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NEVER BE LIED TO AGAIN
Author : David J Lieberman. Published by St Martin's Press.
ISBN 0-965-068926.
Reviewed by ANDY BLACKWELL
Getting the truth in five minutes or less in any conversation or situation is one skill no doubt all professional investigators would dearly love to perfect. David J Lieberman, a specialist in the field of human behaviour (who is also a board-certified hypnotherapist with a Ph.D. in psychology) makes this claim in his fascinating book, 'Never Be Lied To Again'.
David focuses on the truth and how to get at it. His book is divided into eight parts, each of which explores in depth a facet of lying. The author claims that the techniques mentioned in the book will assist you to discover whether you're being lied to.
The author commences his work by explaining that there are at least forty-six clues to deception. Whilst some of these involve the fundamentals of body language, others use more advanced techniques and processes such as psycholinguistic emphasis and neural choice perception.
A specific game plan to detect deceit is also provided and involves the reader choosing from a variety of scripted sequences, each from a different psychological angle. Each script provides a primer, attack sequence, and 'silver bullets' (techniques designed to obtain a confession).
Tactics for detecting deceit and gathering information in casual conversations are also given. These are useful when you believe that someone is lying to you but circumstances preclude a full interrogation.
A section entitled 'Mind Games' includes details of two simple techniques that the author claims provide 'extraordinary' results. The first technique shows you how to avoid being lied to in the first place, whilst the second teaches you how to find a person's true intention in any situation.
Lieberman provides a 'Ten Commandments of Human Behaviour' as a means of demonstrating to the reader how the brain processes information. An understanding of which, he claims, will enable us to influence anyone to tell the truth.
Not only are lie-detection methods admirably explained in this book, but also the internal truth blockers that can interfere with, or even completely block our ability to detect deceit.
The advanced techniques described in the book are based on a blend of hypnosis and 'Trance Scripts' developed by Lieberman, and are intended to be used in situations where the interviewer is trying to persuade the 'subject' to tell the truth.
Investigators practising in the U.K. need to ensure that any actions they take are not deemed to be oppressive or 'unfair', as this may render evidence inadmissible in criminal proceedings. Forensic hypnosis is strictly controlled in the U.K., therefore the use of some of the advanced techniques mentioned in Lieberman's book is unlikely to meet the British Home Office Guidelines on the subject.
The author sensibly includes the following warning to readers: 'To those in law enforcement : make sure that you check appropriate federal and state laws regarding both interviewing and interrogation. Those in the private sector must use common sense when using the system'.
Lieberman's book is the 'Swiss Army Knife' of Lie Detection Techniques for investigators, a fascinating insight into human behaviour at its worst. Whilst local laws may preclude the use of some of the methods described in the book, others can be used quite freely and will no doubt be particularly useful for professional investigators.