The EAPL conference in Cyprus is going to offer a workshop on deception detection hosted by Dr. Stephen Porter (with the help of Julia Shaw). More information, including the date and how to register, will be announced as it becomes available. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: Monday, April 9th, 2012, from 9:00-16:00.

Workshop summary

Deception is a common element of human social interaction and occurs all too frequently. Yet, without training, most people (professionals and laypersons alike) “flip a coin” when attempting to catch liars. However, psychological science has revealed behavioural cues that are reliably associated with deception and can be observed by the trained eye. Research by the presenter has demonstrated that empirically-based training can lead to a substantial improvement in deception detection ability. This workshop will offer comprehensive, evidence-based training in detecting deception, through lecture, practice, feedback, and analyses of real-world videotaped examples of highly motivated deceivers. Part 1 of the workshop focuses on “myth-busting”, how to avoid common pitfalls, and the need for critical thinking. A theoretical model and a false murder conviction case (Stephen Truscott) in Canada will be used to demonstrate how such pitfalls occur. Part 2 of the workshop will address the assessment of deception by close attention to: body language, facial expressions, and statements as in police investigations in which the presenter has been consulted. Further, active interviewing strategies aimed at enhancing deception detection ability will be described. This training will serve as a practical guide to enhance participants’ ability to detect lies in the workplace and everyday life.

The workshop will be hosted on Monday, April 9th, 2012 from 9am to 4pm.

Early registration (before March 31st, 2012): $200 per person ($125 student rate)

Late or on-site registration (after April 1st, 2012): $250 per person ($175 student rate)

To register for this workshop: Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Instructors:

Dr. Stephen Porter is a professor of psychology and the Founding Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Psychological Science & Law (CAPSL) at UBC. He has published numerous scholarly articles on deception detection, body language, and criminal behaviour. Dr. Porter is frequently consulted by Canadian courts and has been qualified as an expert witness in various areas, including "dangerousness and risk for violence" and "memory and the factors involved in credibility assessments". Dr. Porter has given numerous workshops in deception detection to law enforcement, mental health professionals, government agencies, journalists, trial judges, private investigators, worker'ʹs compensation boards, and the public. Further, he is regularly consulted by police in serious crime investigations and has provided empirically‑supported training in deception detection to law enforcement, hundreds of trial judges, mental health professionals, and adjudicators.

Julia Shaw is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, where she regularly teaches courses on forensic psychology. Besides presenting at numerous international conferences and assisting with training professionals in deception detection, she is involved in evaluating local court-ordered offender diversion programs.