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• SIGNS OF LYING ​

  Verbal clues to deception to deception include not only the spoken word, but also gestures of acknowledgment, such as nod of the head. When a deceptive person avoids a truthful answer by supplying evasive answer, he or she does so as an attempt to reduce the inner conflict created by not telling the truth​
• Methods of responding to the question - many clues to deception can be found in the way the respondent answer the question. Truthful people tend to be direct; untruthful people tend to be circumspect about the answer. ​
• Length of time before giving response - in general, truthful persons answer question quickly; untruthful persons take their time in giving response. There may be an awkward silence, or the respondent may use a delaying tactic, such as “who me?” or “why should I do”.​
• Repetition of question - repeating the question is another means for the deceiver to gain time to frame his or her answer. The question may be repeated verbatim, or the respondent may frame the answer with a request the question. Example; “what did you say again? Or are you asking me if I took Kickbacks? A truthful subject does not have to contemplate his or her answer. ​
• Fragmented or incomplete sentences- a liar will often speak in fragmented or incomplete sentences. This is usually because he or she has commenced the answer, and then thought better of it. Statements such as “I. . . I. . . can’t think.. it seems to me... can be clues of lying.​
• Being overly polite - most people, when wrongly accused of something they didn’t do, don’t take the accusation lightly. Anger is a common response to an unjust accusation, as well as answering the statement with a “no”. Untruthful subjects are more likely to be polite to the accuser, using flattering terms such as “sir” or “maam”. The suspect who has been accused and is untruthful will often say, “sir, no offense to you, but I didn’t do it”.​
• Oaths - untruthful persons will frequently recite oaths, such as “I swear to God I didn’t do it” or “I swear on my Fathers grave”. Most truthful person do not need to swear or affirm; they are vehement in their denials.​
• Clarity of response - truthful persons tend to be very clear in their response, while untruthful persons tend to mumble, talk softly, and diffuse their answers. Such responses are to avoid the stress caused by an untruthful response; the liar is hedging. In that way, if caught in a lie, the earlier “soft” response may aid in diffusing the lie. ​
• Use of words - truthful subject have no trouble denying the allegation in specific terms, while untruthful one will have problems with the wording used. 
• Assertiveness -  truthful people will respond directly without waiver or qualification; untruthful people tend to respond indirectly with waivers and qualification. ​
• Inconsistencies - liars get caught up in their own web of deceit. ​

  k. Slips of the tongue- Liars, as Freud discovered, quite often slip up and reveal themselves through a “slip of the tongue” ​
• Tirades - may be in direct proportion to the stress generated in the lie, and occur at a time of anger or other strong emotion.​
• Pauses - pauses in speech patterns may be one of the more reliable clues to deception. The examiner should evaluate pauses in speech that are too long, too frequent, or which occur at inappropriate places more closely. ​
• Speed of speech - peoples who are nervous or upset frequently increase the speed of their speech words tend to run together and the conversation can be disjointed. A pattern of increased speed of speech during the relevant portion of the questioning could indicate deception. ​
• Non-verbal clues are caused by the same reason that verbal clues are; increased stress.

  Non-verbal clues include patterns in the body movements as well as certain facial expressions.​

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• Emblems - are expressions made with the body, whose meanings are clearly understood. The universal “thumbs up sign” is an emblem, as well as the circled finger and thumb to indicate okay. ​
• Illustrators - are motions, primarily by the hands, to illustrate a point jabbing your finger in the air.
• Manipulators - are mostly habitual behaviour of touching one’s self. Manifestations include grooming the hair, wringing the hands, picking imaginary lint from a coat. ​
• Breathing - although an involuntary movement, is very much affected by stress. Many persons, under prolonged periods of stress, hyperventilate. ​
• Sweating - excessive sweating could be very well indicate an involuntary reflex with deception. ​
• Frequent Swallowing - a dry mouth frequently accompanies deep emotion. Often the witness is not aware of increased efforts a swallowing.​