/ Modified oct 12, 2018 3:45 p.m.

Sensor System Gives UA Researchers More Ways to Detect Lies

The system measures hundreds of cues that point to deception.

Lie Detection Eye tracking is among the methods used by an advanced sensor system that could assist lie detection.
TobiasD, Pixabay

Uncontrollable eye movements and an increased pulse rate are among the ways to find out if someone is telling the truth. But University of Arizona information management professor Jay Nunamaker notes computer technology has identified 500 such cues using a lie-detection system called Avatar.

Nunamaker says that's far too many for anyone to mask.

"The average person can maybe manage two or three at a time, and with a computer, it’s virtually unlimited," said Nunamaker.

Avatar uses sensors embedded in an interview kiosk screen. According to Nunamaker, eye tracking and pupil dilation are among the physiological and behavioral patterns tracked by the system. "And when people try to avoid the obvious by looking off the screen, they immediately get flagged," he said.

Nunamaker says further development could lead to the system being used at airport terminals and border crossings.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona