- Truthful people generally remember events fluently and sequentially, even if they forget minor details.
- Liars often:
- Give overly vague answers, or too much irrelevant detail
- Avoid a clear chronology
- Hesitate unusually when reconstructing the story
- Asking for a step-by-step account increases cognitive load, revealing inconsistencies in timing or sequence.
“What happened just before and just after?”
- Lies tend to focus on the central event and ignore context.
- By examining what happened before and after, you can detect:
- Contradictions
- Unusual gaps or changes in the story
- Hesitations that wouldn’t exist in genuine recollections
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t make direct accusations without evidence
- Avoid interrupting constantly
- Don’t rely solely on “universal signs” like avoiding eye contact (it’s not always reliable)
The most effective approach is patient observation and focusing on narrative inconsistencies, not isolated gestures.
