A new test shows that when a person doesn’t tell the truth, it in fact changes temperatures in their head and face, causing one’s nose to get smaller in size.
Scientists say the new detection device for lies can recognize small changes in temperature, making this a more accurate test than the standard polygraph.
It has been revealed that the nose actually shrinks due to a temperature drop while the head temperature increases. The size amount is very minimal and cannot be seen by just looking at one’s nose. The bigger the difference between the two areas in temperature shows a higher chance of lying.
“One has to think in order to lie, which raises the temperature of the forehead. At the same time we feel anxious, which lowers the temperature of the nose,” said Dr. Emilio Gómez Milán.
A trial was done with one group telling a lie and another group watching anxious causing footage. Both groups would have a level of stress. The group telling the lie had temperature drops in the nose. This was about an 80% success rate for lie detection.
‘With this method, we have achieved to increase accuracy and reduce the occurrence of “false positives”, something that is frequent with other methods such as the polygraph,’ said Dr. Milan.
Dr. Gomez has big hopes for the future with this new information and test.
‘The ideal case would be to combine both methods, strategic interviewing and thermography, moving our system to, for example, police stations, airports or refugee camps.”
