Developing an Asymmetric Information Management (AIM) Technique

Detecting deception is difficult and research shows that liars can, when prompted, provide more detailed statements. As such, interview protocols to improve lie-detection should encourage forthcoming verbal strategies from truth tellers, while encouraging withholding verbal strategies from liars.

We propose a new technique designed to achieve both. That is, to elicit information from truthful (but not deceptive) suspects. This is achieved by providing all suspects with instructions informing them that detailed statements are easier to classify as genuine or fabricated. These instructions create an asymmetric information management (AIM) dilemma that can only be solved by truth tellers and liars adopting different verbal strategies during the interview. This talk will provide an overview of the emerging research with our main collaborators.

So far, the AIM technique has been examined in both police suspect interviewing and insurance contexts, as well as through online and in-person settings. The next stages of our research involves developing methods for enhancing the AIM’s effectiveness, as well as assessing the instructions robustness to counter measures.