New emotion detector can see when we're lying

[Gerald]

A sophisticated new camera system can detect lies just by watching our faces as we talk, experts say.

The computerised system uses a simple video camera, a high-resolution thermal imaging sensor and a suite of algorithms.

Researchers say the system could be a powerful aid to security services.

It successfully discriminates between truth and lies in about two-thirds of cases, said lead researcher Professor Hassan Ugail from Bradford University.

The system, developed by a team from the universities of Bradford and Aberystwyth in conjunction with the UK Border Agency, was unveiled today at the British Science Festival in Bradford.

This new approach builds on years of research into how we all unconsciously, involuntarily reveal our emotions in subtle changes of expression and the flow of blood to our skin.

We give our emotions away in our eye movements, dilated pupils, biting or pressing together our lips, wrinkling our noses, breathing heavily, swallowing, blinking and facial asymmetry. And these are just the visible signs seen by the camera.

Even swelling blood vessels around our eyes betray us, and the thermal sensor spots them too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-1490080

Note:13 September 2011 Last updated at 12:26 GMT

[August]

Just think what this will do to the game of poker! :o

[flatsixes]

Worst idea ever. Imagine, if you will, one of these cameras turned on your government representatives. Your employees. Your spouse. Yourself. Lying is as much a part of human nature as going to the bathroom, and (in most instances) just about as harmful.

I hate it when people lie to me (and being a lawyer, almost everybody lies to me, clients included). But this experience also means that almost nobody gets away with lying to me, unless I allow it. And I allow it all of the time, otherwise I'd soon have no clients, and probably no friends either.

Is lying wrong? Of course! But lying under oath about who shot John isn't the same as fibbing to your boss about why you're 15 minutes late ("My car broke down" is so much easier and pleasant(for all concerned) than a detailed (but true) description of your hemorrhoid flare-up, yes?).

Anyway, unless they confine the application of this device to potential terrorists, we're all doomed. DOOMED I say.

[vienna]

From Mark Twain:

Lie--an abomination before the Lord and an ever present help in time of trouble.
- 3/30/1901

I would rather tell seven lies than make one explanation.
- Letter to John Bellows, 11 April 1883

Carlyle said "a lie cannot live." It shows that he did not know how to tell them.
- Mark Twain's Autobiography; Mark Twain in Eruption


Twain's essay "On the Decay of the Art of Lying":

http://grammar.about.com/od/60essays/a/lyingessay.htm


Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain on lies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnF-7bqyKuo

[Jimbuna]

So what is it telling you now? :DL

[vienna]

I wonder if C-SPAN would turn this technology on Congress?...

Imagine: a totally empty Senate and House...

[breadcatcher101]

Hundreds of years from now they will look back at this new tech and think it as barbaric as we do the procedures used way back to determine the guilty during the witch trials.

On the other hand, maybe the thing for politicians.

At least it should cut back on their speeches and such.

[flatsixes]

From Mark Twain:

I would rather tell seven lies than make one explanation.
- Letter to John Bellows, 11 April 1883



Hear hear.:up: