posted 05-12-2005 04:40 AM            

I was called by a sales person from a uk company called Network Interception Ltd. the company is marketing a "Lie Detector" system called the silent talker. It apparently studies facial movements whilst a person is asked questions. They are claiming 87% accuracy rates. In previous press releases they claim to be testing the system with police departments in the UK?, I cannot confirm if this is true but I would be surprised.

This system was apparently invented by a team at the Manchester Metropolitan University as part of a research study.

If anyone is interested in looking at the website it is at:
http://www.networkinterception.co.uk/

There is also an interview you can listen to on the site, which was taken from a BBC radio programme where the creator of the system gives some more info. It sounds un-convincing to me (as you guy's would say it is BS) but I was interested on your thoughts.

posted 05-12-2005 05:43 AM            

All of the stuff I have seen on this is theory and I doubt very much it would be practical in the real world and the validity of it is suspect.

posted 05-12-2005 07:52 AM            

What Ekman says (in short) is that the emotion one is feeling makes it to the face before a person even realizes what he is feeling. Once a person realizes his expressions (non-verbal behavior) is leaking out, he quickly takes control of it and stops the full expression or masks it, usually with a smile. The "leaks" last only a 1/5 to 1/25th of a second.

What Ekman looks for is an incongruity in what one is claiming and what one's facial expressions - which are more reliable - are saying. Any difference is viewed as suspect and in need of further inquiry.

He also looks at other micro-expressions, such as shoulder shrugs, as indicators of a lack of committment. (What you see is a slight lift of one shoulder in a fraction of a second - the start of the "I don't know" or "I'm feeling helpless" expression.)

I was suspect at first, but with one CD you can learn to identify the micro-facial expressions in about an hour, so it doesn't take long. He's been teaching law enforcement for years, and they go from chance to about 85% accuracy in a short time.

For a really good explaination, read his very inexpensive book, "Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage." His new book, "Emotions Revealed" is also good.

Here's his web page:
http://www.paulekman.com/

As you can see, I think very highly of Paul and his work.