In Depth

How to Spot a Liar: Identifying Deceptive Behavior

Spotting a liar requires a good read on visual clues, but cross-examination and critical thinking are even better

By Daintry Duffy

Pick the Right Setting

The location of the encounter can also contribute greatly to its success. Again, it's important to know what kind of question-and-answer session is appropriate. Interrogations should always take place in your office, never at a subject's home or office where he feels more secure and is less apt to confess to wrongdoing. The location of an interview, on the other hand, may vary. Here are some more tips for designing an appropriate interview space:

• The room should be nonthreatening and not too small. Gordon suggests a 9-by-9 space.
• The room should contain a desk, a few chairs and bland artwork.
• There should be nothing on the wall that the subject will face.
• Two chairs should be set up with nothing between them so that the subject has no physical barrier to reduce stress and so you can view the subjects entire body language.
• The chairs should be a social distance apart (3 to 4 feet) for an interview. For an interrogation, use chairs on casters so that you can move into the subjects personal space.
• Your chair should be higher than the subject's chair to create a sense of superiority.

Also, if you have others in the interview room—whether its a subjects supervisor, or a representative from legal or HR—have those people sit quietly behind the interview subject so as not to be a distraction, says Gordon.

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