How to spot if someone is lying to you using a computer?

Researchers at the University of Buffalo have developed a special software that focuses solely on the subject’s eyes, monitoring the movements of the pupils, which determines if someone is telling you the truth or attempting to pull the wool over your eyes.

Scientists recorded a series conversations in which a number of lies were told.

And having tested their program against a trained human interrogator, they found that the software had a higher success rate.

While the specially-trained examiner correctly identifies 65% of false statements, the computer recorded an impressive 82.5% reading.

Assistant professor Ifeoma Nwogu said: “What we wanted to understand was whether there are signal changes emitted by people when they are lying, and can machines detect them?”

The study centred around conversations in which subjects could chose whether or not to steal a cheque, before later being questioned on their decision.

A wide range of individuals were selected, with varying skin colors, age and height with someone even wearing glasses in an attempt to conceal their lies.

Despite most of those interviewed being caught out, there were a select number who managed to keep their eye movements to a bare minimum, which consequently resulted in the wrong conclusions.

Now scientists plan to carry out additional studies on a larger scale, with a long-term view to developing a system that could work alongside human interrogators.