VERBAL CUES IN INTERVIEW AND INTERROGATION 

Verbal cues are subtle yet revealing spoken indicators—words, phrases, or expressions—that suspects use, often unknowingly, during an interview or interrogation. Even though suspects may not realize it, the way they speak can give investigators clues about whether they are being truthful or deceptive. These cues are best studied through a structured and scientific method called the Forensic Assessment Interview Technique (FAINT).

THE FAINT METHOD AND VERBAL CUE ANALYSIS: FAINT looks at two things at the same time:

  1. Verbal behavior – how a person speaks, the tone, and the choice of words.
  2. Nonverbal behavior – posture, gestures, and facial expressions.

To properly assess verbal cues, suspects are asked three types of questions:

  1. Projective questions (open-ended, to see how they project their thoughts).
  2. Relevant questions (directly related to the case).
  3. Comparison questions (to compare consistency).

It is important that every suspect is asked the same set of questions in the same order. This makes the answers easier to compare and helps ensure fairness and reliability.


VERBAL CUES: TRUTHFUL VS. DECEPTIVE SUSPECTS

Truthful suspects usually:

  • Speak openly and cooperate.
  • Use clear and strong terms.
  • Admit that they may have had the opportunity.
  • Try to help the investigation.
  • Show real emotions.
  • Keep their story consistent.

Deceptive suspects often:

  • Use vague or evasive language.
  • Speak less and avoid detail.
  • Give little or no useful information.
  • Try to make the investigation bigger than it is.
  • Use “personal coding” (phrases or tricks) to avoid admitting guilt.
  • Change their story when under pressure.

Examples of Projective Questions and Responses:

  • “This investigation is about…” 
    Truthful: “It’s about the stolen laptop from the office. I know about it.” 
    Deceptive: “I’m not really sure… I just came in like everyone else.”
  • “Why do you think you were selected to be interviewed?” 
    Truthful: “Because I had access to the room, I guess.” 
    Deceptive: “Everyone is being questioned.”


THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND VERBAL CUES:

The difference between truthful and deceptive suspects lies in their motivation. Truthful suspects want to prove their innocence and help the investigator. Deceptive suspects want to hide the truth and hope the investigator fails.

Because of this: Truthful people talk more freely, logically, and naturally. Deceptive people talk less, choose their words carefully, and avoid giving solid answers.


Interpretation Requires a Global Approach:
Not all truthful suspects will sound truthful all the time, and not all deceptive suspects will sound deceptive all the time. This is why investigators must look for overall patterns.

The most effective assessment comes from combining verbal cues with nonverbal behaviors and emotional reactions. This complete or “global approach” makes it easier to understand the suspect’s truthfulness.


NON-VERBAL CUES IN INTERVIEW AND INTERROGATION 

Nonverbal cues refer to body language, facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye movements, and physiological reactions that reveal underlying truthfulness or deception during an interview or interrogation. These cues often emerge unconsciously and can be more revealing than words.


FAINT MODEL’S CLASSIFICATION OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR: The Forensic Assessment Interview Technique (FAINT) groups nonverbal behavior into three main types:

  1. Emblems – Clear, culture-based gestures such as giving a thumbs up.
  2. Illustrators – Gestures that support what is being said, such as touching the chest while saying, “I didn’t do it!”
  3. Adaptors – Nervous or self-comforting behaviors, such as covering the mouth.

In general:

  • More illustrators = more likely to be truthful.
  • More adaptors = more likely to be deceptive.

EYE CUES (NEUROLINGUISTIC INDICATORS): Eye movements can give insight into whether a person is recalling or creating information:

  • Up and Left → Visual Recall (likely truthful memory).
  • Up and Right → Visual Construction (possibly fabricated).
  • Straight Down → Confusion or inability to recall.
  • Down and Right → Emotional/Kinesthetic response (may suggest guilt or readiness to confess).

COMMON NONVERBAL DECEPTION SIGNALS: Some behaviors often linked with deception include:

  • Shrugging shoulders → Denial or helplessness.
  • Touching the nose → Suspicion or self-protection.
  • Covering the face → Shame or deceit.
  • Foot tapping → Irritation or anxiety.
  • Crossing arms or legs → Defensiveness.

SURRENDER AND SUBMISSION SIGNS: When a suspect is close to confessing, they may show behaviors linked to submission, such as:

  • Suddenly uncrossing arms or legs.
  • Lowering the head or exposing the neck.
  • Opening their palms.
  • Leaning forward in a cooperative posture.

CLUSTERS OF NONVERBAL BEHAVIOR: Investigators are advised not to rely on just one cue. Instead, they should look for clusters—two or more nonverbal actions at the same time. When such clusters repeat, the chance of deception increases.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ROOTS: Nonverbal behaviors are both natural and learned. Many gestures and expressions appear even in people who are blind from birth. Research has also found that some nonverbal actions, like yawning or blinking, begin even before birth in the womb.