Lies from Friends/Family and Strangers and How to Tell

In a study of groups of people that knew each other (familiar persons) they were able to able to detect deception when visual cues were withheld.

They also learned, deceptions of strangers were more likely to be detected when visual cues were not withheld.

How we can use this?

• If you are an investigator and you need a family member to verify an alibi, play a segment of an audio tape of the suspect's denial. At the very least you should be able to "read" either stress or relief when you watch them listen to the tape. I always say "mother knows best" and when dealing with a criminal investigation they instinctively tell you much more than they know.


• When dealing with someone you know it may be best to use the telephone to more accurately determine the truth, instead of waiting for a face to face confrontation.

An article from The Journal of Nonverbal Behavior describing this in detail:
Detection of deception in familiar and unfamiliar persons: The effects of
information restriction. Millar, Murray G.; Millar, Karen; Journal of Nonverbal
Behavior, Vol 19(2), Sum 1995. pp. 69-84.

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Lies from Friends/Family and Strangers and How to Tell