but the difference is so small as to be detectable only
with sophisticated equipment. 548
2. Liars seem to pause for longer when they speak than do truth-tellers. 549
Non-vocal Characteristics
1. Liars tend to move their arms, hands, fingers, feet, and legs less than
truth-tellers.
546
Alberet Vrij, Detecting Lies and Deceit: The Psychology of Lying and the Implications for
Professional Practice (New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2000), 33.
547
Aubry and Caputo, see note 406, p. 123-134.
548
Vrij, see note 546, p. 32-33.
549
Id., p. 33.
197