British group unveils facial reading lie-detector

The new system records subtle clues that people give off when lying, such as increased blood flow around the eyes, tiny lip movements or nose twitching. All of these bits of information are then fed into the computer which uses an algorithm based on the work of psychologists Paul Ekman and Walter Friesen, to give an educated guess as to whether the person being analyzed is lying.

One of the major selling points of such technology would be its use in situations where the person being targeted doesn’t know they are being tested, something that traditional polygraph lie-detectors can’t do. Because the research has been backed by the UKs Border Agency, the technology will most likely be used to screen passengers at airports, and in fact, the team is currently working with government and security officials to begin testing at an unspecified UK airport in the near future.

Because the tests were done with volunteers who not only knew they were being tested, but were asked to lie when answering mundane questions, Ugail believes the system will prove to be far more accurate when used in real life situations. But he also believes that as more research is done and more variables are added to the algorithm, that the system will one day prove to be as reliable as current lie-detectors, which experts believe are about 90% accurate.

Ugail also acknowledges that no lie-detector can be 100% accurate as none of them actually detect lying; instead they rely on cues to make educated guesses. Though he adds that the more tools law enforcement has at its disposal, the better chance they will have of catching those with ill intent.

If the new system proves to be as reliable as Ugail hopes, it might make us all safer, but it might also lead to other less noble purposes, such as employers using it in job interviews or by news people in real-time interviews, which some might construe as an invasion of privacy.

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