Statement Content Analysis in the Vaal Triangle, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, Sasolburg, Meyerton

Statement Content Analysis in the Vaal Triangle (Vanderbijpark, Vereeniging, Sasolburg and Meyerton).

Statement content analysis also known as statement validity assessment is a way of exposing hidden information, missing information and the validity of provided information and forms part of a service provided by a polygraph assessment provider.

Statement content analysis is performed by a highly qualified investigator that searches for any clue in terms of void areas in the accused statement.  If any double-meanings or open areas are found, it is the responsibility of the investigator to interview the accused in search of the missing links.

Statement content analysis is an extremely intricate part of investigation as it is run on a principle that denying guilt is not the same as denying involvement in the crime.  In terms of denial, for the accused to make statements like “I did not do it”, “I am not guilty” or “I am innocent” as none of them actually mean that the person had nothing to do with the crime.

As the act of statement content analysis is such a detailed and difficult part of proving guilt, additional forms of analysis are often used in conjunction with statement content analysis.  One of the tools that have showed the best results is that of the accused body language analysis.

What is body language analysis?

Body language is the way in which the body communicates non-verbally and are seen in body posture, gestures, facial expressions and eye movements.  As it has been proven that humans unwillingly send out 93% body language and only 7% verbal communication according to their moods, body language along with statement content analysis is a powerful tool popularly used as evidence during interrogation or investigation of a suspect. Body language in itself can express valuable information such as aggression, frustration, boredom, relaxed and nervous emotions without a person saying one single word.

The combination of body language analysis and statement content analysis becomes a very powerful tool when used by the investigator that deciphers the actual message that is brought across from the accused.

Different types of body language portrayed include:

• Crossing arms across the chest means the accused is protecting him/herself from something or someone.
• Lack of eye contact is a sign of negativity or the person having a lack of confidence in what is being said.
• When the accused touches his/her face while talking it will mean that he/she is withholding information.

As factors like statement content analysis and tools like body language seem small, they could be the deciding factor on an accused’s guilt or innocence; therefore it is extremely important that a competent statement content analyst perform the task.