In my business determining when someone is telling the truth is important. There are a number of internet articles on reading one’s body language for truthfulness. Some helpful, some not so much. Here is what I have established over the years to be helpful in determining truth. These observations are not backed by science. They are only reflections of experience.

1. PEOPLE WHO LIE TEND TO TOUCH THEIR NOSE WHEN TELLING A LIE-I’ve read there is a bit of science behind this. It deals with the nose engorging and producing additional histamine during a falsehood. I have found this to be quite accurate.

2. PEOPLE WHO LIE MAINTAIN MORE EYE CONTACT WHEN TELLING A LIE-Their eye contact seems to be a forced eye contact. However, I have noticed individuals giving false statements tend to look to their right when breaking eye contact. When telling the truth they tend to break eye contact to their left. I am sure there is some cerebral science to document this finding.

3. PEOPLE WHO LIE TEND TO COVER CERTAIN PARTS OF THEIR BODIES WHEN TELLING A LIE-Quite often individuals will cover their throats or parts of their heads with their hands when giving a false statement.

4. PEOPLE WHO LIE TEND TO BREATHE HEAVIER WHEN TELLING A LIE-This is a no-brainer and I have found this to be true with the exception of habitual liars. They have grown so accustomed to telling lies their breathing is not affected.

5. PEOPLE WHO LIE BLINK THEIR EYES MORE SLOWLY WHEN TELLING A LIE-Once the lie is told, they go back to a more normal, or sometimes, rapid blinking pattern.

WHEN IN DOUBT, RELY ON YOUR OWN GUT FEELINGS. THOSE FEELINGS ARE USUALLY QUITE ACCURATE.