Detecting deceit – guessing or assessing? Study on the applicability of veracity assessment methods in human intelligence

Abstract

Intelligence from a human source, that is falsely thought to be true, is potentially more harmful than a total lack of it. In addition to the collection the veracity assessment of the gathered information is one of the most important phases of the process. Lie detection and veracity assessment methods have been studied widely but a comprehensive analysis of these methods’ applicability is lacking. Multi Criteria Analysis was conducted to compare scientifically valid lie detection and veracity assessment methods in terms of accuracy, ease of use, time requirements, need for special equipment and unobtrusiveness. Results of the analysis showed that Studied Features of Discourse and Nonverbal Communication gained the highest ranking. They were assessed to be the easiest and fastest to apply, and to have required temporal and contextual sensitivity. Plausibility and Inner Logic, MACE and CBCA were also found to be useful, but with some limitations.