No Good Liars
- By Website Editor
- •
- 19 Feb, 2020
Statement Analysis expert Mark McClish will help CC20 attendees find the fibbers among them
Mark McClish knows you’re lying -- not necessarily by what you say, but by what you don’t say. “The most common form of deception is omission,” says McClish. “Every word has a definition. Most of the time, people will give a truthful statement, but will leave something out that they don’t want us to know.”
The “us” in that statement could refer to McClish’s colleagues in the U.S. Marshals Office, where he spent 24 years tracking down federal and state fugitives. It could refer to his students at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy located at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center where he taught interviewing techniques for nine years. Then again, “us” could mean Advanced Interviewing Concepts, the company McClish founded in 2009 to provide interview skills training and assist investigators in analyzing statements. In October 2019, “us” could have been the 300 citizen detectives who attended CrowdSolve Seattle where McClish gave a crash course in deception detection.
And this May, “us” will mean “CrimeCon 2020 attendees.” McClish will take the stage in Orlando to tell attendees some secrets of the trade he helped establish when he literally wrote the book(s) about how to recognize deceptive statements. “What attendees will learn is how to be a good listener,” McClish explains. Many of us tend to assume that the best way to get the truth out of a subject is to pepper them with aggressive, prying questions. However, McClish explains that, given enough time, a liar will always reveal their secrets to a well-trained ear.
“People will always word their statements based on their complete knowledge,” he says. “The statements they provide will be true, but the words they use will give away a lie.” He tells the story of a police officer who was accused of planting pipe bombs and then claiming to find them, seeking the publicity and recognition associated with such a conquest. But something in the officer’s statement stood out: “He said ‘recovered’ instead of ‘discovered’,” McClish explains. “Some people say it’s cop talk, but ‘recovered’ means he placed the bombs and then went back to get them later. ‘Discovered’ means he happened to find them.” (For the record, McClish was correct and the officer admitted to the misguided deceit.)
So what, if anything, makes someone a good liar?
“There are no good liars, there are only bad listeners,” McClish insists. Remember: most lies are lies of omission. “Some are better at it than others, but so-called good liars will give short answers. They won’t volunteer information, but a good interviewer will realize what is happening and recognize that the subject is being deceptive.”
For decades, psychologists and researchers have identified nonverbal communication as one of the best indicators of deception, but McClish says that more law enforcement agencies and training centers are placing greater emphasis on linguistic analysis. “I, myself, teach about 50 classes to law enforcement agencies across the country every year,” he says. “The techniques are becoming more prominent.”
Even if attendees don’t leave McClish’s session with all the fib-busting power he has accumulated in 30 years, they will at least leave armed with enough info to recognize when they’re being lied to. In advance of his session, he offers one particularly handy warning: “If they invoke the name of God, your ears should perk up.”
CrimeCon Returns to London on 7th and 8th June 2025: A Must-Attend Event for True Crime Enthusiasts
Exciting news for true crime aficionados – CrimeCon is making its much-anticipated return to London on 7th and 8th June 2025! As the biggest UK event for those with a passion for the true crime genre, this is an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of crime, justice, and investigation, all set in the heart of the UK capital.
CrimeCon UK has built a reputation as the ultimate true crime experience, where enthusiasts, experts, educators and professionals come together to explore high-profile cases, delve into forensic science, and hear from those at the forefront of criminal investigation. 2025 promises to be the best event yet - being more captivating than ever before.
What to Expect at CrimeCon 2025
Building on the enormous success of past years, CrimeCon London 2025 will once again offer attendees exclusive access to leading criminal experts, investigative journalists, detectives, and true crime content creators. With a packed schedule of live panels, interactive discussions, and real-life case studies, this year's event is guaranteed to leave attendees with insights into some of the most talked-about cases and topical true crime themes. Not only this, CrimeCon UK puts victims and advocacy for justice at the heart of the event - making sure that CrimeCon is a platform for every story that needs to be told.
Here's a glimpse of what awaits attendees at CrimeCon 2025:
- Exclusive Interviews and Case Debriefs: Hear directly from those involved in some of the UK’s most intriguing and infamous criminal cases, hearing from those that were directly impacted by criminality.
- Meet Your Favorite True Crime Content Creators: The digital world has revolutionised the true crime genre, and CrimeCon will be bringing top content creators together to discuss their platforms, methods, and deep dives into unsolved mysteries.
- Interactive Exhibits and Forensic Workshops: Put your sleuthing skills to the test as you take part in immersive activities, which have, in the past, included forensic analysis and criminal profiling.
- Q&A Sessions with Experts: Get the chance to ask burning questions to investigators, criminologists, and legal professionals.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you're a die-hard true crime fan, a criminal justice professional, or just someone curious about the world of crime-solving, CrimeCon is perfect for you. The event brings together a diverse community of people who share a passion for exploring the darker side of humanity while discussing critical issues of justice and victim advocacy.
For those already familiar with popular crime podcasts, books, and documentaries, this is your chance to engage with the experts and learn more about the complexities behind these stories. CrimeCon offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.
Secure Your Spot
Tickets for CrimeCon London 2025 are expected to sell out fast, so be sure to grab yours soon. Various ticket packages are be available, offering different levels of access, from basic admission to VIP and Platinum experiences, where you can enjoy perks such as exclusive sessions with speakers, early access to certain events and enhanced event benefits.
To find out more and to book your tickets, click here. Don't miss out on being part of the most thrilling true crime event of the year!
Now is your chance to ensure your favourite true crime content from 2023 is recognised in the TCAs!
VIEWERS' CHOICE: Whether it's your favourite series, documentary film or influencer - make sure you submit your thoughts on your favourite on-screen true crime content today! Remember - only content released in 2023 is eligible and will be counted.
LISTENERS' CHOICE: All True Crime podcasts (that released content that is available in the UK during 2023) are eligible to be nominated so be sure that your go-to true crime podcast is recognised!
READERS' CHOICE:
Which true crime book caught your attention in 2023? As long as it was first published last year then it's eligible to be nominated, so cast your vote today!
Voting is now open and closes on 31st March 2024.
Those with the most votes will be recognised and awarded at the True Crime Awards which is scheduled to take place on 25th April 2024.
SERIES 5 EPISODE 2
AVAILABLE NOW
Damian Barr is joined by Shetland and Vera author Ann Cleeves to discuss her new novel, The Raging Storm. Lauren Lyle, star of the series Karen Pirie, reveals how she brings the Val McDermid character to life, and, on the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh talks about the ITV crime series and his latest novel, The Long Knives. True crime podcasters (and our very own Nancy Baughen) rate Truman Capote classic In Cold Blood, and crime readers at the Shetland Noir Festival in Lerwick recommend their favourite reads.
If you'd like to catch up and watch this incredible episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, click here.
