SPOTTING LIES IS HARD – BUT THIS NEW METHOD IS EFFECTIVE ANDETHICAL

Reading time: 3,5 minutes

Most of us occasionally tell harmless lies, but in criminal investigations, where stakes are high, these lies can cause big harm. Traditional lie detectors, like polygraphs, have long been criticized for their unreliability. But what if there was a better way? A new study introduces
the AIM-method, a new way of detecting lies that increases accuracy and also is ethically sound.

Polygraphs are lie detectors often used in criminal investigations. They measure the anxiety levels of individuals to determine their truthfulness. However, these methods are not reliable because anxiety does not necessarily equate to guilt. For instance, when a traveler is
questioned by customs officials their nervousness might be a consequence of fear of authority rather than lying. Because of the limitations of the polygraphs, researchers have developed a new approach that focuses on the mental processes and strategies used by individuals during interviews, since truth-tellers and liars think and behave differently when responding to questions. By identifying these differences, it becomes possible to detect deception more accurately.

The Asymmetric Information Management (AIM) technique was developed by Porter et al. (2020). It is a new technique where suspects are informed that detailed answers will help investigators determine their truthfulness. For truth-tellers, this is beneficial as they can
provide more information to prove their innocence. Liars on the other hand, tend to withhold information, since they fear that more details could expose their lies. The difference in number of details is measured and the truthfulness is based on these results. To test the AIM technique, researchers conducted an experiment with 104 participants. Each participant was assigned secret missions at a university. After completing their missions, participants were told that there had been a data leak and that they were suspects. Half of the participants were instructed to tell the truth about their mission to prove their innocence. The other half were told to tell a cover story to hide their involvement in the secret mission. Interviews were then conducted using the AIM technique in half of the cases. When the AIM technique was employed, lie-detection accuracy increased from 48% to 81%. Truth-tellers provided more detailed information, making it easier for interviewers to detect lies.

A challenge with the AIM technique is the fact that it can be challenging to remember detailed information for truth-tellers. To address this, Porter et al. (2020) suggests that memory aids, known as mnemonics, can be used together with the AIM technique. These tools can help individuals remember more details. For example, if a witness to a robbery struggles to recall detailed information, an investigator might use a mnemonic by asking the witness to imagine the events from another person’s viewpoint, such as a police officer, where
new details surface.

One of the most significant advantages of the AIM technique is the fact that it is ethical. While traditional methods can be harsh and stress-inducing, the AIM approach focuses only on gathering information.

Two recent studies from Porter and his team, both published in 2023, show less promising results. In the first study, the lies in the group investigated with the AIM-technique were correctly identified with a 72% accuracy in comparison to 59% for the control group (Porter
et al. 2023). In this study the accuracy is lower in comparison to their original findings. Moreover, the second study by Porter et al. (2023) found no significant difference in the number of details told by the liars when comparing the group using the AIM-method to the control group. Nevertheless, the researchers found a difference in the number of details told by the truth-tellers, which still made it possible to detect the lies correctly. Because of conflicting results, more research is needed to be sure of the accuracy of this technique.

Detecting lies has always been a challenging task, but new methods like the AIM technique suggests a promising solution. By focusing on detailed information and cognitive differences between truth-tellers and liars, this approach significantly increases the accuracy of lie-detection. With ongoing research and used together with mnemonics, this new technique might improve lie detection.

By Vita Jamila Keil
keil.jamila@gmail.com

Bibliography

Porter, C. N., Morrison, E., Fitzgerald, R. J., Taylor, R., Harvey, A. C. (2020). Lie-detection
by strategy manipulation: developing an asymmetric information management (AIM)
technique, Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 9(2), 232-241.
Porter, C. N., Morrison, E., Harvey, A., Taylor, R. (2023). Complications and consistency:
investigating the asymmetric information management ‘AIM’ technique with follow-up
statements, Psychology, Crime and Law, 1-23.
Porter, C. N., Taylor, R., Lee, R., Chioatto, E., Hill, M., Harvey, A. C. (2023). Applying the
asymmetric information management (AIM) technique to virtual interviewing, Applied
Cognitive Psychology, 37(3), 470-479.