Body Language & Criminal Interrogations

I've always been fascinated by the idea of body language. So many times you know someone is not telling the trugh and you just know it, but cannot say why you know. I've read a few books about body language, but they were very generaland not really helpful. Recently I found Joe Navarro's book, "What Every Body is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People", it is detailed, easy to follow and very useful.

At the same timewatching crime show interrogations are also fascinating. The techniques investigators use to get confessions are sometimes so amazing, but so succesful. No beatings or phyiscal torture is involved either.

This is a narrated interview with a Canadian serial killer/rapiest that is really good:



The Interrogation of Stephanie Lazarus

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Why she shoot him?

When I was practicing law, I read a book on human factors and getting truthful testimony from liars that was like what Gene describes.

That first one was fascinating. That detective was really good.

My ex-wife "learned herself" into handwriting examination from an internationally known expert who wrote dozens of books and periodical stories ...she was an FBI consultant on several occasions ( the teacher, not the EX) ...

Then she did some jobs with her knowledge and a few fun party event like things....

She made some decent money from chick parties but I think she didn't persue it much further...
I don't converse with her much anymore...so I don't know...

I'm guessing "body language" is semi related in certain aspects but relies much more on video and sound than the hand written word as does "hand writing analysis" is concrete on paper analysis does...

CelticBomber recommended a book a few years ago by Malcolm what'shisname...absolutely bows up all the "I could just tell" feelings people get.

Let me think a bit and get back to youse.

Malcolm Gladwell~ Talking to Strangers

I think that's the one.

I wonder how many years go by before you stop looking over your shoulder and think you actually got away with murder

19, so far.

So, uhm 19 years or 19 victims? 😰

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I'll just plead the 5th for now...
but very good question.

19 years since the act, or since you started thinking you got away with it?

um, yes.

I'd a gone with the 5th again personally. But curiosity sated, so thanks!

You're supposed to tell him that before he answers.

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free on a technicality!!!
can't do that in Russia.
God, I love this country!

Anyway, I do love the topic of the op...

I would've, but I was still curious at the time

Ordered, thanks for the suggestion.

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It's an amazing book. It tackles exactly what your original post mentions and turns everything on it's head with hard data and study after study. You'd think 30 years of being an interrogator would make you and expert in spotting lies. Turns out, not so much. He's been one of my favorite authors ever since I discovered him.

yeah, the average person has a default mechanism to truth that makes us want to trust others...otherwise a civil society is impossible...he uses an example of a person who is suspicious of everyone and is the loner who everybody avoids...I'm guessing that the FBI agent who distrusts and speed reads people may be that guy...

the CIA had a female double agent who was feeding Castro all the goods for decades, and none of her co-workers or bosses ever suspected...

Gladwell says law enforcement and police officers did no better than the average person in detecting truthfulness...