Below is a list of deception indicators that Holmes listened for while strangers’ spoke. Listen and use them along with the stranger’s body language to arrive at the truth. Strangers may use the following deceptive verbal clues while speaking to you:

1. They repeat the question you ask.
2. They hesitate or pause a lot while speaking.
3. They talk too much or too little during conversation.
4. They become defensive when you discuss certain topics.
5. They verbally distance themselves from the subject.
6. They use qualifying speech: “To best of my knowledge.”
7. They are too specific in explaining their story.
8. They blame someone else to draw attention away from themselves.
9. They cannot tell their story backwards.
10. They do not match their words and actions together