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Statement Analysis Unique Words

The document discusses how the word 'never' is often used by deceptive people when making a denial. It is easier to be dishonest using 'never' than directly telling a lie. The article provides examples of people using 'never' instead of directly answering yes or no questions, indicating deception. It explains that 'never' does not necessarily mean 'no' and should not be substituted for a direct denial.

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122 views2 pages

Statement Analysis Unique Words

The document discusses how the word 'never' is often used by deceptive people when making a denial. It is easier to be dishonest using 'never' than directly telling a lie. The article provides examples of people using 'never' instead of directly answering yes or no questions, indicating deception. It explains that 'never' does not necessarily mean 'no' and should not be substituted for a direct denial.

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Unique Words: “Never” | Detecting Deception Using Statement Analysis | Blifaloo.

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Interesting Info -> Lying Index -> Statement Analysis -> Unique Words: Never

Unique Words: “Never”

Detecting Deception Using Statement Analysis®

By Mark McClish – StatementAnalysis.com

Introduction by Blifaloo:

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Guest author Mark McClish is a retired Deputy United States Marshal, and an expert in detecting
deception with his interviewing techniques.

Unique Words – “Never”

When analyzing a statement, there are several unique words that can provide you with additional
information and show you if the subject is being deceptive. Some of these words are unique based on
their definition, while others are unique based on years of observations. The word “never” is often used
by deceptive people when making a denial. This is because people do not want to lie. Therefore, they
will choose the easiest form of deception. It is easier for a person to be dishonest using the word
“never” as opposed to directly telling a lie by saying “I didn’t do it.” For example, if a person was asked if
he took the money he may state, “I would never do that.” In addition to recognizing the use the word
“never,” we also see the person did not deny the action. He did not say he did not take the money. He
only stated this is something he would in no way do.
The word “never” means “not ever.” If a person was asked if he “ever” cheated on his taxes, it would be
appropriate for him to respond, “I have never cheated on my taxes.” The use of the word “never” would
be correct since he was asked if he “ever” defrauded the government. He is replying that he has “not
ever” cheated. The word “never” does not mean “no.” Therefore, you cannot substitute the word
“never” for the word “no” which is something deceptive people like to do. Consider the following
question and answer: Question: “Did you sell him drugs?” Answer: “I never sold drugs.” Because the
word “never” is a negative word, it sometimes fools the interviewer into believing the subject has
answered the question and denied the accusation. This question requires a “yes” or “no” answer. The
subject chose to answer the question using the word “never” instead of using the word “no.” This shows
us the subject is most likely being deceptive. Although he gave an answer, he did not answer the specific
question. He did not state, “No, I did not sell him drugs.” We see a similar use of the word “never” with
former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In March of 2006, she was asked about the possibility of her
running for President. Question: “Would you consider running for President in 2008?”

Rice: “I have never wanted to run for anything. I don’t think I even ran for class anything when I was in
school.” Rice used the word “never” as a substitute for the word “no.” She is not necessarily being
deceptive but is giving a good political answer. If she were to have said “no,” that would probably end
any Presidential dreams she may have had. If she would have answered the question with a “yes,” that
would have caused a firestorm amongst the press. So, she chose to remain in the middle of the road.
She gave an answer that sounded like she was saying “no” but in reality she did not say “no.” Her
answer tells us that part of her wanted to run for President. John Connolly is a former FBI agent who in
the 1970s developed Boston Irish mobster James “Whitey” Bulger into an informant. Bulger was a
valuable asset in helping the FBI dismantle the Italian Mafia in the Boston area. Connolly retired from
the FBI in 1990. With Connolly gone, the FBI stopped using Bulger as an informant and instead turned
their attention to his illegal activities. Their investigation uncovered that over the years Connolly had
accepted bribes from Bulger and falsified reports about Bulger. In 1999, Connolly was indicted on these
charges. That same year, Dateline NBC profiled John Connolly’s case. Correspondent Dennis Murphy
asked Connolly the following questions: Murphy: “Did you go too far over the line?” Connolly:
“Anyone in my business, that knows what they’re doing, knows enough to walk up to that line but to
never step over it.”

Murphy: “And you didn’t?” Connolly: “I never stepped over that line.” In the first answer, Connolly
states that “anyone” in his business knows not to cross that line. The problem is he did not tell us that
he did not cross that line. In his second answer, Connolly clearly uses the word “never” as a substitute
for the word “no.” In 2002, Connolly was convicted of racketeering, obstruction of justice and lying to an
FBI agent. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The use of the word “never” does not automatically
mean a person is being deceptive. There are correct ways one can use the word. For example, I can
state, “I have never been skydiving” because it is a truthful statement. However, if a person uses the
word “never” as a substitute for the word “no,” it is a strong indication the person is withholding
information and possibly being deceptive.

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