Stories
The skin-ny on lying
Volatile compounds emitted from skin may be the basis for the next lie detector. Detecting deception is important for ensuring the reliability of those who work with our nation's most sensitive materials and information.
Some Analytical Chemistry employees' contributions to a study on deception detection may one day help to further safeguard national secrets.
The study's purpose was to develop a technology for detecting lies through the analysis of physiological responses, and there is a scientific basis for the belief that deception can be identified through careful analyses of human action and response. For example, the polygraph is based on uncontrolled responses like respiration and heart rate, and other theories exist for changes in gestures, language or mannerisms.
The study, led by the Center for Human Reliability Studies (CHRS) at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, concluded that it may be possible to detect and characterize the natural volatile organic compounds emitted from human skin surfaces in response to stress.
According to Don Watkins of CHRS, “Such technology ultimately could provide a needed alternative technology to reduce the negative impacts of polygraph use and lead to greater acceptance of physiological testing of personnel with access to sensitive national security information.” Analytical Chemistry's new analytical methods were critical to the success of this project.