How to Get Someone to Confess

Vanessa Van Edwards demonstrates techniques to get people to reveal information and confess using body language analysis and lie detection methods.

Analysis of Amanda Knox's interview with Diane Sawyer regarding the death of Meredith Kercher, examining her body language for signs of deception.

• Nodding 'no' while verbally saying 'no' (contradictory signals) • Raised eyebrows indicating surprise • Swallowing before answers indicating intense nervousness • Stiff posture and rehearsed answers suggesting coaching

The first step in lie detection is baselining, which means observing someone's normal behavior when they are not nervous to establish a baseline for comparison.

Don't fill in silences during conversations. Waiting two beats after someone finishes speaking creates discomfort that prompts them to reveal more information.

When people are hiding something, the silence makes them nervous and they feel compelled to fill the void. Truthful people typically don't feel the need to fill silence.

If asking a teen about a cheating incident at school, after they respond, wait two seconds. If they're hiding something, they'll often continue talking and reveal more details.

This technique works for parents talking to teenagers, but also applies to conversations with real estate agents, lawyers, friends, spouses, and coworkers.

• Scooting your chair closer or stepping toward someone invades their personal space • This makes liars feel like you're onto them, prompting them to confess • Effective for real estate agents discovering undisclosed property issues

Nodding is a universal sign of agreement. When people see you nodding, they speak three to four times more, thinking you're listening and agreeing with them.

Use a quick three-count nod to encourage reticent teenagers or others to speak more. This signals you're listening, engaged, and expect them to continue talking.

• Leaning back indicates disengagement and skepticism • No nod or slight shake of the head signals you don't believe them • These signals can be used to push back on offers or proposals

Ask someone to tell their story differently: backwards, starting from the middle, or from another person's perspective. Liars struggle with this because they've memorized one version, while truthful people can easily adapt.

When asking about events, request details in reverse chronological order. Liars will show inconsistencies because they haven't rehearsed the story backwards, revealing gaps in their narrative.

Accuse someone of the worst possible thing. Liars want to protect themselves, so they'll correct you on the worst part while admitting to lesser wrongs. For example, mention both money and credit card theft; they'll deny the card but admit taking money.

Minimize the significance of the wrongdoing with empathy: 'I'd totally understand if you needed that money for prom. It's no big deal, just tell me.' This makes confessing feel safe and acceptable, lowering their resistance.