History of Lie Detection

The start of lie detection in America's legal system

The 1920’s involved an increase in academic criminology

Lying and the brain

fMRI are used to look at brain activity

Cognitive processes in person's head could be linked to the arousal of lying

John Larson and Leonarde Keeler both promoted the polygraph

There have been at least three attempts to have fMRI for lie detection in courts since 2010

Ancient Methods of Lie Detection

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In China, during 1000 BC, the rice test was commonly used

Based off the principle that fear and anxiety reduce saliva production

"Trial by Ordeal" methods based off of religion opposed to physiological factors

Based off the idea that God would not let an innocent person suffer

Hot water test

Cold water test used to test supposed witches

Not approved yet

There are new inventions for lie detection always being made and improvements with the fMRI

fMRIs show neural activity

Images show the flow of blood and what parts are receiving oxygenated blood in the brain

African medicine men believed they could smell out a liar

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In North Bengal, the Red Hot Iron Ordeal was commonly used

Larson reported his studies and ideas in journals

Keeler promoted his work to the military and intelligence agencies during WW2 and the Cold War

Cold War Era filled with suspicion among Americans

Government used lie detection to combat communism

Government also used lie detection to combat homosexuality

Investigative Units were set up to deal with moral deviations within state departments

These investigations mostly dealt with suspected homosexuals

Led to many forced resignations

Lie detection became a form of intimidation

Many people contributed to the idea of a polygraph

Body Movements and Facial Expressions

Your body does not know how to lie

Sweating

Body language experts study peoples body language when being questioned

Body involuntary starts to sweat

Eye movement

Looking away or staring

Moving around

Nervously moving around or shaking

Used in criminal cases to interview suspects, witnesses, and victims

Body language theorist think there is a reason for the way you walk, sit, shake hands, really any movement that you do

Speech

Stuttering words when you are trying to talk

Changing you story

Getting angry and defensive

Emotions play a role as well. Anxiety, guilt, and fear

Polygraphs form charts based off physiological changes in respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, and electrodermal responses

Polygraphs used for screening clearances and investigations

Sympathetic Nervous system releases adrenaline after an individual tells a lie,which can stimulate some of these physiological changes

Franz Gall suggested using Phrenology to detect if a lie is being told

He believed certain areas of the brain represented an individuals tendency to lie

Often involved fire, water or poison

Person would lick a hot iron to see if bruising occurred

Involved stick hand in boiling pot of water to see if blistering occurred

Poison was commonly used in India and Africa

Some think that people waiting on death row should be able to have an fMRI scan as evidence

Some scientist say the fMRIs should only be used when the stakes are not high

Paul Ekman has taught himself and others how to know when someone is lying

He looks at micro expressions that occur in 1/25 of a second

Highest form of technology, and most accurate for catching people in a lie.

fMRIs are not bias and show real results