NCJ Number
81026
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1982) Pages: 53,55-56,58
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Law enforcement officers are introduced to the interpretation of nonverbal behavior, i.e. body language, as a transmitter of stress and deception signals.
Abstract
It is contended that the manner in which a person reacts with his body is the best indicator of whether or not he is telling the truth or withholding information. The face is the least likely indicator of deception because street-wise suspects have learned to control their facial expressions. Two types of body language functions are distinguished -- illustrators and self-adaptors. The former are hand gestures used as a normal part of physically conveying information. Self-adaptors are behaviors that indicate the onset of stress and anxiety and are what the investigator should be highly aware of while interrogating a suspect. Typical examples are facial play and gestures which aid or block sound-making and speech; block sensory input; cleanse or groom, or modify the body and face; perform ingestive or excretory functions; and perform autoerotic behavior. A skilled investigator should devote the first 5 minutes of an interview to background questions or general conversation. This establishes a basis for comparing an individual's illustrators to his self-adaptors, which set in once case facts and brought in and stress and anxiety begin. When a seated subject is well aware that he is being monitored and may be attempting to control himself, the movement of the feet and legs may well disclose pertinent information to the investigator. The ability to read nonverbal behavior is aided by psychological understanding, interview and interrogation experience, a knowledge of kinesiology, and an understanding that research in the area is incomplete.