Teaching Professionals to Detect Deception: The Efficacy of a Brief Training Workshop

• NCJ Number: 239113
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: January-February 2012 Pages: 68-80
• Author(s): Lori H. Colwell, Ph.D.; Kevin Colwell, Ph.D.; Cheryl K. Hiscock-Anisman, Ph.D.; Maria Hartwig, Ph.D.; Lindsay Cole, M.A.; Katheryn Werdin, M.A.; Kimberly Youschak, B.A.
• Date Published: February 2012
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study tested the efficacy of a 2.5-hour training workshop on Assessment Criteria Indicative of Deception (ACID).

Abstract

Despite the importance of credibility assessments in forensic settings, research shows that forensic professionals are mediocre at this task. This study tested the efficacy of a 2.5-hour training workshop on Assessment Criteria Indicative of Deception (ACID), a system of investigative interviewing and credibility assessment using verbal content analysis, in a sample of 99 forensic professionals at a maximum-security forensic hospital in the United States. Accuracy in detecting deception was assessed before and after training via written transcripts. Results showed that training improved participants' accuracy, with accuracy rates increasing from 61 percent to 70 percent. Implications of the findings and recommendations for future research are discussed. (Published Abstract)