The Investigative Interview Institute® (I³)

Truth, Deception & Memory

Understanding Human Behavior, Communication, and Evidence-Based Information Gathering

Truth, Deception & Memory is an advanced evidence-based educational program that examines the complex relationship between human memory, communication, cognition, personality, and the scientific challenges associated with evaluating information obtained during professional interviews. Drawing upon contemporary research in cognitive psychology, neuroscience, forensic psychology, communication science, human factors, and investigative interviewing, the course provides professionals with a balanced scientific understanding of how truthful and deceptive communications are influenced by human cognition rather than relying upon myths, intuition, or unsupported behavioral indicators.

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Participants explore why memory limitations, stress, attention, perception, emotion, expectations, communication style, and post-event experiences influence both truthful and deceptive accounts. The program emphasizes that evaluating information requires careful consideration of the totality of available evidence while recognizing the natural strengths and limitations of human memory and behavior.

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The curriculum integrates contemporary scientific research with practical professional experience. A distinctive component of the course includes clinical insight from a practicing forensic psychologist whose eighteen-year career included thousands of forensic interviews with incarcerated individuals serving life sentences. Drawing upon extensive experience in forensic psychological assessment and DSM-5-informed clinical practice, participants gain an understanding of how personality structure, personality disorders, and other psychological factors may influence communication, interpersonal behavior, interview dynamics, and information gathering. The course emphasizes that clinical observations should inform professional understanding rather than serve as independent indicators of truthfulness or deception.

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Instruction combines scientific research, forensic psychology, executive education, case analysis, structured discussion, and professionally relevant examples to help participants critically evaluate information while minimizing cognitive bias, confirmation bias, interviewer influence, and premature conclusions. Rather than teaching "deception detection," the course develops a disciplined framework for evidence-based assessment of information obtained from human sources.

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Truth, Deception & Memory is applicable across numerous professional disciplines where critical decisions depend upon the quality and integrity of human information. Public safety and justice, aviation, healthcare and clinical care, human services, military and intelligence, corporate investigations, regulatory environments, workplace leadership, and research all benefit from a scientifically grounded understanding of the complex interaction among memory, communication, personality, and human behavior.

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At The Investigative Interview Institute (I³), Truth, Deception & Memory supports the Institute's broader mission of protecting memory integrity and advancing ethical, evidence-based methods for obtaining accurate information in high-stakes environments. Participants leave with a deeper appreciation for the scientific complexity of human communication and a disciplined approach to evaluating information that is grounded in research, ethical practice, and professional judgment.