Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

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Mechanical Detection of Deception:
A Short Review
Kristin E. Heckman, D.Sc.
Mark D. Happel, D.Sc.
with the assistance of
Janice R. Ballo, Research Librarian
The MITRE Corporation
November 2005
Abstract
This paper presents a short review of the mechanical methods developed to
detect deception over the past century. The paper is divided into two main
sections, psychophysiological mechanisms and neurological mechanisms,
based on the two primary means of mechanically acquiring the metrics used
to detect deception. Within these two sections, each mechanism and its potential
for deployment is described.
The development of a more effective means for detecting deception is predicated
on research to build a sound theoretical basis on which to design such
a system. The study finds that, despite the polygraph’s shortcomings, there is
currently no viable technical alternative to polygraphy. While some neuroscience-based
alternatives have been proposed, there are significant problems
with these techniques and far more research is needed if they are to become
sufficiently reliable for use in operational settings.
Introduction
Society has long wished to combat corruption, crime, and dishonesty by
using scientific techniques and technologies. The notion that honesty can be
found and identified scientifically has led to the development of a variety of
deception detection mechanisms throughout the last century. The value of some of
these mechanisms is limited, either because the mechanism’s validity has drawn
recurrent rejection (e.g., truth serums) or for policy reasons (e.g., the polygraph).
The need for accurate and reliable means of detecting attempts by individuals
to deceive others, particularly intelligence and law enforcement professionals,
is compelling. Yet it is all too readily apparent that the current technical and
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