Instant Fact: How to Get the Truth Out of Anyone by Unknown Page A

assurances as evidence of his innocence in a specific instance.
    Example: “Did you ever cheat on me?” and you hear, “You know I’m against that sort of
    thing. I think it morally reprehensible.”
    • He will keep adding more information until he’s sure that he has sold you on his story. The
    guilty are uncomfortable with silence. He speaks to fill the gap left by the silence.
    • He may imply an answer but never state it directly.
    Section 5: How Something Is Said
    • Deceitful response to questions regarding beliefs and attitudes take longer to think up.
    However, how fast does the rest of the sentence follow the initial one-word response? In
    truthful statements a fast no or yes is followed quickly by an explanation. If the person is
    being deceitful the rest of the sentence may come more slowly because he needs time to think
    up an explanation.
    • Watch out for reactions that are all out of proportion to the question. May repeat points that
    he has already made. May also be reluctant to use words that convey attachment and
    ownership or possessiveness (“that car” as opposed to “my car”).
    • The person who is lying may leave out pronouns and speak in a monotonous and inexpressive
    voice. When a person is making a truthful statement, he emphasizes the pronoun as much as
    or more than the rest of the sentence.
    • Words may be garbled and spoken softly, and syntax and grammar may be off. In other
    words, his sentences will likely be muddled rather than emphasized.
    • Statements sound an awful lot like questions, indicating that he’s seeking reassurance. Voice,
    head and eyes lift at the end of their statement.
    Section 6: Psychological Profile
    • We often see the world as a reflection of ourselves. If you’re being accused of something,
    check your accuser’s veracity. Watch out for those people who are always telling you just
    how corrupt the rest of the world is. Beware of those asking you if you believe him. They
    may respond with, “you don’t believe me, do you?” Most people who tell the truth expect to
    be believed.
    • Look at whether his focus is internal or external. When a person is confident about what he’s
    saying, he’s more interested in your understanding him and less interested in how he appears
    to you.
    • In a liar’s story, he will usually not give the point of view of a third party. To illustrate giving
    a point of view of someone else, “My roommate was so shocked that I would…”
    • In relating a story, a liar often leaves out the negative aspects (unless the story is used to
    explain way he was delayed or had to cancel plans). The story of a vacation, for example,
    should have both positive and negative aspects of what happened.
    • A liar willingly answers your questions but asks none of his own. For example, during their
    first intimate encounter, Randy asks his new girlfriend if she’s ever been tested for AIDS.
    She responds with “Oh, yes, certainly,” and continues on a bit about annual checkups, giving
    blood, etc. And then nothing! If she was concerned about her health, as her answer implied,
    then she would have asked him the same question. The liar is often unaware that coming
    across as truthful means both answering and asking questions.
    Section 7: General Indications of Deceit
    • When the subject is changed, he’s in a better, more relaxed mood. The guilty wants the
    subject changed; the innocent always wants a further exchange of information.
    • He does not become indignant when falsely accused. While he is being accused the liar will
    remain fairly expressionless. The liar is more concerned with how he is going to respond than
    he is with the accusation itself.
    • He uses such phrases as “To tell you the truth,” “To be perfectly honest,” and “Why would I
    lie to you?”
    • He has an answer to your question down pat, such as giving precise detail to an event
    occurring two months ago.
    • He stalls by asking you to