How to detect lie

2. Typically, in a person who is lying, his or her micro-expression will
be an emotion of distress, characterized by the eyebrows being drawn
upwards towards the middle of the forehead, causing short lines to
appear across the skin of the forehead.

3. People tend to touch the nose more when lying and a great deal less when
telling the truth. This is perhaps due to a rush of adrenaline to the capillaries in
the nose, causing the nose to itch. A lying person is more likely to cover his or
her mouth with a hand or to place the hands near the mouth, almost as if to
cover the lies coming forth.

4. Notice the person's eye movements.
You can usually tell if a person is remembering
something or making something up based on eye
movements. When people remember details, their
eyes move to the left if they are right-handed.
When right-handed people make something up,
their eyes move to the right. The reverse is true of
left-handed people. People also tend to blink more
rapidly ("eye flutter") as they're telling a lie. More
common in men than in women, another tell of a
lie can be rubbing the eyes.

5. Medical Lecture Notes – All Subjects
USMLE Exam (America) – Practice

6. People tend to sweat more when they lie. Actually, measuring sweat is one
of the ways that the polygraph test (the "lie detector" in all the movies)
determines a lie. But taken on its own, this is not always a reliable
indication of lying. Some people may sweat a lot more just because of
nervousness, shyness or a condition that causes the person to sweat more
than normal.

7. A sign that someone is lying is that they fidget, either with their
own body or with random things around them. Fidgeting results
from nervous energy produced by a fear of being found out. In
order to release the nervous energy, liars often fidget with a chair,
a handkerchief, or a part of their body.

8. A person may constantly be trying to lubricate their throat when they lie by
swallowing, gulping or clearing their throat. Lying causes their body to
increase production of adrenaline, which gets their saliva pumping and then
creates very little. While the saliva is surging, the subject might be gulping it
down. When the saliva is no longer surging, the subject might be clearing their
throat.

9. A person's voice can be a good lie indicator. He or she may
suddenly start talking faster or slower than normal, or the tension
may result in a higher-pitched or quavering tone.

10. Pay close attention to the person's reaction to your questions. Someone who has
told the truth doesn't feel much need to defend themselves, well, because they're
telling the truth. Someone who hasn't told the truth needs to compensate for their
lie by perhaps going on the offensive, deflecting, or another stalling tactic.

11. Notice when the person repeats sentences. If the suspect uses almost the exact
same words over and over, then it's probably a lie. When a person makes up a lie,
he or she often tries to remember a certain phrase or sentence that sounds
convincing. When asked to explain the situation again, the liar will use the very
same "convincing" sentence again.

12. Look at the big picture.

13. Stare at the alleged liar with a look of disbelief. If the person is lying, he or she
will soon become uncomfortable. If the person is telling the truth, he or she
will often become angry or just frustrated (lips pressed together, brows down,
upper eyelid tensed and pulled down to glare).

14. How to read body language?

15. Eyes
Signal Possible
meaning(s)
Detailed explanation
looking right
(generally)
creating, fabricating,
guessing, lying,
storytelling
Creating here is basically making things up and saying
them. Depending on context this can indicate lying, but in
other circumstances, for example, storytelling to a child, this
would be perfectly normal.
looking left (generally) recalling,
remembering,
retrieving 'facts'
Recalling and then stating 'facts' from memory in
appropriate context often equates to telling the truth.
Whether the 'facts' (memories) are correct is another matter.
direct eye contact
(when speaking)
honesty - or faked
honesty
Direct eye contact is generally regarded as a sign of
truthfulness, however practised liars know this and will fake
the signal.
direct eye contact
(when listening)
attentiveness,
interest, attraction
Eyes which stay focused on the speakers eyes, tend to
indicate focused interested attention too, which is normally
a sign of attraction to the person and/or the subject.
rubbing eye or eyes disbelief, upset, or
tiredness
Rubbing eyes or one eye can indicate disbelief, as if
checking the vision, or upset, in which the action relates to
crying, or tiredness, which can be due boredom, not
necessarily a need for sleep.
blinking frequently excitement, pressure Normal human blink rate is considered to be between six
and twenty times a minute, depending on the expert. Blink
rate is not a reliable sign of lying.

16. Signal Possible
meaning(s)
Detailed explanation
pasted
smile
faked smile A pasted smile is one which appears quickly, is fixed for longer than a natural smile,
and seems not to extend to the eyes. This typically indicates suppressed displeasure
or forced agreement of some sort.
laughter relaxation In terms of body language genuine laughter is a sign of relaxation and feeling at
ease. The physiology of laughter is significant. Endorphins are released. Pain and
stress reduces. Also vulnerabilities show and can become more visible because
people's guard drops when laughing.
forced
laughter
nervousness,
cooperation
Unnatural laughter is often a signal of nervousness or stress, as an effort to dispel
tension or change the atmosphere. Artificial laughter is a signal of cooperation and a
wish to maintain empathy.
teeth
grinding
tension,
suppression
Inwardly-directed 'displacement' sign, due to suppression of natural reaction due to
fear or other suppressant.
chewing
gum
tension,
suppression
As above - an inwardly-directed 'displacement' sign, due to suppression of natural
reaction. Otherwise however can simply be to freshen breath, or as a smoking
replacement.
smoking self-
comforting
Smoking obviously becomes habitual and addictive, but aside from this people put
things into their mouths because it's comforting like thumb-sucking is to a child, in
turn rooted in baby experiences of feeding and especially breastfeeding.
chewing
pen/pencil
self-
comforting
Like smoking and infant thumbsucking. The pen is the teat. Remember that next time
you chew the end of your pen...
Mouth

17. Head
Signal Possible
meaning(s)
Detailed explanation
head held high superiority,
fearlessness,
arrogance
Especially if exhibited with jutting chin.
head tilted
downward
criticism,
admonishment
Head tilted downwards towards a person is
commonly a signal of criticism or reprimand or
disapproval, usually from a position of authority.
chin up pride, defiance,
confidence
Very similar to the 'head held high' signal. Holding
the chin up naturally alters the angle of the head
backwards, exposing the neck, which is a signal of
strength, resilience, pride, resistance, etc.

18. Arms
Signal Possible
meaning(s)
Detailed explanation
crossed arms (folded
arms)
defensiveness,
reluctance
Crossed arms represent a protective or separating
barrier. People also cross arms when they are feeling
cold, so be careful not to misread this signal.
crossed arms with
clenched fists
hostile
defensiveness
Clenched fists reinforce stubbornness, aggression or
the lack of empathy indicated by crossed arms.
one arm across body
clasping other arm by
side (female)
nervousness Women use this gesture. Men tend not to. It's a 'barrier'
protective signal, and also self-hugging.
handbag held in front
of body(female)
nervousness Another 'barrier' protective signal.
arms/hands covering
genital region (male)
nervousness Another 'barrier' protective signal.

19. Hands
Signal Possible
meaning(s)
Detailed explanation
palm(s) up or
open
submissive,
truthful, honesty,
appealing
Said to evolve from when open upward palms showed no
weapon was held. An easily faked gesture to convey
innocence.
palm(s) up,
fingers
pointing up
defensive,
instruction to
stop
Relaxed hands are more likely to be defensive as if offered up
in protection; rigid fingers indicates a more authoritative
instruction or request to stop whatever behaviour is promoting
the reaction.
hand(s) on
heart (left side
of chest)
seeking to be
believed
Although easy to fake, the underlying meaning is one of
wanting to be believed, whether being truthful or not.
clenched fist(s) resistance,
aggression,
determination
One or two clenched fists can indicate different feelings -
defensive, offensive, positive or negative, depending on
context and other signals.
palms down
moving up and
down, fingers
spread
seeking or asking
for calm, loss of
control of a
group or situation
Seen often in rowdy meetings the gesture is typically a few
inches above the table top, but is also seen standing up. The
action is one of suppressing or holding down a rising pressure.
Teachers use this gesture when trying to quieten a class.

20. Hands
Signal Possible
meaning(s)
Detailed explanation
touching/
scratching
nose
lying or
exaggeration
This is said to hide the reddening of the nose caused by increased
blood flow. Can also indicate mild embellishment or fabrication.
hand
stroking
chin
thoughtfulnes
s
The stroking of a beard is a similar signal, although rare among
women.
hand
supporting
chin or side
of face
evaluation,
tiredness or
boredom
Usually the forearm is vertical from the supporting elbow on a table.
People who display this signal are commonly assessing or evaluating
next actions, options, or reactions to something or someone.
neck
scratching
doubt,
disbelief
Perhaps evolved from a feeling of distrust and instinct to protect the
vulnerable neck area.
running
hands
through hair
flirting, or
vexation,
exasperation
Take your pick - running hands through the hair is commonly
associated with flirting, and sometimes it is indicate exasperation or
upset.
hand(s) on
hip(s).
confidence,
readiness,
The person is emphasizing their presence and readiness for action. In
social and flirting context it is said that the hands are drawing

21. Handshake
Signal Possible
meaning(s)
Detailed explanation
handshake -
palm down
dominance Usually a firm handshake, the 'upper hand' tends to impose
and/or create a dominant impression.
handshake -
palm up
submission,
accommodating
Usually not a strong handshake, the lower hand has submitted
to the upper hand dominance.
handshake -
both hands
seeking to convey
trustworthiness and
honesty, control
Whether genuine or not, this handshake is unduly physical and
(often) uncomfortably domineering.
weak
handshake
various People who use their hands in their profession, for example,
musicians, artists, surgeons, etc., can have quite gentle sensitive
handshakes. Strong but passive people can have gentle
handshakes. Young people unaccustomed to handshaking can
have weak handshakes.
firm
handshake
outward confidence Firm handshakes are a sign of outward confidence, which could
mask deceit or a weak bullying nature, or indicate a strong solid
person.

22. Legs and feet
Signal Meaning(s) Detailed explanation
leg direction,
sitting - general
interest,
attentiveness
(according to
direction)
Generally a seated person directs their knee or knees towards
the point of interest. Legs tend to point away from something
or someone which is uninteresting or threatening. The rule
applies with crossed legs also/
uncrossed legs,
sitting
openness In sitting positions, open uncrossed leg positions generally
indicate an open attitude.
parallel legs
together,
sitting(mainly
female)
properness This unusual in men, especially if the knees point an angle
other than straight ahead. The posture was common in women
due to upbringing and clothing and indicates a sense of
properness.
crossed legs,
sitting
caution,
disinterest
Crossed legs tend to indicate a degree of caution or disinterest,
which can be due to various reasons, ranging from feeling
threatened, to mildly insecure.
legs
intertwined,
sitting (female)
insecurity or
sexual posing
Depending on the circumstances the leg twine can either be a
sign of retreat and protection, or a sexual display of leg
shapeliness, since a tight leg-cross tends to emphasize muscle
and tone.
shoe- relaxation, A woman would usually be relaxed to display this. In some

23. eye catch and look away - establishing eye contact then looking away or down is said by many
experts to be the standard initial signal of interest designed to hook male reaction.
eye-widening - interest, simultaneously increasing attractiveness/appeal.
looking sideways up - lowering head, slightly sideways, and looking up, with eyelashes
normally slightly lowered - displays interest and vulnerability/coyness.
shoulder glance - looking sideways towards the target over the shoulder signals availability, and
hence interest.
smiling - obvious sign of welcoming and friendliness.
moistening lips - lips are significant in signalling because (psychologists say) they mimic the
female labia, hence the potency of red lipstick (suggesting increased blood flow) and
moistening/licking the lips.
parted lips - significant and potent attraction signal.
preening - especially of hair, which exposes the soft underarm.
flicking hair - often combined with a slight tossing movement of the head.
self-touching - drawing attention to sexually appealing parts of the body; neck, hair, cleavage,
thigh, etc. - demonstration of what it would be like for the target to do the touching; teasing in
other words.
leg twine - a tight-leg cross 'aimed' (combined with eye contact) at a target, or when sitting one-
to-one, increases sexual allure since it emphasises leg shape and tone.
fondling cylindrical objects - phallic transference, for instance using pens, a dangling earring, a
wine glass stem, etc.
Female indications of interest in a
male

24. Male indications of interest in a female
posturing - erect stance, chest out, shoulders back, stomach in.
cowboy stance - thumbs in belt loops, fingers pointing to genital area.
hands in pockets - thumbs out and pointing to genitals.
room scanning - males who are available and looking for females tend to scan the
room, partly to look for available females, but also to indicate they are available
themselves.
dress - clothing: style, fit, cleanliness, etc - is all an extension of personality and is
therefore part of body language.
tattoos/body piercings - they are decorative, and also (in evolutionary terms)
suggested strength and machismo, since the process of obtaining them was painful and
even life-threatening.
dancing - dancing, in a suitable place of course, has for thousands of years been an
opportunity for males and females to display their physical and sexual potential. With
the exception perhaps of pogo-ing and head-banging most dance styles replicate sexual
movements - lots of rhythmic hip and leg work, contorted facial expressions, sweating
and occasional grunting, etc. For those blessed with a level of coordination dancing
offers an effective way of attracting attention, especially in crowded competitive
situations. For the less rhythmic, the lesson is to find a different environment.