Signs of Deception

Body Language

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The person will make little or no eye contact. A person who is lying to you will do

everything to avoid making eye contact.

•

Physical expression will be limited, with few arm and hand movements. What arm and hand

movements are present will seem stiff, and mechanical. Hands, arm and legs pull in toward

the body; the individual takes up less space.

•

His hand(s) may go up to his face or throat, especially to the mouth. But contact with his

body is limited to these areas. He is also unlikely to touch his chest with an open hand

gesture. He may also touch the nose or scratch behind the ear.

• If he is trying to appear casual and relaxed about his answer, he may shrug a little.

Emotional States: Consistency and Contradiction

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The timing is off between gestures and words. If the facial expression comes after the verbal

statement (“I am so angry with you right now” … pause … and then the angry expression), it

looks false.

•

The head moves in a mechanical fashion without regard to emphasis, indicating a conscious

movement.

•

Gestures don’t match the verbal message, such as frowning when saying “I love you.” Hands

tightly clenched and a statement of pleasure are not in sync with each other.

•

The timing and duration of emotional gestures will seem off. The emotion is delayed coming

on, stays longer than it should, and fades out abruptly.

•

Expression will be limited to the mouth area when the person is feigning certain emotions –happiness, surprise, awe, and so on – rather than the whole face.

Interpersonal Interactions – When we are wrongfully accused, only a guilty person gets

defensive. Someone who is innocent will usually go on the offensive.

•

He is reluctant to face his accuser and may turn his head or shift his body away.

•

The person who is lying will probably slouch; he is unlikely to stand tall with his arms out or

outstretched.

•

There’s movement away from his accuser, possibly in the direction of the exit.

•

There will be little or no physical contact during his attempt to convince you.

•

He will not point his finger at the person he is trying to convince.

•

He may place physical objects (pillow, drinking glass, et cetera) between himself and his

accuser to form a barrier, with a verbal equivalent of “I don’t want to talk about it,” indicating
deception or covert intention.