Lie-detection tip: Check their comfort level

Sweating. Fidgeting. Eyes darting everywhere with apprehension. This is the stereotype of a person who is guilty in a crime movie. But the reality is that in some cases, it’s true. Possible indications of someone lying can manifest as feeling uneasy and nervous.

With lie detection, we’re specifically looking for when it doesn’t make sense for someone to be anxious if they’re telling the truth, but their body language gives away their distress. For instance, it makes sense for someone to be uneasy in a police interrogation room, even if they’re not lying.

But the same can’t be said for a friend when you’re having a conversation over lunch. On the other hand, experienced liars (which is a sign of a psychopath, by the way) might be able to correct for their nervousness. So this lie-detection tip may be a tell only in someone who doesn’t frequently lie.