Detecting Deception

Course Description:

Detecting Deception typically differs from the traditional Interview and Interrogation training provided in law enforcement programs. For example, the physical interrogation room set up, the twelve steps of an interrogation as well as laws that apply only to law enforcement are all unnecessary and therefore omitted. However, the same psychological understanding that generates behavior related to "body language", eye assessing cues as well as verbal response evaluations remain the same. Detecting Deception still includes Forensic Statement Analysis basics, interviewing techniques, common mistake avoidance and the remaining secrets of obtaining the truth.

Prerequisites:

Regardless of your current job assignment or duties this training is designed for all levels of corporate employees. It is specifically designed for Human Resources officers, managers, supervisors, sales negotiators and anyone with the need to know the truth. There are no prerequisites associated this training. Every attendee regardless of their prior training and experience from the novice to experienced interviewer will build on their already learned skills.

Course Objectives:

At the end of the course, students will be able to do the following:
  • Identify the ten most common mistakes oftentimes made by investigators.

  • Describe the differences between an interview and interrogation.

  • Describe the "fight vs. flight" syndrome and its effects on behavioral analysis.

  • Perform analysis on verbal and written statements.

  • Prepare a list of "open" and "closed ended" questions.
  • Describe the cause and affects of the "false positive" and how to avoid same.

  • Recognize the "evasive verbal response" and its affective antidote.

  • Repeat the three (3) mandated questions of the "verbal lie detector".

  • Describe the importance of allowing a suspect to maintain their dignity.


Topics:

Students in this course will become familiar with:
  • Introduction to Detecting Deception.

  • Common myths of success or failure rate.

  • Lies of Omission.

  • Fight v. flight.

  • Traditional problems.

  • Evasive Verbal Responses.

  • Recognizing that it is not easy to lie.

  • Old v. new way of preparing for the interview.

  • Direct questioning in every situation.

  • Ignore the emotions

  • Look for out of ordinary language.

  • Events in the past should be written as such.

  • Do not accept conclusions from the subject.

  • Truthful statements reflect reality.
  • Recognize "links" suggesting missing time.

  • Recognizing clues of deception in written statements.

  • Interview v. Interrogation.

  • Structured approach.

  • Means of communication.

  • "Clusters" and "key" questions.

  • Verbal evaluations.

  • Establishing power of influence.

  • Truthful Characteristics.

  • Reinforcers.

  • Escape hatches.

  • Deceptive lies (generalized).

  • Behavioral Exceptions.

  • Normal eye contact.