His 3 Sons are Missing, Father Posts, "'I love my wife very much. May God and Tanya forgive me.'" on Facebook

As the FBI, police, and volunteers scour parks, woods, and countryside looking for any sign of Andrew, Alex, and Tanner Skelton, investigators try to work quickly with few clues and changing stories.

Hopes of finding the boys alive are steadily dwindling. Skelton originally told police that he gave his sons to a woman he met on the Internet so she could bring them to their mother, Tanya Skelton. However, on Monday police said Skelton lied about the woman he supposedly gave his sons to and they do not believe she exists.

Skelton, 39, had been in an Ohio hospital since Friday, receiving treatment for "mental health issues" after telling police he tried to hang himself.

Authorities do not expect a positive outcome...◦

His 3 Sons are Missing, Father Posts, "'I love my wife very much. May God and Tanya forgive me.'" on Facebook

Lowering Reading Glasses and Looking at Someone Can Mean Several Different Things Depending on the Facial Expression

Alain de Pouzilhac, President and Director of Aud-iovisuel exterieur de la France that owns France 24, looks on at a press briefing.

Here we can see he is amused because of the smile; but imagine if he had anger in his eyes- it might remind you of a parent scolding a child with an expression.◦

Lowering Reading Glasses and Looking at Someone Can Mean Several Different Things Depending on the Facial Expression

If you have to shop please click below...

I love writing about the subjects I do on this website. I have links to books related to the site and occasionally people will check out items at Amazon.

I'm not getting rich doing this, I've earned little over 200 dollars year-to-date; after 20 bucks for the domain name,  I am clearing at least a quarter a hour! Which I turn around and buy more books on the subject, not a great business plan- but this is not about business, it is about continuing my passion. If you are shopping on this cyber Monday at Amazon, go ahead and click on the banner below and maybe I'll retire someplace like Costa Rica :-) 

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If you have to shop please click below...

Lawsuits, Theft, Assult, Charlie Sheen and the Adult Film Star

This is an interview that anyone who wants to learn more about the craft should watch . 

Things you should look for:

• When does she speak freely and naturally?
• When is she speaking with slight hesitation, as she is carefully thinking about her word choices?
• When, as she describes the events, does she leave certain critical parts of what happened in the room out. Unexplained jumps in time?
• When does she 'skirt' around her purpose of being in the room?
• Does she truly feel horrible about being in danger/assaulted?

If you were the investigating detective what would you ask her?

Now the big questions:

• Was she choked by Charlie Sheen?

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Lawsuits, Theft, Assult, Charlie Sheen and the Adult Film Star

University of Utah psychologists develop eye scanning lie detector

University of Utah team developed what is called Ocular Motor Deception Detection software, or OMDD. The technology was developed by University of Utah Psychologists and is being introduced into the marketplace by local venture capitalists.

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University of Utah psychologists develop eye scanning lie detector

Gestures in Silent Films

Below is a video that is not meant to teach us anything about gestures; It is to appreciate a different time when gestures and body language told the story. 

Today we have become lazy- it is so much easier to focus on the words than the facial expressions and body language. 

Today the key is to find the balance between gestures, body language, emotions, and words- if you achieve this balance you are completely listening.

Gestures in Silent Films

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Gestures in Silent Films

Short Video: Lying Avatars Study that Used Eye Motion Research

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Short Video: Lying Avatars Study that Used Eye Motion Research

Does Statement Analysis Apply to Other Languages?

I got a great email the other day:

I'm a frequent reader of your blog, and the "be like me" part on your site is very good. It gave me a good base where to start.

I've been reading a lot of books about body language and tried to put them in practice, it's amazing what you normally would miss.

But now I was about to start the book "I know you are lying", but does this also apply to other languages?

Great question!

Yes and no. Love getting the ultimate non answer?!?!

This is what I found in my years researching deception. Whenever I clearly hear someone lie, it is like I can trace it back to the origins of lying.

We all learn to lie- and the benefits and consequences of lying- at a very early age. These lessons carry forward into adulthood.

Remember when confronted by a parent about eating a cookie?  Instinctively (and through trial and error) we knew we would not get away with the lie but we go ahead and deny it.  Somewhere along the way we also learned, because it was only a cookie, so we might say 'no' but with a slightly playful and mischievous smile because it is unlikely we will receive a severe punishment.  We also know if we vehemently deny eating the cookie we risk making our parent even more angry, so we do not to scream that we did not eat the cookie.

I see differnent 'lying styles' in many of the lies I detect, and if you understand a couple of things about lying, being able to use statement analysis in other language works.  Here are a few:

• People who have done something wrong have a hard time confidently denying their actions.
• People will attempt to misdirect and often will leave critical sections out of their explanations. Text bridges are in every language (a text bridge is key words that signal there may be a gap in a their story.  My clearest example I use all the time is a statement, "I saw him standing there, then the next thing I know he is laying on the ground with blood coming out of his chest."  The text bridge is the 'then' and this shows us something happened between the two parts of the statement; in the above statement the man did not include that he shot the man- a fully truthful statement would have been, "I saw him standing there, I shot him and he fell down, and he was laying on the ground with blood coming out of his chest." 
• If people are given simple yes and no questions- in any language- and they do not answer with a simple yes or no, it is a signal that more follow questions may be necessary.
• Lying takes more thought than simply stating the truth.  When we are thinking of what really happened and what we are willing to say about what happened, we often make mistakes and those trained in detecting deception can see the subtle differences in word choices and the pace that the words are delivered.
• There are many more (feel free to insert others in the comment section of the post so others can see more examples).

Now onto the your future work in statement analysis.  My advice to you is: go ahead and learn about statement analysis in English, then write your own book using specific examples using your own language.  The exercise will make you much better at detecting deception, and you may be a successful author and lecturer in your own country. Good luck.◦

Does Statement Analysis Apply to Other Languages?

Actors Now Know About the True Smile; But Don't Get Burned Trying to Fake It

Nov 15 2010

ZACHARY LEVI ACTOR TANGLED. WORLD PREMIERE HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA
Very few people can fake a true smile, but sometimes when you try to give yourself those lines on the outside of our eyes, you raise up the entire face and we end up with a real smile and disgust in the nose...
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Actors Now Know About the True Smile; But Don't Get Burned Trying to Fake It

Win Something- What it Means When We Hide Part of Our Face?

Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2011 beauty pageant winner Viviana Ortiz (R) from Corozal reacts as she is crowned by former Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Vicenta at the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau in San Juan November 4, 2010.

This is an interesting one. It could be we are raising our hands to our cheeks to hide the blushing that we feel in our cheeks. It could also mean that we are modest, and want to hide our joy- because after all there are others that have lost.

What is even more interesting about this particular picture, winners have been taught- modeling- to mimic the gestures of other previous winners. Next time you see the winner, carefully watch how long the gesture is held; it is likely it is over 2-3 seconds and that is a usual signal that the gesture is not heartfelt because it is held longer than most normal gestures.◦

Win Something- What it Means When We Hide Part of Our Face?

Actress Sharon Stone Gives Us the Little Bit Gesture

Actress Sharon Stone reacts as she answers a question during a news conference of the Singapore Sun Festival, in Singapore November 5, 2010. Stone, who is visiting Singapore for the first time, will host an event called Up Close and Personal with Sharon Stone during the Festival on November 6.◦

Actress Sharon Stone Gives Us the Little Bit Gesture

Voice Stress Detector- Man who took on the Mafia: The truth about Italy's gangsters

To learn more about Roberto Saviano, read this article.

I was asked by a reader to examine the below video.  I am not fluent in Italian, but after a few overseas assignments, I like to examine things from a purely body language and voice analysis perspective. 

Here is the video:


I can tell you he fully rehearsed what he said.  His gestures are NOT rehearsed and display confidence (for instance, in the way he holds his forefinger against his thumb when making a precise points) in his words. 

There were times when Roberto exhibited high stress levels in his voice when talking about certain subjects; and often during pauses he exhibited pacifying gestures (rubbing head and neck). 

Now onto the voice stress analyzer results:
Normal disclaimer, voice stress analysis is not an exact science and the results are much debated. It is only one tool that an investigator uses. The results can only help define the investigation and voice stress analysis is not meant to solely determine innocence, guilt, or deception.

• The subject was NOT EXCITED at all during the conversation.
• The subject was CONFUSED during much of the conversation.
• The subject was HIGHLY CONFUSED from time to time.
• HIGH STRESS was detected from time to time.
• It looks like the subject didn't want to talk about some of the issues.
• The subject was truthful and only a few inaccuracies and deceptions were detected.

Truthful: FINAL RISK LEVEL: 0.9%◦

Voice Stress Detector- Man who took on the Mafia: The truth about Italy's gangsters

Intense Scream After Win Signals Bottled Up Emotion and Adrenaline

France's Carole Vergne reacts after scoring a point against Dagmara Wozniak of the U.S. during their third and fourth place playoff in the sabre team competition at the 2010 the World Fencing Championships at the Grand Palais in Paris November 9, 2010.◦

Intense Scream After Win Signals Bottled Up Emotion and Adrenaline

Raw Video: Kaine Horman 'I think he's still alive'

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Raw Video: Kaine Horman 'I think he's still alive'

Kevin Jonas Fakes a Smile or Contempt?

Whenever we see a facial expression that is not equal on both side of the face- notice how one side of his mouth could be raised higher than the other, this is usually a sign of faked emotion.  Given that we can see more teeth on the side of the face that is angled away, this is contempt.  It is only a little tougher with Jonas, because I don't think I have seen him give a real smile and ofter his lips are only subtly showing movement.◦

Kevin Jonas Fakes a Smile or Contempt?

Discredit to my Profession: Face Reading Workshop conducted by Zane Cuxton on India TV

This is the type of crap that was kicked around in the middle part of the last century.  While facial appearance does determine certain personality traits (usually as it relates to beauty, confidence, and ability to communicate)  it has absolutely nothing to do with IQ and or ability to do certain professions.  I debated with myself about even taking the time to write about this junk, but I thought if there are people who actually believe any of this, then it is worth it because when they research it using a search engine they will visit this site and realize it is not what reading facial expressions is all about.

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Discredit to my Profession: Face Reading Workshop conducted by Zane Cuxton on India TV

Zooey Deschanel Knows How to Be a Movie Star!

It is like she has read every post about how to hold yourself on the red carpet that I have written.



I guess we know why she has just been signed for the next spiderman movie.  This is a common pose for the starlets who want to appear sexy.



Having all the interesting angles with her arms and legs.



Even has the interested head tilt down.


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Zooey Deschanel Knows How to Be a Movie Star!

For Some Reason Author Johanna Skibsrud Feel Venerable.

Author Johanna Skibsrud reacts after winning the Giller Prize for her book The Sentimentalists in Toronto November 9, 2010.

Whenever you see a woman covering up the hollow part of their neck there is stress and they are going through intense emotions.◦

For Some Reason Author Johanna Skibsrud Feel Venerable.

Demi Lovato Spokesman Speaks, But What is Said and Not Said?

A spokesman for troubled teen idol Demi Lovato on Wednesday denied the Disney actress was being treated for drug or alcohol addiction.

Here is what was said:

"Demi Lovato is not in treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. As we have said since she entered treatment last week, Demi decided to seek help for emotional and physical issues she has battled throughout her life," Lovato's spokesman Jesse Derris said in a statement.


"She has taken this step in order to get her life in order. While we know many are interested in Demi and her life, we do ask for a modicum of privacy during this difficult time,"

What really stands out to me is the word choice of "emotional and physical issues" and we know word choice is all important, especially to a spokesman. 

It is curious he does not say what she is actually suffering from, perhaps stress or depression? Instead choosing to use the unspecific words, is this because he (or they) feel by being more honest may affect her popularity?  Is it because they are hiding something?

We also have to be aware of the order chosen, if he had said "physical and emotional issues" it would have a slightly different meaning.


Now the most interesting thing, is not what was said, but what wasn't said. The Spokesman never directly denies that she does not have a drug or alcohol problem, he simply says she is not in treatment for addictions to drug or alcohol. People who speak on behalf of their clients very craftily choose their words in the statements that are released.  They are paid to diffuse the situation, and by using the above language  it is clear we are not getting the whole story- they are giving just enough to attempt to dispel the rumors and help their client.◦

Demi Lovato Spokesman Speaks, But What is Said and Not Said?

Russian Spy Anna Chapman Poses for the Russian Edition of Maxim!

Friday October 22, 2010. Russian spy Anna Chapman poses for the Russian edition of Maxim! Miss Chapman was one of agroup of 10 Russian spies exchanged for four Western ones five months ago. Anna, who has been compared to a real-life Bond girl, has reportedly been trying to land a six figure sum for her life story and is considering posing for Playboy.

This is not some excuse to place a provocative pic on the website, it is another learning example for all of us. You can clearly see she is comfortable with herself and within her own skin.

In every picture I have seen of her she displays a certain confidence.

All this persona, how she moved her body, and interacted with others makes it clear to me how she was able to, by all accounts, be a great spy who was able to do more than blend in with some of the richest people in the NYC.◦

Russian Spy Anna Chapman Poses for the Russian Edition of Maxim!

Cultural: People from Brazil stand relatively close when waiting in lines

People from Brazil stand relatively close(r) to each other when conversing or waiting in line as we see here.



People wait in line to vote at a polling station during Brazil's general elections, at the Rocinha slum in Rio de Janeiro, October 3, 2010. Brazilians go to the polls on Sunday to choose a president to succeed the hugely popular Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has overseen a long economic boom and raised the country's international profile.◦

Cultural: People from Brazil stand relatively close when waiting in lines

Advanced Statement Analysis Book- Psychological Narrative Analysis: A Professional Method to Detect Deception in Written and Oral Communications

If you have purchased and enjoyed the insight that the book I Know You Are Lying
gave you, then this book ups everything one notch.

Many books in this area are written by English professors and quickly become boring and too dry to be read, not this one- I found a bio of the author online,  "John R. Schafer, Ph.D. is a retired FBI Special Agent. He was assigned to the FBI’s National Security Behavioral Analysis Program. Dr. Schafer’s investigative experience includes foreign counterintelligence, civil rights, and crimes against children." 

Learn about

• Tag Qualifiers
• Text Bridges
• Push-Pull Words
• Word Qualifiers

I know this likely means nothing to most people, so let me leave you with this question, "If a person starts a sentence with the word 'well' is it more or less likely there is deception?

I could give you another 20+ of these types of questions, and if you read the book, you'd know the answer, and you'd be leaps and bounds above the average in detecting deception.◦

Advanced Statement Analysis Book- Psychological Narrative Analysis: A Professional Method to Detect Deception in Written and Oral Communications

I Have Heard That there was an Apology From Kanye West? See For Yourself...

Kanye West has stepped back and expressed some regret for his comments.  But it is clear, if you really analyze his word choice, and body language, he is more sorry that he in this situation... than the content of what he said some five years ago.

Bush has accepted his apology!?!?! 

Everything is all mixed up in this situation, and of all the things- as Matt points out- this is what Bush is most upset about... Kanye's statement?!?!  Is this some sort of Wag the Dog?◦

I Have Heard That there was an Apology From Kanye West? See For Yourself...

This Picture Says a Great Deal

NOVEMBER 10, 2010. Vladimir Chernikov, first deputy director general of Oranta Insurance Company, at the 4th annual international top managers forum Future of the Russian Insurance Market .

High confidence is seen with the steeple with the hands, and confidence in open sitting position with his legs. Finger in front of his mouth tells us he is listening.  Having the hands (in the steeple) lets us know he is listening to what is being said.  Interestingly, his eyebrows form the skeptic's eyebrows...◦

This Picture Says a Great Deal

Antonio Banderas Rolling Forward Gesture with His Hands

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas gestures as he poses for photographers in front of one of his photographs during the presentation of his photo exposition Secrets on Black in Madrid November 11, 2010.◦

Antonio Banderas Rolling Forward Gesture with His Hands

Interesting Gesture Showing How they Voted- With a X

Migrant workers from Myanmar gestures against voting in Myanmar's election, at the Thai-Myanmar border November 7, 2010. Polls opened under tight security in Myanmar's first election in 20 years on Sunday, a scripted vote that assures army-backed parties an easy win but brings a hint of parliamentary politics to the isolated, oppressive state.◦

Interesting Gesture Showing How they Voted- With a X

Pro QB Fined by His Team for Poor Body Language

"Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer revealed: last week, they started fining Sanchez for poor body language in practice. Exasperated arm movements and slumped shoulders were widespread his rookie season, though he has worked to curb the bad habit.

"Seizing that chance, though, requires an ongoing molding process, physical and mental, as well as emotional and psychological. Sanchez and the Jets entered into a marriage of sorts, where in order to make it work, his coaches had to learn what he’s like in the morning, in the afternoon, when he’s tired and when he’s stressed.

“His personality is such that one minute he’s really up, and one minute he’s just lethargic and down,” Cavanaugh said. “That could change by the hour. We’re learning how to manage that. But the intentions are good. He wants to be a really good quarterback; he wants to win football games. So that’s a good starting point.”◦

Pro QB Fined by His Team for Poor Body Language

“Your Body at Work: A Guide to Sight-reading the Body Language of Business, Bosses and Boardrooms,” by David Givens

Most of us, Givens says, are obsessed with words in the workplace. But while everyone pays attention to the words – in memos, in manuals, in the mouths of bosses – they are “not making observations of the things that are apparent all around them,” things like gestures, postures, clothing, hairstyles and other subtle clues.

You’ll find out:



• How a co-worker’s hands, much more than her words, tell you how she felt about your presentation

• Why gestures at a meeting are more memorable than words

• When a shrug of the shoulders can mean the difference between “job well done” and “job could be better”

• How to train a nosy boss to back off—without uttering a single word

• What your shoes and your hair may be saying about your commitment to the job

• Why you’ll find more smiley-face stickers in cubicles than in corner offices◦

“Your Body at Work: A Guide to Sight-reading the Body Language of Business, Bosses and Boardrooms,” by David Givens

Body Language Analyst Predicted Correctly 95% of Elections Interviewed on Boston TV

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Body Language Analyst Predicted Correctly 95% of Elections Interviewed on Boston TV

Netflix: Spying for Lying Unofficial Video Course

Having recently joined Netflix, I am impressed with a couple of the items available that relates directly to the topics I discuss on this website.

So every so often I will mention things, I am watching that you could also watch if you have an interest in learning more about the craft.

1. The Human Face.  Four episodes examine the human faces from every angle: cultural, historical, biological, physiological, and psychological.  I wish my first experience with this topic as an undergraduate had been so well laid out; instead I had to read Ekman's book and some things are grasped much better when you see the expressions on video- instead of described via writing.
2. The First 48.   This is the reality crime series that follows real life homicide detectives as they investigate murders.  There is no better place to see videos of interviews and interrogations.  These episodes have actual persons of interest... lying, telling half truths, giving themselves away... or their associates.  Watch all the seasons (there are ten seasons online as I write this) and it really is like you have been a detective if you have taken the time to read the books I recommend on the right hand side of this web page.  You see the different tricks of the detective, learn to spot the lie more naturally (compared to just examining the technical aspects of body language) and gain experience.  My advice is to start with season 10 and work backwards through the seasons.

More suggestions to come as I find them, if you know of any others we should be watching, drop me an email (using the link on the botton of this webpage) and I'll pass them along to other loyal readers of Spying for Lying.◦

Netflix: Spying for Lying Unofficial Video Course

Video: Creepy Japanese Expression-Mimicking Robot Hangs Out In Hospitals, "Comforting" Patients

It is getting a little scary out there; do not see it working in hospitals, but could see it being used in other areas related to expressions.◦

Video: Creepy Japanese Expression-Mimicking Robot Hangs Out In Hospitals, "Comforting" Patients

New Emotional Tool For Researchers: Affectiva Q Sensor

The Affectiva Q Sensor is a wearable, wireless biosensor that measures emotional arousal via skin conductance, a form of electrodermal activity that grows higher during states such as excitement, attention or anxiety and lower during states such as boredom or relaxation. The sensor also measures temperature and activity.◦

New Emotional Tool For Researchers: Affectiva Q Sensor

No Political Person Should Use This Gesture, even in Brazil

Dilma Rousseff, Brazil's presidential candidate for the ruling Workers' Party, gestures as she leaves a voting booth in Porto Alegre October 31, 2010.

This gesture was made famous by Nixon as he boarded the military helicopter for the last time on the White House Lawn after resigning as President.  It is probably one of the most 'popular' picture of Nixon and has come to symbolize the whole Watergate scandal.
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No Political Person Should Use This Gesture, even in Brazil

Set TIVO or the DVR: Science of Interrogation

Saturday 6th November 2010

5:00am  Science of Interrogation on National Geographic Channel◦

Set TIVO or the DVR: Science of Interrogation

Even Behind the Beard, Contempt is Easily Seen

MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 03: Writer Robert Kirman (L) and actor Andrew Lincoln (R) attend 'The Walking Dead' photocall at the ME Hotel on November 3, 2010 in Madrid, Spain.
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Even Behind the Beard, Contempt is Easily Seen

Raise the Roof Gesture

Actress Nadia Khlifi poses during a photo call for the in-competition film Lo Sono Con Te by Guido Chiesa at the Rome Film Festival November 3, 2010.

When we do this, it is a sign that good things are happening. Most of the time it is saying there is too much excitement or emotion to keep in a small area, so the roof is going to upward...◦

Raise the Roof Gesture

Pray for a win for our team

The next time you are watching a tight football game, towards the end, when there is a timeout you will see this gesture from the fans of the team that is behind.

When at the actual sporting event, especially in bowl games, where the score is going back and forth, it is almost cosmical to see the fan gestures sway back and forth between positive and hopeful...◦

Pray for a win for our team

An Article You Should Check Out: MRI brain imaging pinpoints deception

MRI brain imaging pinpoints deception

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An Article You Should Check Out: MRI brain imaging pinpoints deception

Video of Professor Gabriel Grayson on Body Language

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Video of Professor Gabriel Grayson on Body Language

An Article You Should Check Out: Can Body Language Predict Elections? - Jared Keller - Politics - The Atlantic

Can Body Language Predict Elections? - Jared Keller - Politics - The Atlantic◦

An Article You Should Check Out: Can Body Language Predict Elections? - Jared Keller - Politics - The Atlantic

Fans React

Take a look at the fans in this picture. Notice the hands being placed on the top of the head as they react to a loss. do you know why we do this? It is a pacifying gesture that we subconsciously remember from being a baby, when our mothers and fathers would gently rub the top of out heads.◦

Fans React