Investigative Library

Current Investigative Tips & Topics

• Signs of Intentional Deception / Body Language

• Is your spouse cheating on you? Some telltale indicators

Is the person that you are interviewing attempting to deceive you? There are certain telltale signs that may suggest that your subject may be attempting to deceive or cover-up important information. Below is list of behavioral “flags” that could possibly indicate that your subject may not be forthcoming with the truth. These indications are the result
of numerous studies in the realm of behavioral science and are contained in a variety of police training manuals and texts. One such source is Tactics for Criminal Patrol, by Charles Remsberg (Calibre Press, Northbrook, Illinois: 1995). This work provides a very
comprehensive analysis of these behaviors. The information provided below is a compilation of several sources that I have read and studied. I have attempted to compile this information into a table of several key “flags” of behavior. Remember, a person who is exhibiting one or more of these flags does not necessarily mean that person is lying. It
does mean, however, that further investigation is warranted, especially if two or more of these indicators are present.

Flag 1: STALLING: A person with nothing to hide usually answers questions directly and without much hesitation as the subject is providing only one available answer, which is the truth. A person with something to cover may stall in an effort to get the story
“straight”. Such indications of stalling may also include the subject appearing to be offended by the nature of the question, or attempting to answer a question with a question.

Flag 2: DIVERTING THE QUESTIONS OR THE INTERVIEWER: The subject may begin to pose questions to the interviewer, some of which may not have anything to do with the matter at hand. This is a sign that the subject may be attempting to control the interviewing process and divert attention from the subject matter or himself/herself.

Flag 3: CONFLICTING INFORMATION: This may range from the obvious to the more subtle. The subject may attempt to change his/her story midway through the interview when he/she believes that it is necessary. Or, the subject may provide a conflicting answer to a question previously asked, and then attempt to make believe that
the revised answer is what was said or intended in the first place.

Flag 4: USE OF CERTAIN EXPRESSIONS: “To the best of my knowledge”, “To the best of my memory”, etc. are frequent signs that the subject is providing a “conditioned” response to give him/her an “out” if it is later needed. Also, statements such as “I am a law abiding citizen”, “I am a very moral person”, “I wouldn’t lie to you”,
“I don’t lie” are fairly self serving when frequently invoked. Additional expressions include “I have always been a good person”, “I have never done anything to be ashamed of...” etc.

Flag 4: OVERUSE OF “I DON’T REMEMBER”: When a person does not appear to be able to remember the most basic information, this is cause for concern of a possible intention to cover-up.

Flag 5: INVOKING RELIGIOUS AFFIRMATIONS: “I swear to God”, “I swear on my father’s grave”, “I swear on my child’s life”, are all common expressions which raise the level of suspicion of an astute interviewer. A person answering questions honestly and truthfully does not normally find it necessary to recite such affirmations.

Flag 6: SUDDEN CHANGES OF FACIAL EXPRESSION: In a face to face
interview, when the facial expressions of a subject change radically with changes in questions, this may indicate a conflict. When a “blank” expression suddenly turns to a smile, frown or even a forced chuckle or laugh, this may be an indication of discomfort with the question or conflict with the answer.

Flag 7: REHEARSED ANSWERS: Usually, false alibis are vary well rehearsed so they can be presented with effectiveness. They can be identified by the subject picking up in his or her “story” in the exact spot where he/she left off after an interruption. A rehearsed story tends to be “narrated”.

Flag 8: TIME CONCERNS: The subject may provide short answers with little detail, citing time constraints. The subject may be “in a hurry” and state that he/she does not have time to provide long or detailed answers to the questions. (e.g I don’t have time to go into detail).

Flag 9: SPEECH PROBLEMS: A subject that converses well initially, then suddenly begins to stutter, mumble, hesitate when providing answers to significant questions. This is a very important flag, especially when present with changes in facial expressions and
body movements.

Flag 10: REPETITIVENESS: This may occur in several forms, such as repeating yes or no to the same question at one time (e.g. yes, yes, yes...), or invoking the affirmations or certain expressions as listed above repeatedly during the same interview.

Summary: During an interview, it is clearly natural for an innocent person to display various idiosyncratic reactions to stressful questions and situations, some of which may be identified with the above flags. This does not necessarily mean that the subject is attempting to cover up the truth or lie. An experienced investigator or interviewer can
learn to differentiate between a person attempting to be truthful and someone that is intentionally attempting to deceive. In all cases, however, it is the legwork and the validation of facts that will ultimately determine the truth. These flags of possible deception are compiled and presented only as a guide.

Indications of Marital Infidelity: A Practical Guide to Discovery

Is your spouse having an affair? Hopefully you are reading this for entertainment rather than necessity. But if you have reason to suspect that your husband or wife may be having an affair, the following list of indicators may provide valuable insight. These indicators have been compiled from a variety of sources, not the least of which is years of investigative experience into matters of domestic betrayal. These indicators are provided as a general guide only. Absent of any undeniable evidence or admission of guilt, one must not jump to conclusions without having evidence to support those conclusions. However, the presence of two or more of the indicators listed below suggests that professional assistance should be sought.

_____ Intuition: Do you have a "gut feeling" that something is not right? Are your instincts telling you that there may be a problem? Hopefully, you know your spouse better than anyone else and are "in tune" with that person, perhaps on a "higher level" of consciousness. If you are a spouse with normal to keen sensibilities (absent of unwarranted paranoia) and have a nagging feeling or suspicion that something is amiss, this is probably one of the greatest warning signs of infidelity.

_____ Schedule Changes / Unaccounted Time: Have you noticed any discernible change in your spouse's schedule? Is he or she leaving for work earlier than usual, or arriving at home later than usual? Have you noticed any periods of time your spouse does not account for? Is he or she suddenly "required" to work late, go to more meetings or business lunches? While schedule changes by themselves may mean nothing, combined with other factors may be significant.

_____ Grooming / Dress Changes: A sudden change in grooming habits (e.g. taking more baths or showers than usual for that person, a change in shaving habits and hair styles, differences or changes in make-up, cologne or perfume), sudden interest in losing weight, working out or tanning are sometimes subtle indicators of an extramarital interest. New clothes (especially underwear) or a sudden interest in dress, fashion or style of clothing may also be indicators.

_____ Changes in Sexual Habits: A rather interesting but common indicator is the sudden (or subtle) increase or decrease in sexual requests, relations and patterns by your spouse.

_____ Telephone Habits: Have you noticed your spouse whispering on the phone or abruptly ending a conversation when you walk into the room or are nearby? Have you been getting an increase in the number of hang-ups or wrong numbers, especially when you answer the telephone? If you have caller ID, are the calls being frequently erased, or is there an increase in the number of "anonymous" calls? If your spouse has a cellular telephone, is there a substantial increase in the bill? What about the times and length of the calls as recorded on the cellular telephone bill? Are there calls that appear inconsistent with normal business or family matters?

_____ Spending Habits: Most frequently, extramarital affairs require money, whether it is used to pay for a motel room, buy birthday or Christmas presents, Valentine Day presents, etc. Are there unexplained credit card receipts (or missing statements)? Are there an unusual number of checks made out to "Cash?"

_____ Physical or "Forensic" Evidence: Such evidence is perhaps the most obvious and the most damaging but the least common. After all, what sane husband would think of coming home with lipstick on his collar (or other articles of his clothing), or the smell of someone else's perfume emanating from his clothes? (Frankly, most men would probably burn their shirt and walk in to the house without wearing anything before providing such ammunition, then attempt to concoct a wild but somehow believable story to cover their tracks). On the other hand, the longer the affair, the less careful people have a tendency to become. Here are some "physical evidence" signs to look for: the guilty mate suddenly washes clothes right after they are worn; unknown telephone numbers written down on scrap paper; matchbooks from restaurants or hotels that you have never been to; condoms, secretion stains of questionable origin.

I have found that at least two of the above indicators apply in my situation and I feel strongly that something is up. What should I do? Should I confront my spouse?

Answer: As tempting as it may be right now in this emotionally charged situation, the worst thing that you could do would be to confront your spouse with your suspicions and your "evidence". Without regard to the moral implications of marital infidelity, you need to seek the advice and assistance of a professional that has no emotional involvement in the matter. NEVER play the role of an investigator and try to follow your spouse or conduct your own surveillance. NEVER try to follow them or have one of your friends follow them. I have seen these situations blow up with unfavorable results all around.
Simply stated, contact a reputable licensed private investigator in your area that has experience in these matters BEFORE you do anything. Depending on the status of your relationship, seek the advice and counsel of a reputable attorney as well.

ADVERTISE WITH US! Contact us for rate information.

International best-selling author. Recommended reading!

From webmaster: Wonderful company & great products!

HOME