Hiding Those Lying Eyes Just Got Harder

ROCHESTER, Minn., Jan. 4 -- High-definition thermal imaging equipment detected lies with more than 80 percent accuracy in a Mayo Clinic study.
Heat patterns in the face change dramatically when a subject is lying, and a new technology that detects subtle changes in metabolism can significantly help authorities spot deception, according to researchers.
A team led by James Levine, M.D., a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, and supported by Ioannis Pavlidis, Ph.D., of Honeywell Laboratories, based its work on the concept that people about to perform deceptive acts give off physiological signals, such as excessive blood flow to certain areas of the face, particularly around the eye sockets.

Clinical trials of the technology were conducted using a mock crime scenario. The thermal imaging system correctly categorized 83 percent of the subjects as guilty or innocent.

"The technology represents a new and potentially accurate method of lie detection," said Levine. "The development holds promise for practical application in high-level security operations such as airport security and border checkpoints."