Have you ever been in a situation where you feel you are not being told the whole truth, but there was no way to find things out exactly? Well, there’s help for you now, and with these simple tips, you can gently – but surely – coax the truth out of a liar’s mouth (without them being none the wiser as you go along!). Isn’t it neat?
1. Use Open Questions
This forces the liar to expand on their tale until they become entrapped in their own lies.
2. Employ the Element of Surprise
Investigators should try to make the questions harder for the liar by asking them unanticipated questions that might be slightly confusing, or asking them to report an event backwards in time – techniques that make it harder for them to maintain their lie.
3. Watch for Small, Verifiable Details
Let’s say someone tells you he attends British International College, ask them to tell you about how their classes are held – don’t be general, be very specific. If you find a contradiction though (which you can easily check online), don’t give yourself away – it’s better to allow the liar’s confidence to build as they rattle off more falsehoods, rather than correcting them.
4. Observe Changes in Confidence
Watch carefully to see how a potential liar’s style changes when they are challenged: a liar may be just as talkative when they feel in charge of a conversation; but if their comfort zone is limited, they may speak less if they feel like they are losing control.
Remember though that the aim is to engage them in a casual conversation rather than an intense interrogation. Under this gentle pressure, however, the liar will give themselves away by contradicting their own story, or by becoming obviously evasive or erratic in their responses.
And you will certainly catch that liar!