The Most Reliable Lie Detector, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the lie detector you think is the most reliable!

Updated on May 2, 2024 06:55

Determining the truth can sometimes be a complex challenge, particularly in nuanced situations where subjective judgments might prevail. A reliable lie detector serves as a crucial tool in many professional fields, such as law enforcement and security, aiding in the pursuit of facts. With various technologies and methodologies claiming effectiveness, establishing which is best often relies on collective user experiences and evidence-based assessments. Here, you can actively participate in shaping the rankings by casting your vote for the lie detector you trust the most based on your experiences or the credibility of their results. As votes accumulate, a dynamic list emerges, reflecting real-time preferences and opinions from a diverse community. This iterative process not only guides potential new users but also prompts manufacturers to continually improve their offerings.

What Is the Most Reliable Lie Detector?

1

53
votes
Polygraph

Polygraph is the most commonly used lie detector test and has been in use for almost a century. It measures physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and sweat gland activity. While it's not 100% accurate, polygraph tests are still considered the most reliable way to detect lies.
The Polygraph is a commonly used lie detector that measures and records various physiological indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and skin conductivity during a questioning session. It is based on the assumption that when individuals lie, they experience physiological changes that can be detected. However, it is important to note that the accuracy of the Polygraph has been widely debated.

Physiological Indicators: Blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and skin conductivity

Recording Method: Paper chart with pens attached to the subject's body

Interpretation: Done by a trained examiner based on physiological changes

Questioning Technique: Structured and specific questions are asked

Accuracy: Subject to debate and variation, accuracy varies between studies
2

36
votes
EyeDetect

EyeDetect is a new lie detector technology that uses computer analysis of eye movements to detect lies. It's non-intrusive and can be done remotely, making it a convenient option.
EyeDetect is a cutting-edge lie detector technology that uses an innovative approach to detect deception. It focuses on capturing and analyzing involuntary eye behavior to determine whether a person is telling the truth or lying.

Accuracy: Over 85%

Non-intrusive: No need for physical attachments or sensors on the body

Speed: Results provided within 30 minutes

Platform: Web-based software integrated with eye-tracking

Test Format: Computerized and standardized
3

24
votes
Brain Fingerprinting

Dr. Lawrence Farwell

Brain Fingerprinting is a newer technology that uses EEG readings to detect when a person recognizes specific information. It's still being studied and has not yet been widely adopted.
Brain Fingerprinting is a technique used for identifying specific information stored in an individual's brain by measuring and analyzing their brainwave patterns. It aims to detect whether a person recognizes specific information or not, by comparing their brain responses to stimuli associated with that information.

Accuracy: Over 99%

Non-Invasiveness: Non-invasive (EEG-based)

Objective: Does not rely on subjective interpretation of behavior or emotions

Scientific Validation: Backed by multiple peer-reviewed studies

Speed: Can generate results within a few seconds
4

11
votes
Voice Stress Analysis

Voice Stress Analysis measures changes in a person's voice when they're lying. However, it's not as reliable as other methods and can be influenced by factors such as stress or anxiety.
Voice Stress Analysis (VSA) is a technology used in lie detection that measures changes in the human voice to determine the level of stress or deception. It is based on the concept that when a person is being deceptive or under stress, their vocal cords and vocal tract undergo physiological changes that can be detected and analyzed.

Accuracy: VSA claims an accuracy of 90-95% in detecting deception.

Non-intrusive: VSA is a non-invasive method, as it only analyzes the voice without the need for physical contact with the subject.

Real-time analysis: VSA can provide immediate analysis and results during the conversation or interview.

Portable: Many VSA devices are portable and can be used in various settings.

Minimal training required: VSA devices are designed to be user-friendly and require minimal training for operation.
5

10
votes
M.R.W.HH at German Wikipedia · Public domain

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Seiji Ogawa

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging is fMRI measures changes in blood flow in the brain and can detect when a person is lying. However, it's not as widely available as other methods, and the cost can be prohibitive.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a technique used in neuroimaging to measure brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow. It provides a non-invasive way to study brain function and has become one of the most advanced brain scan techniques available today. The fMRI measures the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal, which indicates neural activity in different brain regions.

Resolution: Spatial resolution up to 1 mm

Temporal Resolution: Time resolution of a few seconds

Field Strength: Typically 1.5 Tesla or 3 Tesla

Functional Contrast: Detects changes in blood oxygenation levels

Scan Duration: Varies from minutes to hours depending on the experiment
6

13
votes
Arno / Coen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Thermal Imaging

Thermal imaging measures changes in body temperature and can detect when a person is lying. However, it's not as reliable as other methods and can be influenced by factors such as stress or anxiety.
Thermal Imaging is a lie detection technique that relies on measuring changes in temperature on the surface of the human body. It is based on the principle that when a person lies, there is often an increase in stress levels, which leads to changes in blood flow and consequently alters the temperature of certain areas of the body.

Accuracy: Thermal Imaging has shown a high accuracy rate in detecting deception, with some studies reporting levels of accuracy above 90%.

Non-Invasive: Thermal Imaging is a non-invasive technique that does not require physical contact with the subject, ensuring their comfort and reducing potential discomfort or stress.

Real-Time Results: Thermal Imaging provides real-time monitoring of temperature changes, allowing for immediate detection and analysis of potential deceptive behavior.

Objective Measurements: Using thermal imaging provides objective measurements of temperature changes, minimizing subjective interpretation and potential bias in the analysis.

Upgradable Software: Thermal Imaging systems often offer upgradable software for improved functionality, ensuring compatibility with new technologies and potential advancements in lie detection techniques.
7

15
votes
P300

P300 measures the brain's response to specific stimuli and can detect when a person is lying. However, it's not as widely available as other methods, and the cost can be prohibitive.
The P300 is a type of lie detector that measures brainwave activity known as the P300 event-related potential. It is commonly used in cognitive neuroscience research and has been adapted for use in lie detection.

Brainwave Activity: Measures P300 event-related potential

Accuracy: Typically around 80-90%

Signal Acquisition: Electroencephalography (EEG)

Stimuli: Presentation of target and non-target stimuli

Response Measurement: Subject's reaction time and brainwave response
8

12
votes
Cognitive Polygraph

Cognitive Polygraph uses a combination of physiological and psychological measurements to detect lies. While it's not as widely used as other methods, it has shown promise in studies.
The Cognitive Polygraph is an innovative lie detection technique that utilizes brain activity measurements to infer truthfulness or deception. It is based on the premise that the cognitive processes involved in answering questions differ between truthful and deceptive responses, and these differences can be detected and analyzed.

Accuracy: Achieves an accuracy rate of over 90% in detecting deception.

Brain Imaging: Uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity.

Cognitive Processes: Focuses on analyzing cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and decision-making to identify deception.

Real-time Monitoring: Enables real-time monitoring of brain activity during the questioning process.

Objective Analysis: Relies on objective analysis of brain activity patterns rather than subjective interpretation.
9

3
votes
Electroencephalography (EEG)

EEG measures changes in brain activity and can detect when a person is lying. However, it's not as widely available as other methods, and the cost can be prohibitive.
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that measures the electrical activity of the brain. It involves the placement of multiple electrodes on the scalp to detect and record the brain's electrical impulses, providing valuable insights into brain function and activity.

Non-invasive: Yes

Measure brain electrical activity: Yes

Detection method: Electrodes on the scalp

Spatial resolution: Limited to the scalp surface

Temporal resolution: In the millisecond range
10

8
votes
Ultrasonic Vocal Analysis

Dr. Raul Vicenti

Ultrasonic Vocal Analysis measures changes in vocal frequency and can detect when a person is lying. However, it's not as reliable as other methods and can be influenced by factors such as stress or anxiety.
Ultrasonic Vocal Analysis is a lie detection technology that analyzes ultrasonic vocalizations to detect deception. It uses advanced algorithms to interpret the subtle changes in vocal characteristics that indicate whether someone is lying or telling the truth.

Accuracy: Over 90%

Detection Method: Ultrasonic vocal analysis

Frequency Range: 20 kHz - 100 kHz

Data Processing: Real-time analysis

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Highly sensitive

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Discussion

Ranking factors for reliable lie detector

Accuracy

The accuracy of a lie detector is a key factor in determining its reliability. A reliable lie detector should be able to accurately detect deception in a majority of cases.
Sensitivity

A reliable lie detector should be sensitive enough to detect even the slightest changes in physiological responses that indicate deception.
Specificity

A reliable lie detector should be able to distinguish between true and false positives, meaning that it should not flag honest individuals as liars.
Validity

A reliable lie detector should be scientifically validated and tested to ensure that it measures what it claims to measure.
Reliability

A reliable lie detector should produce consistent results across different administrations and conditions.
Non-invasive

A reliable lie detector should not cause physical harm or discomfort to the individual being tested.
Cost-effectiveness

A reliable lie detector should be cost-effective and not require significant resources to administer.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most reliable lie detector. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or detector is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1925 views
182 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each detector once every 24 hours. The rank of each detector is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most reliable lie detector

Background Information: The Quest for a Reliable Lie Detector The search for a reliable lie detector has been ongoing for centuries, as humans have always been fascinated by the idea of being able to determine if someone is telling the truth. In the past, various methods were used, such as torture, divination, and even trial by ordeal. However, with the development of modern technology, more scientific methods have been devised. The most commonly used lie detector test today is the polygraph, which measures physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. However, the accuracy of polygraph tests has been a subject of debate for decades, with some experts claiming that they are unreliable and can be manipulated. As a result, alternative methods have been developed in recent years, such as the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and the Electroencephalogram (EEG) tests. These methods are based on the premise that lying involves cognitive processes that can be detected by measuring changes in brain activity. Despite the promise of these new methods, they are still in the experimental stage and have not yet been widely adopted by law enforcement agencies. The quest for a reliable lie detector continues, but for now, the polygraph remains the most commonly used method.