The missing link in training to detect deception and its implications for justice

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of response bias and target gender on detecting dection. Design/ methodology -Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: a stereotype condition (bogus training group), a tell-signs condition (empirically tested cues), and a control condition. Participants were required to decide whether eight targets were lying or telling the truth, based upon the information they had been given. Accuracy was measured via a correct or incorrect response to the stimuli. The data was then analyzed using a 2x2x3 mixed Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine whether any main or interactional effects were present. Results -Results revealed training condition had no significant effect on accuracy, nor was there a within-subjects effect of gender. However, there was a significant main effect of accuracy in detecting truth or lies and a significant interaction between target gender and detecting truth or lies.Research limitations -Future research should seek a larger sample of participants with a more extensive training aspect developed into the study, as the brief training offered here may not be fully reflective of the extent and intencity of training which could be offered to professionals. Practical Implications -Within the criminal justice system, the need for increased accuracy in detecting deception is of critical importance; not only to detect whether a guilty individual is being deceitful, but also whether someone is making a false confession, both to improve community safety by detaining the correct perpetrator for the crime but also to maintain public trust in the justice system.

Exploring the relationship between psychopathy and criminal thinking: utilising the Tri-PM within a forensic sample

“…Within an occupational setting, psychopathy has been found to predict lower work-related success (Eisenbarth et al , 2022). Such measures could also be used to assess employees’ risks of developing maladaptive thinking styles analogous with transgressive behaviour – however, a limitation of this application is that it is generally difficult to detect deceptive responses (Ryan et al , 2018). These practical implications are, however, accompanied with the caveat that they rest on the pretence that psychopathy plays a causal role in the formation of criminal thinking style, which cannot be confirmed through cross-sectional data alone.…”

An examination of stigmatising attributions about mental illness amongst police custody staff

“…It is human nature to want to project oneself in a positive way, but there is more pressure to do this within a highly imperative role in society, such as the police. Due to the apparent difficulties in detecting truthfulness (Ryan, Sherretts, Willmott, Mojtahedi, & Baughman, 2018) it may be possible that some participants may have not completed the questionnaire with their true feelings and attitudes towards mental illness.…”

Intelligence, Authority and Blame Conformity: Co-witness Influence Is Moderated by the Perceived Competence of the Information Source

“…Eyewitnesses will not always conform to their co-witnesses. The probability of accepting conflicting information is heavily dependent on the source from which the information comes from (Hope et al 2008;Kwong See et al 2001;Lampinen and Smith 1995;Ryan et al 2018;Smith and Ellsworth 1987). Research indicates that the social characteristics of an information source can have an effect on how influential they are towards others (Betz et al 1996;Forgas and Williams 2001).…”