A few ways to tell if someone is lying

Several clues prove a lie

  • Explanation that’s far to long for the event.

  • Difficulty looking you straight in the eyes. The eyes can glance downward or sideways.

  • Sudden changes in  facial expression that don’t match the situation.

  • A facial expression such as a smile—that is held beyond a reasonable period of time. Most honest expressions last about five seconds, any longer they are likely to be contrived to deceive you.

  • A false smile. When a smile is genuine, the skin below the eyes crinkles slightly and tiny wrinkles appear around the eyes. They can not be conjured up during a false smile. So watch the eyes not the smile.

  • Halting speech patterns.  These include long or frequent pauses, hesitation before the person answers a question, clearing of the throat  or slight stuttering.

  • Changes in voice tone and volume. “Telling a lie evokes unconscious anxiety, guilt and fear of getting caught. The brain transmits these to the voice, causing it to get higher and become louder and faster.

  • Body signals could be perspiration on upper lip or  around the face.

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