Deceptive indicators

Using Indicator Waves to measure deception

Authors

  • Michelle Ligovich Murdoch University
  • Yasmin Richards Murdoch University
  • David Clarke University of Nottingham
  • David Keatley Murdoch University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/ijsll.25642

Keywords:

lying, deception detection, nonverbal communication, temporal methods, sequence analysis

Abstract

Correctly identifying when an individual is lying based on their nonverbal communication has been a central aim of researchers and practitioners. Traditionally, research has focused on individual ‘tells’ or indicators of deception. More recently, researchers have focused on clusters and sequences of nonverbal gestures; however, these methods can lead to complex outputs that are difficult to interpret. The current research uses a newly developed temporal method, Indicator Waves, to analyse the concurrent and sequential nonverbal communication of individuals caught verbally lying on tape. The analyses show the complexity of nonverbal behaviours in simplified wave diagrams and the importance of using linguistics to code nonverbal deceptive behaviours accurately. Statements made by individuals were analysed using Statement Analysis and nonverbal gestures related to lips, head, eyes and upper body were shown to change between deceptive and truthful individuals, both in the lead-up to lying and post-lying. This research is the first to use Indicator Waves in deception detection and provides a new simplified approach for understanding complex patterns of nonverbal communication in lying.

Author Biographies

  • Michelle Ligovich, Murdoch University

    Michelle Ligovich is a criminology graduate from Murdoch University. During her studies, Michelle specialised in temporal analyses of criminal cases and was an integral part of the Cold Case Review internship (CCRi). Michelle conducted research in criminal behaviour, deception detection, and applied methods.

  • Yasmin Richards, Murdoch University

    Yasmin Richards is a PhD student and an academic tutor in criminology at Murdoch University. She is an active member of several national and international research groups including Forensic Linguistic Analysis Group (FLAG), Cold Case Review internships (CCRi) and Researchers in Behavior Sequence Analysis (ReBSA). She has published several papers in the field of deception detection; specifically, temporal methods that can assist law enforcement with ongoing investigations.

  • David Clarke, University of Nottingham

    David Clarke is Emeritus Professor of Psychology, and former Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, UK. He holds doctorates from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and mainly researches pathways into and out of dangerous situations, using Behavioural Sequence Analysis. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Chartered Psychologist.

  • David Keatley, Murdoch University

    David Keatley is an Associate Professor in Criminology at Murdoch University. He is Director of Researchers in Behavior Sequence Analysis (ReBSA); Forensic Linguistics Analysis Group (FLAG); and Cold Case Review internships (CCRi). He has published over 70 articles in leading academic journals and published three books. Alongside his academic work, he has also consulted with police departments around the world on a number of cold and current cases. 

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Published

2023-12-19

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 2 (2023)

Section

Articles

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© Equinox Publishing Ltd.

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How to Cite

Ligovich, M., Richards, Y., Clarke, D., & Keatley, D. (2023). Deceptive indicators: Using Indicator Waves to measure deception. International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law, 30(2), 268-292. https://doi.org/10.1558/ijsll.25642