An excellent skill to master is learning the tactics and cues to catch a lying individual in the act. A good liar may be an excellent, convincing story teller. However, they may exhibit subtle physical traits that betray their otherwise smooth demeanor. These characteristics are not definitive tells of a liar; but they can be excellent indicators that lying is likely, particularly in combination with each other.
- Know Your Individual – Before evaluating a potential liar, it’s important to get familiar with the individual. Figure out how he/she acts and responds when in a comfortable open and honest environment and conversely how he/she responds to an uncomfortable setting. How do their movements and responses differ? Take note of these changes and apply them later to the information you think might be lied about. Among the things you’ll likely notice are the movement/adjustments made when the person gets nervous also called pacifiers; among these are face or neck touching, hair fixing, and adjustments to one’s watch or jewelry.
- Evaluating Hesitation – There is a fine line in momentarily collecting one’s thoughts (thinking before speaking) and delaying a response in order to create a story or lie; know the difference.
- Matching Words with Actions – Do their verbal and nonverbal responses match or synch up? If they do not then this is a good indicator that something is up. An easy example is the person that says “no”, but simultaneously nods their head or vice versa. This example of a disconnect between body and mind demonstrates a lack of complete commitment by the person being questioned.
- Eye Contact – Eye contact is another simple but accurate tool. A liar will avoid eye contact and may shield their eyes/mouth while talking. This is an example of internal conflict. By obstructing view a person once again demonstrates a lack of commit/belief in what is being said. Furthermore, a liar will welcome the opportunity to lower the pressure by changing the subject, while an honest individual will want to reinforce the truth being told.
Good liars are difficult to catch because they begin to believe in their lies. However, while their words may seem confident, their body often betrays them. Keen observation may reveal what their words do not; the truth. Hiring an experienced private detective to obtain video evidence that the best of liars cannot refute is the best way to catch your cheating spouse in their lie.
