Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND DECEPTION DETECTION

MARK G. FRANK AND MELISSA A. MENASCO

University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York

MAUREEN O'SULLIVAN

University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California

1 INTRODUCTION

Terrorism at its core is a human endeavor. Human beings cultivate what they hate, plan, and then execute terrorist attacks. Thus, any information that can aid the intelligence or security officer to weigh the veracity of the information he or she obtains from suspected terrorists or those harboring them would help prevent attacks. This would then not only add another layer to force protection but would facilitate future intelligence gathering. Yet the face-to-face gathering of information through suspected terrorists, informants, or witnesses is replete with obstacles that affect its accuracy such as the well-documented shortcomings of human memory, honest differences of opinion, as well as what is the focus of this article—outright deception [1].

The evidence suggests that in day-to-day life most lies are betrayed by factors or circumstances surrounding the lie, and not by behavior [2]. However, there are times when demeanor is all a Homeland security agent has at his or her disposal to detect someone who is lying about his or her current actions or future intent. Because a lie involves a deliberate, conscious behavior, we can speculate that this effort may leave some trace, sign, or signal that may betray that lie. What interests the scientist, ...