Statement Analysis - Woo?

[Pacal]

Recently i've heard about a "Science" called Statement Analysis which purports to find out if a person is being deceptive, lying etc., by analyzing their statements. From what I've read on the web it seems that this is fairly dubious. Also it appears that controled double-binded studies have not been conducted to test the veracity of this method. Alos it is being taught in all sorts of places teaching Law enforcement.

What do you guys think about it?

 

[dlorde]

It could work:

"Sir, he's stating that 2 + 2 = 5!"
"Hmm, get the Statement Analyst to analyse that statement - we'll soon know if he's lying..."

I dunno - is this anything like voice stress analysis?

 

[MatildaGage]

1 part logic, 1 part woo, 3 parts guesswork, in my estimation.
http://www.statementanalysis.com/ramseynote/

 

[William Parcher]

Older JREF thread on this topic.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

If only this worked well, Forum Mafia games would be so much easier. (We do play Forum Maifa on JREF in the Community section.)

 

[Emet]

From the Skeptic's Dictionary:

There is very little scientific research into statement analysis.
(...)
Apparently the only thing scientific about Scientific Interrogation and Scientific Content Analysis is in the names. That could change, but until the Undeutsch Hypothesis becomes the Undeutsch Law, I'll remain skeptical. Until there are large-scale double-blinded studies that validate some of the claims made for the power, accuracy, and utility of statement analysis, law enforcement should approach this technique with caution.

http://www.skepdic.com/statementanalysis.html

 

[Beerina]

These kinds of things may have some applicability in a placebo-effect sort of way, by making the testees think da jig is up! I like to think that's why the FBI use these things still, even knowing they don't really work.


It's kind of like rude immigration officials getting all in your face -- they're not lackeys getting a kick out of power given to them by a dictator, but rather trying to fluster you, according to a script, into making a mistake and admitting something.

 

[Pacal]

Older JREF thread on this topic.

Thanks